Someone has been burning churches in Texas.  Most fires so far have been set in east Texas and one in North Central Texas.  Most appear to be Baptist and churches that are expensive to construct.  What’s your take on the type of personality, and what do you think caused the anger involved to do such a hateful act against God?  I want a well thought-out reply; don't simply say it’s the work of the devil.

Sincerely,
Smokey the Bear

Dear Smokey the Bear,

People commit crimes of hatred for all sorts of different reasons.  Jesus said that those who are living in darkness will hate the truth (Jhn 3:19).  Furthermore, Paul warns that some people will be deceived by the lies of the world and seductions of sin; their consciences will become seared to the point of no return (1 Tim 4:1-2).  People sin for a zillion different reasons – but, ultimately, all sinful lifestyles come from believing the lies of the world (Rom 1:25).

I have a question about Christmas: we all know that most people tell their kids about "Santa".  I wanted to know what you thought about parents telling kids about this.  Is it wrong?  I guess it is a lie, and telling a lie is wrong...  I always thought that on Christmas, you should be thinking about what Jesus did for us and not be thinking about how much money we spent on each other.  I think it is not about gifts that we give each other but the gift that Jesus has already given to us.  I think that if we do give gifts, it should be from the heart and not because "Santa says you were a good boy or girl."  I guess I am confused on the subject.  I don't have kids, but if I ever do, I’m not sure what the right thing would be to do, and I’m sure that others out there are confused also.  That is another reason I am asking this question.  Thanks for your time and God bless!

Sincerely,
You Better Not Cry

Dear You Better Not Cry,

It is always wrong to lie; the question is whether telling your kids about Santa Claus is lying or not.  Many christians have many different views on this.  Some christians tell their children that Santa is imaginary because they feel that is honest.  Other christians allow their children to believe in Santa and simply don’t dissuade them from the notion until they ask point-blank.  No matter what, christians must in good conscience do what they believe is honest.  Lying is always wrong (Rev 21:8).  The debate isn’t over whether or not lying is a sin; the debate is over whether or not allowing your children to believe in something imaginary counts as being deceptive.  Each must do what they believe is faithful and right… it would not be good to be too dogmatic on this point.

Now let’s deal with the issue of Christmas.  Many people believe Christmas to be a spiritual holiday, but the Bible never commands us to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25^th (the truth is that no one knows when Jesus was born, but it was most likely in the spring or summer because the shepherds were out – Lk 2:15).  Christians are commanded to remember Jesus’ death every first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 11:24-25).  Christmas is not a Biblical holiday.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating it as a family holiday, but it is wrong to teach that there is a Biblical foundation to it.

What does the Bible say about the whole ‘2012 doomsday’ thing?  Will it happen or not?

Sincerely,
Counting The Days

Dear Counting The Days,

Feel free to do your shopping for the holidays in 2012; the world isn’t likely to be destroyed on Dec. 21, 2012.  For those of our readers unfamiliar with the 2012 doomsday schtick… we will take a moment to explain this New Age teaching.  The idea that the world is going to be destroyed or transformed on December 21^st (some say 23^rd), 2012 is based off of the Mayan Long Count calendar.  The Mayan Long Count calendar is a non-repeating calendar that was used in Mesoamerica during the height of the Mayan civilization, and because it is a non-repeating calendar (unlike the Roman calendar which repeats every 365 days), it eventually runs out of days.  The last day on the Mayan Long Count calendar is December 21^st, 2012.  Therefore, some folks are expecting a cataclysmic change to the world order on that day.

Now that we’ve explained what it is, let’s explain what it isn’t.  It isn’t right.  We here at AYP are pretty sure that if God was going to hide the date of the end of the world in a conspiracy-theory fashion, He probably wouldn’t hide it in the calendar of a blood-drinking, child-sacrificing, snake-worshipping heathen culture.  But, hey, maybe that’s just us…

God promises that He will return like a thief in the night (1 Thess 5:2).  The whole world would be a lot better off if it stopped trying to guess the day it will end and start trying to be prepared for when it does.

America has me worried.  I think the government is corrupt and society is immoral.  I'm seriously thinking about taking my family and making a community like the Muslims have in some US states.  We'd have our own law and law enforcement.  No one could come in who wasn't a christian.  What should I be looking for to know when to leave?

Signed,
Not In My House

Dear Not In My House,

Christianity has suffered through quite a bit more than America has ever dished out.  As the book of Hebrews says, “You have not yet suffered to the point of bloodshed” (Heb 12:4).  No one would dispute that America’s government is corrupt.  The question is whether a christian should flee a society as soon as it is corrupt.  Biblically speaking, that is not the pattern we see.  Christians didn’t flee Jerusalem until christians began to be killed (Acts 8:1).  Paul wouldn’t leave a city until they forcibly persecuted him or sought his life (Acts 9:24-25).

There will always be corrupt governments, but within those nations are citizens who need the Gospel as much as everyone else.  Christians are supposed to be in the world… but not of this world (Php 2:15).  The answers to our problems do not lay in this life.  In this life, we shall always have troubles, but Christ has overcome the world (Jhn 16:33).  Our hope is in eternal life where God’s law will be the only law and only christians will be allowed in (Tit 3:7).  Until then, we must live within the governments of this world (Rom 13:1-2).

How should Christians view the recent unrest in Iran? I know the Bible says we are supposed to honor those in authority, but does this apply even to rulers who are over another nation? Is it okay to root for the rebels?

Going further, is it okay to take action to aid the protesters in Iran? I've seen some people encouraging others to use the Internet to provide alternate ways for the Iranians to communicate despite the government's censorship efforts. Is this something a Christian can participate in?

Sincerely, Rebel Alliance

Dear Rebel Alliance,

The issue you bring up is one without a clear and easy answer, but in general, yes, it would be okay to root for the rebels and even to aid them. The Bible makes it clear that we must show respect for the government authorities that we are under (1 Pet 2:13-15). 1 Pet 2:17 says that we should “honor the king”, which would imply the king that you are under the authority of, not necessarily every king or ruler. You still need to speak well of rulers and treat them with respect because they are placed in authority by God (Rom 13:1).

The fact is, it would be impossible to be in subjection to every ruler and government because those governments often contradict each other. Soldiers are a perfect example of this. When a soldier fights in a war against another country, he is directly opposing the other government’s authority while upholding his own ruler’s wishes. Therefore, if you are an American on American soil, you aren’t subject to Iran’s ruling powers. The only exception would be if you were to visit Iran (or any country for that matter), you would be subject to its rules and regulations as a visitor of that nation. Until then, feel free to oppose the politics of another country as long as your own nation allows it.