Posts Tagged ‘government’
Doesn’t a marriage license mean the government controls marriages?
Question: You said: “They imagine all sorts of nonsense regarding giving up rights, but the reality is that the government is serving as a repository of the covenant.” License is a prior restraint. It presumes that the activity is not a right but stems from the licensor (government in this case), is illegal otherwise and…
Read MoreThank you for posting such good material
Question: I just wanted to thank you for your good materials posted on your web site. Your article answering the question, “May Christians serve as punitive agents, such as soldiers or policemen, for the civil government?” was most helpful to me. I hope that you will continue your good wok in posting these things to…
Read MoreDo you know someone who will marry us without a state marriage license?
Question: I would like to get married without the state’s license and with a preacher, of course. Could you please help me find a preacher that would marry in my state? I would also like to obtain more information on this subject. Could I get some more information on how to be married legally or…
Read MoreEarly Christians and Abortion
by William J. Stewart Several years ago, with an election approaching, a candidate canvassing in our area stopped by my home seeking my support in his pursuit of public office. I politely, but firmly informed him that he would not receive my vote, as we had fundamental disagreements on important moral issues. We briefly discussed…
Read MoreIf you have evidence that your husband committed murder, should you tell the police?
Question: I have a friend who married a guy while he was in jail. She says she has evidence that her husband tried to murder a guy. He pleaded innocent, but the jury thought he was guilty. He still keeps his innocent plea. He is abusive toward his wife –verbally, mentally, etc. — gets angry,…
Read MoreHow are conflicts between military service and God’s will handled?
Question: I read the article on your web site about Christians and military service written by a friend of yours. It’s a question that I am grappling with right now. There are quite a few things in his article that I am compelled to question. One of them is the section under the GOVERNMENT (WE THE PEOPLE…
Read MoreWhy Is It?
by Gene Taylor Some things are difficult for me to understand. I am not referring to the sciences or mathematics, even though I could for they gave me a lot of trouble when I was in school—I am talking about some things that, on the surface, seem simple enough but yet often have me asking…
Read MoreWhy Have Penitentiaries Anyway?
by Samuel G. Dawson Most people realize that the court and penal systems in North America are seriously broken and must be fixed, yet contemplating doing away with penitentiaries sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Barely 200 years ago, an experiment began which has cost us untold billions of dollars. Just last year, this experiment resulted in…
Read MoreIs it right to deduct contributions from your taxes?
Question: Is it okay to deduct the money that is given to the church each week from your taxes when you file each year? Answer: The Scriptures teach that Christians should pay their taxes. “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).…
Read MoreDid the world governments do wrong attacking Afganistan?
Question: Following Jesus’ word and the fifth commandment, shouldn’t our duty be against any war? “You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the…
Read MorePolitical Issues
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PoliticalIssues.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 2:13-17 I. Should Christians be involved in the issues surrounding elections and the operation of our government? A. I’m not talking about a congregation endorsing a particular candidate or financing someone’s campaign. B. But should stands be made regarding issues which government officials debate? 1. For example: abortion, contraception for unmarried…
Read MoreHow do I decide who to vote for?
Question: My question has to do with voting. Since I am able to vote, are there any Bible verses for which I can turn to for deciding who to vote for? It is important for me to select the best candidate for running this country. Thanks! Answer: Christians ought to participate in their government. “Let…
Read MoreCan Christians choose not to pay an income tax?
Question: Recently, a man teaching a Bible class made the comment that “We as Christians can choose not to pay our income taxes with a clear conscience as it was an unconstitutional act when these taxes were brought into law” I disagree because my understanding is that Romans 13 and “rendering to Caesar what is due” teach that a…
Read MoreShould a woman head the government?
Question: I’ve perused your answered question section, and though this “Does I Timothy 2:11-12 only apply to the assembly?” answer touches on the subject somewhat, it doesn’t specifically address a question I have. What do you think the Bible’s teaching is on whether women can participate in government? With figures like Mrs. Bill Clinton and…
Read MoreIs driving over the speed limit sinful?
Question: Is driving over the speed limit for any reason sinful? What if someone says that they can drive over the speed limit if it helps them to get to worship service on time. Or what if there’s an emergency and someone needs to speed to the hospital? I see that Romans 13 tells us…
Read MoreIs it sinful to download movies or songs from the Internet?
Question: Like many people, I download movies and music and I was just wondering if that is considered stealing and therefore is a sin? Answer: Just because someone makes a movie or song available on the Internet, it does not imply that they had the right to do so. The Internet is not policed directly…
Read MoreWhat were the duties of a king?
Question: What did kings do as they were king? Answer: A king was responsible to God for the welfare of the people in his nation. He was the leader of the army in times of war (I Samuel 8:20). He was the final judge or highest court of appeals in judicial matters (II Samuel 8:15;…
Read MoreWe took vows before God, isn’t that enough to say we are married?
Question: Does God disapprove of my marriage? I have been with my (wife) for over 3 years now. I know that a marriage must have a witness for it to be true. The day we wed we were under the canopy of heaven (outside.) We asked God to be a witness to our union. Does…
Read MoreIs it right for a soldier to kill in war?
Question: Shortly after my fiance and I get married I will deploy to Iraq for the first time. I, being an infantry soldier, am trained to kill. It has always been a major concern of mine to kill in war, and I wonder if this is a sin recognized by God. I figured since and…
Read MoreIf your sin is also a crime, should you turn yourself in when you repent?
Question: In the example of the murderer, would God expect him to turn himself into the authorities if his crime was not known or found out? Answer: One aspect of repenting of sin is demonstrating a complete change in life. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow…
Read MoreShould a Christian serve in the military?
Question: Should a Christian serve in the military? Answer: I asked a friend, neighbor, and fellow Christian to address this question. I entered the Air Force in 1983 and have been a Christian for an even longer period of time. I am still serving my country and my God. Being in the military, like maybe…
Read MoreThe Legitimate Magnitude of Government
by Bryan Matthew Dockens The ideology of some, as clearly reflected in current events, favors a government that is practically unlimited in size and scope. Such political philosophy, however, does not reflect the wisdom provided in the scriptures. The legitimate function of government, as prescribed in God’s word, is limited to “the punishment of evildoers…
Read MoreGod and the Nations Today
by Homer Hailey The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 4, February 1952. As a thinking Christian reads his newspaper and magazines he cannot but reflect upon the question, “What part does God have in the nations of today; or, does He have any part?” I believe this question is definitely answered in the Prophets of the…
Read MoreAre you a 501C church?
Question: I ran across your site after my daughter asked me where can she find a clear and concise list of God’s statutes. I pondered that for a while and happened upon your explanation. It’s perfect. Thank you. As is stated in Isaiah, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line…
Read MoreDoes religious ethics do more harm than good?
Question: I think that more often than not religious ethics in government do more harm than good, for example: not funding stem cell research, trying to ban abortion, and outlawing gay marriage. Stem cell research could further science and medicine so much, but because of religious ethics, it’s on hiatus right now in America. Abortion…
Read MoreDo you think the American government would be better run by Christians?
Question: Do you think the American government would be better run by Christians? Do you agree with the separation of church and state? Answer: Those claiming to be followers of Christ generally hold to a higher moral standard than those who reject Christianity. Since the government is involved in ideas, such as justice between individuals,…
Read MoreWhat Makes a Good Ruler?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 4:8-27 I. Accepting the idea that Christians should vote when their government gives them the opportunity to do so, the question then turns to whom should we vote? A. Far too often we are presented with choices where it appears we must choose between the lesser of two evils B. I might…
Read MoreCan I tell you about a way to get married without government involvement?
Question: I noticed a guy wrote a piece about marriage claiming he didn’t need a piece of paper. He is right by all means; all you need is two witnesses and you can be married by American law. But if you do get a marriage license, you put your kids under government authority in such a…
Read MoreMaintenance
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 I. Come the beginning of the year people begin thinking of weight-loss programs and exercise regimens. A. It could be that with a new year, people want to get a new start in being healthier, but I suspect that all the overeating from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years…
Read MoreThe Reason For Regulations
by Stephen Harper Years ago, when I was in college, I had an assignment to write a formal paper on some aspect of how government regulations affected society. The paper could be on just about anything, so since I was interested in the automobile industry, I decided to write about how safety regulations had affected…
Read MoreTo Choose or Not to Choose
by Wayne S. Walker Women who claim the right over their bodies to choose abortion are violating the rights of another body within their own. A few weeks ago, we were driving in traffic behind a car with a bumper sticker that said, “Choice. What a Beautiful Right.” I assume that nearly everyone has seen…
Read MoreIf a country permits polygamy, is there a biblical reason not to have multiple wives?
Question: When I read the Old Testament, I find many passages glorifying men who had multiple wives, and, in fact, glorifying the possession of multiple wives. When I read the New Testament, I find nothing telling me, a man who doesn’t seek to become an elder or a deacon, from having multiple wives. I live…
Read MoreThe Kings of the Earth
by Wayne S. Walker “All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth’ (Psalm 138:4). While we understand that God’s greatest gift to mankind involves salvation through Jesus Christ, we know that His plan for our lives here on this earth also includes civil government…
Read MoreFreedom Under God
by Robert F. Turner via Guardian of Truth XL: 2 p. 1 January 18, 1996 Freedom … The word is almost sacred to the American people, and over the world today it stirs great hope and aspirations. Our Declaration of Independence calls it an “inalienable” right and a truth “self-evident.” What is the source of this freedom,…
Read MoreHands that Shed Innocent Blood
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The First Murder A. When do you think the first murder took place? B. Most people would guess Cain and Abel. C. Actually, it was earlier. Satan in the form of a serpent tempted Adam and Eve to sin. With that sin, they died. Gen. 2:17. D. Jesus remarked that Satan was a murderer from…
Read MoreWhy don’t Muslim believing governments allow their people to break Islamic law?
Question: Why won’t Muslim governments who won’t let their people do anything “un-Islamic” just back off, let the people do what they want, and if “Allah” wants anyone punished for it, let him do it for himself? It’s like they’re saying “Allah obviously can’t take care of things himself, so we’re going do it for…
Read MoreNotes on Civil Authority
Must be Obeyed Exodus 22:28 Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 Ecclesiastes 10:4 Ecclesiastes 10:20 Matthew 22:17-21 Romans 13:1-8 I Timothy 2:1-2 Titus 3:1 I Peter 2:10-17 II Peter 2:9-11 Inferior to God Acts 5:29 Will Prosper Under Morality Proverbs 11:11 Proverbs 14:34
Read MoreI don’t need a piece of paper to say I’m married
Question: I could argue that God doesn’t recognize a piece of paper saying if you’re married. I believe in His eyes my girlfriend and I are married, and if we left each other we would commit the sin of divorce. If living in sin with my girlfriend is my worst sin, I’ll gladly take it.…
Read MoreThe People of God: Their Attitude Toward the Social Order
by Ed Harrell Throughout history, in relating themselves to the world, the two options which Christians have most often pursued were to vigorously strive to control the world or to disdainfully withdraw from it. Some have dreamed that they would make their society “Christian,” necessarily defined in cultural and nationalistic terms, and have passed laws,…
Read MoreGod and the Nations
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 19:10-11 I. How involved in God in the activities of the nations? A. We know that God doesn’t change and from the teachings in the prophets of the Old Testament we find that God was heavily involved in the governments of various nations. B. If it was true then, we can…
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