Doesn’t telling children to obey their parents enable abusers?

Question: I completely disagree that you would teach obeying parents to children or people at your church.  Honor does not mean “obey” and if a child or adult is being abused by their parent, they should not obey. You may want to rephrase your messages on your website unless you are enabling abusers within your congregation. Answer: See: Do…

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Do you have to submit to an unqualified elder?

Question: Should members of the church be submissive to the elders even though the elders do not meet the qualifications? There are five elders and four of them are not qualified due to the following: widower, children not faithful, etc. Answer: When someone says they don’t want to be submissive, the implication is that they…

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Should women submit to female leaders in the church?

Question: I am a young woman. I was wondering, what do you think about women having to submit to female leadership or authority within the church? I feel at times that this is not something that is strictly required or expressed in words, but this is something that on more or less, silently, at least…

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Should 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…

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Is honoring another person’s request submission?

Question: Good morning.  I was reading your web page on submission.  I am trying to find out more about submission and I have a specific scenario and I am wondering if you can help me. My boyfriend and I had an argument this morning about submission.  We are in a committed relationship and seeking God’s will…

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Give It Up!

by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 3, Jan. 16, 2009. Toward the end of WWII, it was obvious to everyone that the Japanese empire was on its last legs. It was only a matter of time before the Japanese would be beaten. But, with a strict code of honor and battle, most Japanese…

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Should Wives Call Their Husbands “Lord”?

by Sam Stinson “For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” (I Peter 3:5-6, ESV). Someone suggested that if…

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Are women less than men?

Question: Are women less than men? Because the Bible says it’s disgraceful for a woman to talk in the church. Seems like she’s something dirty. Answer: I wonder about the question because I don’t believe you think your mother or any other woman is inferior. It leaves me with the conclusion that you don’t want…

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Relying on God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/RelyingOnGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         The afternoon news and talk show featured a short debate over a recent story. The parents of eleven children had two of their children die. One died from untreated diabetes. The other died from complications of an untreated ear infection. The parents believed firmly in the power of prayer and…

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Must a Christian wife obey her non-Christian husband?

Question: The Bible states that a woman should obey her husband, but what if he is not a Christian husband? He believes in Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit, but he does not set forth a Christian lifestyle. I know a woman can still be religious on her own and believe in the Lord and…

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Lessons from Jonah

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         The book of Jonah is unique among the prophets             A.        The emphasis of the story is upon the messenger instead of the message.             B.        We learn lessons from the actions of the prophet, instead of the message he delivered.             C.        The tale of a man being swallowed and living three days in a great…

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Should women use head coverings when praying?

Question: Should women use head coverings when praying? Answer: Consider also this similar question: Is it proper for a man to pray while his head is covered? The overall point in I Corinthians 11:1-16 is a discussion concerning authority, leadership, and submission. Paul states, “I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ,…

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Why do some women not wear a head covering?

Question: Why do women in the church of Christ overseas don’t cover their heads during worship? Is there any difference between Nigerian women and your own people? Nigerian women who worship with your people discovered that they do not all cover their heads during worship. Answer: I’m not in a position to speak for all…

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What is the purpose of praise and worship?

Question: What is the purpose of praise and worship? Answer: The word “worship” means to honor and give respect to a divine being or supernatural power. God claims worship as His exclusive right. “For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matthew 4:10). And yet through…

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The Rebel’s Cause

Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-15   I.         Israel – the name means “one who wrestles with God”             A.        Jacob received the name when he wrestled with an angel, asking for a blessing – Genesis 32:24-28             B.        It became the trademark of his descendants – Deuteronomy 9:7, 24             C.        One that lasted their entire existence as a nation – Ezekiel 2:3-5…

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Showing Submission

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         We have spent a good deal of time showing the fact that Christians are to be in submission to various authorities.             A.        Some of these relationships are voluntary, some are involuntary, but in all cases submission must be shown.             B.        However, how is submission shown? How do place yourself in submission? II.        Submission is…

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