If "thou shalt not kill", then does that mean that most American (or any) soldiers that have fought in wars are going to hell?  Or police officers that have had to shoot a suspect to protect their own life are doomed?  The commandment doesn't have an "except for this situation" addition to it.

Can you explain this to me please? Thank you.  Please don't reply with, "Well, they will be okay as long as they ask for forgiveness".  Murder is murder, and the sixth commandment says nothing about it being "okay" as long as you ask for forgiveness.

Sincerely,
Curious Agnostic

Dear Curious Agnostic,

The Hebrew word used for ‘kill’ in the Ten Commandments literally means ‘murder’.  There is a difference between killing someone in self-defense and pre-meditated, intentional murder of another human being.  The Bible has plenty of examples of faithful people going to war (David killed Goliath in battle – 1 Sam 17:49-50).  The Bible is also full of examples of capital punishment for certain crimes (Num 15:35).  Num 35:15-16 makes a distinction between accidentally killing someone and premeditated murder.  A police officer may have to kill someone while serving the community, but that isn’t murder.  There is a difference.

(This is a follow-up question to “Women Preachers” and “Women Preachers (Part 2)”)

First of all, let me state that I am a believer in God's Word.  I do believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; however, is it so impossible that human intervention (we are blessed with the gift of free will after all) in the compilation of the Bible did omit books?  Weren't the four gospels chosen out of all the others to be included because of the way they were written - easy to understand, story lines, and recognizable authors, etc. - because a group of humans got together and voted?  And as for my disinformation, I have to disagree - I AM a woman, therefore I know what it is like to be treated condescendingly because of that fact.  Long hair as a covering... what about short hair; are you saying that is a sin?  Silence in church assembly... so if I let out an "Amen" or "Praise Jesus" during a sermon, I am sinning, but if a man does, he is not?  Why should a woman's role not include leadership?  As for Mary Magdelene, by me quoting "kissed her on the...", I meant to illustrate their relationship not as a romantic one, but as a fellowship.  Do you mean to tell me that Jesus and Mary didn't have a relationship?  If you follow that line of logic, then it would be logical to say that He did not have a relationship with the twelve either.  She was part of His entourage, for lack of a better word, along with the twelve disciples.  Friendship/Fellowship/Discipleship is a *relationship*, is it not?  What about the paintings they have found in ancient worship sites with Mary in a teaching position with her two fingers raised that have been scratched out...by a human's male hand no doubt...simply because of sexism?  Is it not fact that at the time the Bible was written, women were considered so second-class that to even include them in a conversation or use them as a witness, was laughable?  For example, you seem to have labeled me in a derogatory way by judging me and calling me a feminist simply because I am asking a question that perhaps is not answerable until we are able to ask the Source.  No, God does not care about our gender, on this point we agree... but we humans sure do!

Sincerely,
Would Prefer Not To Be Called A Feminist

Dear Would Prefer Not To Be Called A Feminist,

To begin with, we did not mean to offend you by using the byline ‘The Feminist’ – your question was about female rights – the title seemed appropriate because ‘feminism’ is defined as ‘the advocacy for women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality with men’… isn’t that what you are trying to defend?

Now having said that, let’s address the issue.  No, parts of the Bible are not missing.  You cannot simultaneously say that the Bible is divinely inspired and also say that God allowed necessary parts of it to be lost.  If the Bible isn’t exactly as God wrote it, it isn’t God’s Book anymore.  You can’t have it both ways.  Your whole argument is based off the idea that when you run across something you find distasteful in the Scriptures (in this case, the verses concerning men’s and women’s roles), you can simply say, “We don’t have the complete Bible”.  Jesus says that not even the tiniest detail of the Scriptures have been lost (Matt 5:18).  Jude says that we have the Word of God handed down to us “once for all” (Jude 1:3).  Regardless of what ancient paintings, manuscripts, mythology, etc. you reference – the Bible is what the Bible is.  Your frustrations with what the Bible says about hair length, women leadership, etc. are not with us… they are with the Scriptures.  No matter how many times you talk about these subjects, you will still have to contend with verses like 1 Cor 11:15, 1 Cor 14:34, Eph 5:23, etc.  These verses aren’t going away.  God, from the very beginning, designed men and women to be equal heirs of salvation (1 Pet 3:7) but to have different roles.  Men and women are different – frankly, that shouldn’t be news to anybody.

The differences between men and women are often abused by both genders.  Women tell jokes about how stupid men are, and men condescend and demean women… neither behavior is right.  In the Bible, God doesn’t ignore the differences between men and women; He explains how men and women ought to live to fulfill their fullest potential.  Until we accept that we must mold our lives as God desires, we will never truly be submitting ourselves to Him… and whether male or female, we are all subject to God (Jas 4:7).

In Psalms 111:9, it says that ‘Reverence’ is His Name.  So why are so many preachers adding ‘Reverend’ to their name?  Isn't pastor or minister enough of a title?  And the thing is, so many are living ungodly lives (however sin is sin in all of us).  Should we not honor God's name as reverent?

Sincerely,
Keeping ‘Holy’ Holy

Dear Keeping ‘Holy’ Holy,

God specifically condemns religious leaders who take titles that put them on the same level as Him (Matt 23:8-10).  Many religious leaders are power-hungry and fixated upon receiving the honor of others.  Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this very same arrogant attitude (Matt 6:1-2).  Preachers are only men; they shouldn’t place themselves above others.

Hi, my question to you is regarding the Bible… this might sound crazy, but I have not read the Bible, so could you please tell me if sleeping with your first cousin is a bad thing from the Bible’s point of view?  I read that Joseph and Mary were first cousins and married.  So, is it wrong?  Is it a crime?  Is it a sin?  Thank you!!!

Sincerely,
Kissing Cousins

Dear Kissing Cousins,

The Bible never condemns marrying your first cousin.  Even in the Old Testament, the prohibition only extended as far as aunts and uncles (Lev 18:12-14).  First cousins are the closest permissible kin to marry.  There is no sin in marrying your first cousin.

This is kind of a two-part question.  Is it ever okay to be angry with God?  For years, I've found myself feeling this way due to my issues of trying to turn away from having strong attractions and feelings towards members of the same sex.  Yes, I know this is condemned and all, and I can tell you that this issue is the only true reason I'm depressed.  It's not just the attraction though.  I really hate being a man – period.  All I want to do is please God, but if He doesn't make any mistakes, why couldn't He have made me a woman?  I would see then that I could satisfy Him and maybe have a little happiness inside of me.  All of this is what is making me feel frustrated.  (Oh, and I also know that everyone says that homosexuality is a choice, but I can assure you, I didn't choose to be attracted to men.  I lived a "normal" childhood with both a mother and father and was never sexually abused or anything like that).  Why is God making me suffer?

Sincerely,
Torn In Two

Dear Torn In Two,

Living a homosexual lifestyle is a choice – there is more debate over whether the attraction is a choice.  Feel free to read our article “Just Another Sin” to see more on the difference between homosexual attractions and living a sinful homosexual lifestyle.

Whether or not it is okay to be angry with God… it is normal – especially during times of great stress and trial.  Jonah was angry and spoke rashly with God, and God condemned him for it (Jon 4:1-4).  Regardless of how we feel, we must be careful to not speak rashly with or about God.  Like children with their parents, we can get upset, but we can’t be disrespectful.

You have a thorn in the flesh, a mental/physical problem that is causing you great distress.  However, God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (1 Cor 10:13).  Everyone has trials and weaknesses in various areas of their character and life.  Your temptation is one that you must fight just like any other… but take hope.  God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  Many others have tried and succeeded in winning the battle against homosexuality.  You can too.  We cannot imagine the struggle you are going through, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be helped.  Through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of heaven (Acts 14:22).  This is your cross to bear, but you can do it (Lk 14:27).  If you would like a congregation in your area to get in contact with, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will help you as you reach out for help in your journey.