Posts Tagged ‘morality’
What if God tells you to do something horrible, do you do it?
Question: Hello, Often when I hear religious people talk about this or that person in the Bible doing something that God asked, the phrase “Because God said so” is emphasized. It is also talked about how there can be no morality without God, and questions like “If killing you made my life better, why shouldn’t…
Read MoreIs it wrong to avoid doing something because I don’t want to be embarrassed?
Question: Hello, I have a question. Is not wanting to be embarrassed a sin? Or is fearing what people would think of you a sin? I really think I had some form of OCD years back that I am now trying to fully rid out of my life. I had this habit of picking up…
Read MoreIs it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client?
Question: Is it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client? Answer: What lawyers focus on is not whether a client is guilty or not, but whether the government can prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, the lawyer makes a distinction between actual guilt and legally being found…
Read MoreMorality, The Government, and Christians
by Doy Moyer Moral statements and positions will, necessarily, impact political issues. This is not because morality is inherently political, but because the government has the task of recognizing the difference between good and evil, so moral issues will have to be dealt with (Romans 13:3-4). This means that, contrary to what is so often…
Read MoreShould a government legislate morality?
Question: I have had a question for some time now, and have found it difficult to find clear answers in the Scriptures. I know there are many Old Testament accounts, but as far as a New Testament church, it seems quite muddy to me: Should a government legislate morality? I attend a church that has…
Read MoreSince the Scriptures can be unclear, doesn’t it require an organization to state what is true?
Question: Scripture is unclear at times and at other times seems to be contradictory. With that in mind, there are many different interpretations from many different sources. So, my question is this; If what the Bible says is true, not according to personal interpretation, who or what organization is the true scriptural authority? It seems…
Read MoreHow do I decide what is acceptable? How do you deal with what you don’t know?
Question: Hello Brother Hamilton, I have two questions: As I grow as a Christian and as a musician, I’m having a hard time deciding what places are acceptable to visit to listen to music or play at. It seems like alcohol is served everywhere, now even at classical orchestra concerts during intermission. How do I…
Read MoreI so much appreciate your series of lessons entitled “Moral Principles for Young People”
Question: I so much appreciate your series of lessons entitled “Moral Principles for Young People”. The material is excellent. We are using the material as a study on Wednesday night for our teen class. The lessons are very practical and the kids enjoy them. Thanks for putting the series online! Answer: It is so good…
Read MoreYou’re in the Minority
by Wayne S. Walker One of the arguments often made by those who promote moral and social change away from God’s standards, for example in the matter of so-called “homosexual marriage,” is that “you conservative traditionalists are in the minority.” It is claimed that more and more people are “coming around” to support “homosexual marriage”…
Read MoreI’m having trouble not doing things I am unsure about
Question: I am having trouble not doing things that I am unsure about whether or not they are sinful, such as drinking soda, eating sweets, masturbation, and whether or not I should be playing certain card and video games. On the soda and sweets, I am wondering if I am harming my body by doing…
Read MoreWhen I am Old, Then I’ll be Good
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WhenIAmOldThenIllBeGood.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 25:1-13 I. In Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers we learn that salvation is available to all who will come to the Lord, no matter when it is done – Matthew 20:1-16 A. Jesus in his mercy chooses to treat all alike. B. When an elderly man wrote to me,…
Read MoreMajor Problems in Moral Purity
by Leslie Diestelkamp Truth Magazine II:8, pp. 2-3, 21 May 1958 Truth Magazine II:7, pp. 2-3, 23 April 1958 Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven.” By doing good the Christian bears fruit which, to the people of the world,…
Read MoreAbortion Is Seen as Morally Wrong, But Fewer Want the Laws Changed
Source: Dan Merica, “Survey: Few religious groups want Roe v. Wade overturned despite belief abortion morally wrong,” CNN, 16 January 2013. “Slightly more than half (54%) of white evangelicals, according to the Pew Research Center study, favor completely overturning the 1973 Supreme Court decision that affirmed a woman’s right to have an abortion. No other religious group,…
Read MoreHas Becoming a Christian Changed You?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/HasBecomingAChristianChangedYou.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:1-8 I. The Barna Group has done several surveys on the impact Christianity has on people’s lives. A. In May, 2006, a survey showed that 51% said that they had been greatly transformed by their faith. 1. I found that interesting because of what Jesus said – Matthew 7:15-20 2. An…
Read MoreThe Path I Choose
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/PathIChoose.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 5:19-23 I. In the book of Galatians, Paul has severely chastised the brethren for attempting to bind the Old Law on Christians A. It was a different gospel, not what they were taught – Galatians 1:6-9 B. Paul has stood opposed to such trends – Galatians 2:11-14 C. To live under…
Read MoreI am so tired of the hatred and violence. What can I do?
Question: Mr. Jeffrey, I really need your help with a lot of things! First of all, I know my life isn’t right and before I try to change other people I need to change myself first. I’m a Christian but yet I find myself still committing sins. I want to change this world! I want…
Read MoreYou Need Standards and Guidance to Reduce Risky Behavior
Source: “Research Finds Parallels Between Sexual Risk Avoidance Approach and Successful Public Health Campaigns to Prevent Teenage Drinking, Smoking, and Reckless Driving,” House Energy and Commerce Health Committee, 06 July 2012. Source: “A Better Approach to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Sexual Risk Avoidance,” U.S. House of Representative Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 2012. The Energy and Commerce Health…
Read MoreWere the man’s actions in Judges 19:22-24 wrong?
Question: Were the man’s actions in Judges 19:22-24 wrong? I’m sure it’s addressed on the website, but I searched for it and I think I just couldn’t think of the best way to search for it. Was it wrong for the man to offer his daughter like that? The passage doesn’t seem to say anything…
Read MoreIs sinning permitted if it serves a greater purpose?
Question: How do we reconcile Hosea 1:2, and I Corinthians 6:15-18? Is sinning permitted if it serves a greater purpose? e.g. Robin Hood scenario, etc. What makes something a “sin outside the body” compared to “against own body”, e.g. gluttony, etc. Answer: You appear to be assuming that Hosea sinned in marrying a prostitute. First,…
Read MoreDoes a mother have a role in the development of her son?
Question: I was wondering if a mother has a role in the sexual development of her son like the father. Answer: What the Bible indicates is that mothers are important to moral standards that a child grows up to accept. “Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness,…
Read MoreI received an unofficial CD containing songs I know are copyrighted. What should I do?
Question: A song leader from another congregation had burnt a CD from a group of people who recorded songs from the Hymns for Worship hymnal, to try and teach song leaders how to lead some of the less used songs in the book. He had given it to my grandpa years ago. It is copyrighted material. This…
Read MoreWould a true Christian make purchases from a company that uses a sinner for its spokesman?
Question: A member of the congregation was told by a friend that she is not a true Christian because she shops at JC Pennys and Ellen DeGeneres is a spokesperson for that company. She was told that a true Christian should not support a company that hires a lesbian to be their spokesperson. The member stated…
Read MoreFew answers to moral questions satisfied me until I found your sites
Question: I know this will probably be an extremely odd thing to you but I am writing anyway. I am a conservative Baptist in Nebraska. I have researched a good many things online and have been very disappointed at the decay I see. Very few answers have satisfied me – until I found you. The…
Read MoreYour information is making it easier for us to teach our youth and new converts not to be conformed to this world
Question: Your concepts about bringing the church in the New Testament are really nice to hear because nowadays churches are not giving emphasis enough that we must not be conformed to this world again. Now it will be easier for us to help in teachings our youth and new converts. Again, God bless all your…
Read MoreWhat happens when social issues and politics collide with the church?
Question: What is your opinion of where sinful social issues and politics collide in the church? To be honest, I am not sure where I am at on it. It seems that we are dangerously close to the Lord’s church being driven underground. Looking back at history we need to remember that the freedom and…
Read MoreIt is hard to study for a profession whose code of ethics encourages the support of immoral behavior
Question: Today, I ran across your web page concerning the errors of Catholicism. I believe in what you say because you provided scripture to support your claims. I greatly appreciate your site because it speaks the truth to people who need to know. I am a young, educated, single, Christian woman, currently attending graduate school in…
Read MoreHow do you handle assignments in class that have immoral content?
Question: Regarding a problem I’m having in college: I’m in a composition class that requires me to read literature that will sometimes involve sinful situations — things that I wouldn’t read if it was up to me. As well as I’m in an art class that probably will deal with Renaissance Catholic artwork, and it’s…
Read MoreWas Jael morally right in killing Sisera?
Question: I was wondering about Jael. Was what she did right? It’s shocking to our modern sensibilities (or at least to mine) to read the story as presented in Judges 4. And yet Deborah and Barak (who seem to be relatively moral people?) praise her for everything she did in Judges 5.24-27. Just curious how…
Read MoreAre cartoons dangerous?
Question: Now I have a question concerning cartoons. I know the eye is a window into the soul and you should only do what is just, what is pure, and what is worthy; I know that. My question is if watching cartoons such as Dragonball Z or Pokemon really a sin? There are people who…
Read MoreHow can I tell if I am right or wrong?
Question: How would I be able to judge if what I am doing is right or wrong? There are some things that are not in the Bible, or let us say there are things that the Bible does not fully cover as a topic. A good example can be pornography. Although the Bible doesn’t say…
Read MoreHow can non-Christians be nice people without the Spirit?
Question: I am studying the fruits of the Spirit. In fact, I am scheduled to give a talk on it this Sunday. I’m confused about something. We all know people who are not Christians and are nice people. Not the nasty, evil person that Paul talks about before going into the fruits of the Spirit. …
Read MoreHow do we determine who is right and who is wrong when everyone claims to take his stand from the Bible?
Question: How do we determine who is right and who is wrong when everyone claims to take his stand from the Bible? For example, what is the appropriate time for holy communion? Some believe it is evening while some believe it could be any time. Does the timing determine our eternal destiny? Also, can I…
Read MoreThe Immorality of Atheism
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ImmoralityOfAtheism.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:28-32 I. Atheism is a religion of destruction A. Its adherents try to destroy the belief system of any contrary belief system 1. It demands proof from others while believing that giving no proof of its own is somehow “proof” 2. As an example, “Prove there is a God” is never…
Read MoreWhy Did God Have Children Killed?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WhyDidGodHaveChildrenKilled.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 15:1-9 I. Some questions, by their very nature are difficult topics to take up. The things discussed make us queasy. A. Yet, you will find that those opposed to Christianity will often attack with these same topics for the very reason that they know it makes you uncomfortable.…
Read MoreThe Sacrifice of Isaac
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/SacrificeOfIssac.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 22:1-14 I. There are stories that cause some concern because they involve the concept of sacrificing a human being to God. A. They cause concern because the Bible is very clear about God’s opinion on human sacrifices. B. The slaying of humans invokes a death sentence – Genesis 9:5 C. False…
Read MoreWhy did God order the death of children?
Question: The Bible identifies, describes, and labels God in many ways. God is love, He is the redeemer, the savior, the beginning, the all-knowing, etc. God is also perfect and the Bible also says that God is a Judge, a righteous Judge above all. A righteous Judge administers the most fair and the most just methods…
Read MoreMusic, Movies, and Maturity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/MusicMoviesAndMaturity.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreIf you repented of past sexual sins, is it wrong to wear a purity ring?
Question: If you have had “relations” with someone, but have asked forgiveness and seen the errors of your ways and want to rededicate yourself to God, would it be considered wrong to wear a purity ring or something along those lines? Answer: If you are doing so to make it appear that you are something…
Read MoreWhat if the used software I bought doesn’t allow for resale? What should I do?
Question: Hi. This may seem like an odd question. In the past, I have bought used computer games, sold computer games, and installed computer games on my computer. My brother bought and games that were my stepdad’s. According to the terms of agreement in many computer software, you do not own the software and are…
Read MoreAre all violent video games wrong?
Question: A while back we discussed video games and movies, and I mentioned that my husband is an avid video game player. Anyway, I know the violence is wrong in games, but what if the characters that you are fighting in a game look more like animals or impossible-looking monsters, then is it still bad? It’s…
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