Posts Tagged ‘government’
Is it wrong to report less than what something costs so as to pay less tax?
Question: I have some questions. Part of my job is running an importing business for my small shop. My supplier asked if she can lower the invoice price to make my tax smaller. Is this a sin? The people at the customs office offered me a cheaper solution to the taxes I pay. Instead of…
Read MoreI’m shocked at your stance regarding 501(c)(3) churches
Question: The web site is excellent. Someone worked very hard on the design. My question is your church a 501c3 church or a free church? More and more I am finding many of the New Testament churches have signed up to be a corporation and be under the IRS rather than the Lord. Even the…
Read MoreCan a Christian criticize society?
Question: Can a Christian be a social critic, such as a lawyer or a journalist dealing with a corrupt government? How far can he go in criticizing? Answer: John the Baptist ended up in jail because he told the current ruler that he wasn’t properly married. “But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a church to be incorporated?
Question: If a Christian does not want to attend an incorporated church because he says it’s wrong, is it right for him and his wife to worship alone on the Lord’s day because he says an incorporated church is in sin, and he cannot find a church that is not incorporated? Answer: A person cannot…
Read MoreWhy should we pray for a corrupt ruler?
Question: Christians say that God’s word says to pray for those in authority. What is the truth about praying for a leader who is against God’s word? A leader who is a liar. Who makes fun of the Bible? Who is haughty and greedy. A killer and a homosexual who is leading a nation to…
Read MoreCan a church register as a charitable organization to get grants from the government?
Question: Is it scriptural for a church of Christ to register as a charitable organization? By charitable organization, I mean being exempted from tax and duties, and receiving financial grants from the government in order to fund missionary projects, etc.? Is it good for a church of Christ to venture into this system? If not,…
Read MoreIs it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad?
Question: Is it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad? I had like one beer and got caught by my brother who’s a snitch. He took me home and my dad got mad and slapped me, but it wasn’t as if I was drunk. He didn’t have to hit me. Would it…
Read MoreWhat happens when people insist that the first day of the week is Monday?
Question: Many people today believe that a week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday, however, there are still other people who believe that a week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday. ISO 8601 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601#General_principles) defined Monday to be the first day of the week. What does the Bible say about which day is…
Read MoreShould a government that taxes its citizens at 99% be followed?
Question: Do you think that Christians should obey the tax law, even if the rules required that taxpayers must donate 99% of their income in taxes? Answer: This is a facetious hypothetical argument. The implication is that if the answer will object in the extreme, then it is justified to reject the point when it…
Read MoreAll Things in Common
by Bryan Matthew Dockens It has been argued that socialism is a divinely approved economic system exemplified in scripture. Proponents point to two passages as evidence of their claim: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had…
Read MoreHow could the Revolutionary War be justified in light of Romans 13?
Question: Can I ask your thoughts on something? Just a little while ago I read: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,…
Read MoreWhat passages of the Bible are connected to the laws of our government?
Question: It seems to me in the laws of the State there is a system of proportional justice based on the Bible. What passages can be directly connected to the laws of the State? What passages could be used to develop or support laws of the State which do not exist? Answer: Given the very…
Read MoreDoesn’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? (Taylor)
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 More