Would it be okay to be in support of equal civil rights for homosexuals?

Sincerely,
Almost An Advocate

Dear Almost An Advocate,

Biblically speaking, a nation that puts God first will be blessed (Ps 33:12).  God makes it clear that active homosexual lives are sinful and should be discouraged (Rom 1:26-27).  When a Christian has a chance to impact the political realm of the society they are in, they should always try and shape that society in a way that discourages homosexuality.  "Civil rights" for homosexuals isn't about treating them equally as humans; it is about making society more amenable to that sort of lifestyle.

     Should worshippers be able to bring guns to church?

Sincerely,
Packing

Dear Packing,

The Bible has no problem with guns and/or self-protection as long as they are legally carried.  After all, Jesus once asked His own apostles to get swords for the impending trials that were ahead (Lk 22:36-38).  The only Bible restriction upon firearms would be the legal issue.  God specifies that Christians should always seek to obey the laws of the land they are living in (Rom 13:1-2).  As long as it is legal for a Christian to carry a firearm, it isn’t a sin to do so.

     I have a question about voting.  Is it okay for a Christian to vote for a candidate that openly endorses gay marriage... say, Obama?  I am confused; I know a bunch of people in my congregation voted for him last time, but I don't see how they could possibly justify it this time around.

Sincerely,
Ballot Baffled

Dear Ballot Baffled,

No candidate is perfect, so no matter how a Christian votes, they will be voting for someone with good and bad traits, so instead, let’s put specific candidates aside for a moment and just look at the principles of Christian voting.  It is possible for a Christian to have various attitudes towards how a government should be run financially, legally, etc., but it is flagrantly sinful for a Christian to support immoral government. Some Christians want big government; some Christians want small government. Some Christians want tax cuts; some Christians want tax increases. Some Christians want more regulations; some Christians want less regulations. All Christians should want godliness for their nation (Pr 14:34).

Homosexual “marriage”, the right to abortion (i.e. the right to kill babies), freedom of worship, etc. are issues that, regardless of other political views, a Christian must stand firm on. A Christian who supports homosexual “marriage” is supporting and endorsing sin. It is no different than Solomon building idolatrous temples for his wives – he sinned in condoning their sin (1 Kgs 11:4-9). A Christian that supports abortion condones the slaying of innocent children and has joined himself in the cause of the wicked. Christians should be vexed, like Lot was (2 Pet 2:7-8), at the immorality they see in the nation around them. We shall give account to God for even the most idle words we speak (Matt 12:36); how much more so for deliberate words and actions that support and endorse sin?

If Christians cease to be the salt of the earth that preserves the morality of a nation… what good are we (Matt 5:13)?

Is capital punishment and/or war wrong? Is it wrong to fight someone when warranted?

Peter cut off the ear of the soldier when they were taking Jesus away, and there were all sorts of wars in the Old Testament.

I’m of the opinion that punching a bully in the nose is the correct course of action to take if you don’t want to be bullied anymore. However, then you have Jesus’ instructions to turn the other cheek…

Sincerely, Prepared for Battle

Dear Prepared for Battle,

Capital punishment and war are a separate issue from an individual’s authority to inflict pain on another.So we must deal with them separately.

God authorizes governments to punish its citizens as it deems fit.God has given governments the ‘sword of terror’ to bring wrath down upon evildoers (Rom 13:3-4).God allowed the government of Israel to stone evildoers (Lev 20:27) for various acts of wickedness against man and God.Stoning definitely would count as capital punishment!God also authorizes governments to go to war.Israel went to war (1 Sam 15:1-3), and God sent the Chaldeans to war against Israel (Hab 1:6).Furthermore, Roman soldiers asked John the Baptist what kind of life they should live, and John responded that they should be good soldiers and men (Lk 3:14).God has no problem with men going to war under the authority of a government.

Government authority and individual authority are different things though.God tells us that we aren’t to take vengeance upon ourselves (Rom 12:18-19), but instead, we are to do good to our enemies (Rom 12:20).We are to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39) and go the extra mile with people (Matt 5:41).

Vengeance belongs to God and not to man.In fact, when Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, Christ rebuked him for the act (Jhn 18:10-11). Be very careful to do that which is ‘honorable in the sight of all men’ (Rom 12:17).If you or another person is in physical danger, you may defend yourself (i.e. a burglar breaking into your house), but to punch a bully preemptively is against what Christ taught.

     I have a close friend that is married to a preacher.  She was recently fired from her job, and then soon after, her husband lost his preaching job.  She was collecting unemployment benefits while her husband was looking for a new preaching job, but she wasn't really looking for a new job herself.  Now they have moved to a new state where her husband found a preaching job at a smaller congregation.  She is still collecting unemployment.  She recently told me that she has no desire to look for a job as long as she is getting "paid" not to work.  I have questioned her about this, but she really doesn't feel bad about it at all.  I think it is completely wrong, and I am sure the new church family they are a part of would not agree with such an attitude, but I bet they don't have a clue.  What should I do?

Sincerely,
Frustrated Friend

Dear Frustrated Friend,

You’ve done all that you can and ought to do.  Good brethren are squarely divided on collecting unemployment benefits.  One side says something like, “If someone can’t find work, that is one thing, but if you are purposely not even trying to find work, then you are sinning because of the teachings found in 2 Thess 3:10 and 1 Tim 5:8.”  That argument sounds really great until you hear the opposing point of view (Pr 18:17).

Those on the other side, like your friend, often say something like, “They call it unemployment benefits for a reason.  My employer and I paid for me to have these benefits.  The fact that the government steps in to extend or increase those benefits doesn’t change the fact that they were part of my employment benefits… no different than health insurance if I got sick or L & I if I got hurt on the job.”

The principle is that both sides have a compelling argument, and in such cases, the best thing to do is to make your point and then leave each individual to work out the issue for themselves (Php 2:12).  Come to your own conclusion on the matter until you have confidence (Rom 14:5), but don’t despise those who feel differently, and hopefully, they will do the same (Rom 14:10-13).