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).

Relating to your post "A Vote for God" on June 15: would it be sinful for a Christian to vote for a specific candidate that openly endorses gay marriage or abortion? I am under the impression that it would be wrong no matter where they stand on other issues. Am I on the right path?

Sincerely, Going To The Polls

Dear Going To The Polls,

In most cases, yes, it would be a sin to vote for someone who openly endorses gay marriage or abortion. There are, however, at least two circumstances in which it would be understandable for a christian to vote for someone that endorsed ungodly behavior.

1. If the other candidate is even worse. Unfortunately, there are times where christians have to choose between one ungodly candidate and another even more ungodly one. In this case, a christian has to either not vote (which would offend the conscience of some christians because they would feel they were leaving their moral voice unheard) or to vote for someone who promotes immoral behavior (but they feel is a better option).
2. If the government office has nothing to do with policy. There is a distinct difference between someone running for President of the United States and someone who wants to be County Auditor. Although in this case, I personally still could not vote for the person, it is only fair to point out that there is a reasonable argument to be made that a county auditor is not in a position to affect the laws that address abortion and gay “marriage”.

In those two circumstances, a christian must use wisdom (Rom 16:19) and maturity to discern the right decision (Heb 5:14). If in doubt, it is better to not vote at all than to vote and harm your conscience (2 Tim 1:3).

Having said all that, 99.9% of the time a christian would be in the wrong to vote for a politician that endorsed abortion (baby-killing) or gay “marriage”.

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.

My heart is really heavy. I live near Wichita, KS where Dr. George Tiller was murdered while attending his church. I did not agree with Dr. Tiller performing abortions, but I also don't agree with someone killing him over it. I think it is a very sad situation all the way around. I feel sorry for the congregation that was there; I feel sorry for his family; I feel sorry for the suspect’s family; I just hurt all the way around about it. Would God condone the murder of any individual, regardless of what they did? Would God want me to take matters like that in my own hands and kill someone because he needed to be stopped? Is it my place to sit and judge how he could consider himself a member of a church and provide abortions? I am just terribly confused and hurt over the whole situation. Can you please help me work through these questions and heartache?

Sincerely, Stop the Violence

Dear Stop the Violence,

Murdering babies is wrong; murdering adults is wrong (Gal 5:21). See this previous post on why Dr. Tiller was wrong. Two wrongs do not make a right. The only one who has the right to put someone to death for their crimes is the government (Rom 13:1-4). As an individual, no matter how much you despise what someone is doing, you do not have a right to punish them. Vengeance belongs to God (Rom 12:19), not man. Christ taught that individuals should endure evil in most cases (Matt 5:39-40). Abortion is murder, but no one has a right to personally inflict punishment upon any abortionist. If the government asks you to serve on a jury, you have every right to cast your vote, but until that day you must simply pray that the Lord will watch over those babies and take vengeance when He sees fit. Regardless of what someone gets away with in this life, God will not be mocked on the Day of Judgment (Gal 6:7). Both Dr. Tiller and the gunman will have to make account of their actions.

I love my church, but there are things that have been brought to my attention that deal with young men sagging their pants. I feel the issue is important; we do need to be respectful to the women in the church and, most importantly, to God. These young men and I on occasion sag our pants; does that make me any more or less saved than the rest of the congregation? I understand there are guidelines, and I can’t go and do whatever I want, but whether I wear jeans to church or a suit, isn’t Jesus going to love me the same? It seems to me we can get too caught up on the outward appearances and miss God. Is all this judging good for the church as a whole? I think God will accept my baggy jeans and all, what about you, preacher?

Sincerely, How Low Can You Go

Dear How Low Can You Go,

The issue isn’t about dress code - but modesty. It is one thing to dress more casually or formally than others; it is another to show your underwear in public. Men sagging their pants are just as bad as women wearing low cut and revealing clothing. God tells us to dress modestly (1 Tim 2:9). It is shameful for a christian to not be fully clothed (Rev 3:18). It is important that we dress in a way that is honorable in the sight of all men (Rom 12:17). The way we dress is part of our reputation, and therefore we must be careful what message it sends. My kudos to you for caring. Hike up the pants.