Government and Morality

Government and Morality
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

“A king who sits on the throne of righteousness winnows away all evil with his eyes” (Proverbs 20:8).

The greatest failing of any people is to underestimate the importance of God’s standards in their lives and in their institutions. This includes their government. Our nation once knew and benefited from a biblical worldview, but it has steadily strayed from that path. The cry for “separation of church and state” has resulted in the separation of state and morality. Incidentally, Jefferson and others were not afraid of citizens being influenced by divine principles of thought and conduct: they were afraid of a mechanism that might allow government to impose its religious will upon its citizens! This was precisely what had happened with the Church of England!

No government can survive that rejects the biblical model of society and human interaction. Let us consider some of the more basic tenets:

1. Respect for the sanctity of human life is vital to the survival of any nation. This begins with a genuine respect for the life of the unborn and it extends to the elderly. It includes church members (Ephesians 4:1-16), family members (Eph. 5:22-6:4) and neighbors (Matt. 22:39).

2. Respect for the rights and choices of others. We should respect the lives and property of others, but we should also respect their right to make their own choices. Some fear that a biblical worldview forces all people to subscribe to biblical ethics and morality. No, the Bible itself teaches that people are free agents, which means that people are free to make their own decisions about service to God (“whoever WILL, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). This principle has served this nation well for over 200 years. There is no reason why it cannot continue to work.

3. Respect for the role of government. Paul told the saints at Rome that God had “appointed” civil government for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of well doers (Romans 13:1-4). When government ceases to follow this model it ceases to be approved by God. Sadly, many human governments act contrary to God’s will today. Let us do what we can to encourage rulers to respect God’s ways.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

A Comparison of Life: Born and Unborn

A Comparison of Life: Born and Unborn
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

As I mentioned last week, discussions about abortion often lead to discussions about individuality and the quality of the unborn life. As last week’s study indicated, medical science makes it difficult for one to deny the “life” status of the unborn child. So, the dispute is now over the value of the unborn life. Is the “life” of the unborn baby as valuable as the life of the baby that is born? Is there something about the condition or status of the unborn baby that would allow one to destroy it, but would not allow one to destroy the born baby? (Incidentally, the practice of abortion always leads to the practice of infanticide, genocide, euthanasia and other forms of murder. The same lack of respect for the sanctity of life that allows the one practice also allows the other.)

Experience and observation show that one thing is certain: To the mother who loves and wants her baby, prenatal care is every bit as important as natal care. This is her baby, whether it is in her womb (Luke 1:41, 42), or out of her womb (Luke 2:12). Her natural inclination is to care for and protect that baby regardless of its physical location.

A Bible passage answers our question about the value of the unborn human life. Moses said, “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (Exodus 21:22, 23). The Law of Moses contained both civil and spiritual laws for the Jews. We are not under this law today, but we may learn from its definitions and examples (Rom. 15:4).

Moses describes two possible scenarios: 1) A man hits a pregnant woman causing a premature delivery with possible complications but no death. 2) A man hits a pregnant woman resulting in the death of her unborn baby. Under Jewish civil law, the punishment matched the crime. Under the Law of Moses it was a capital offense for one to kill an unborn baby. Quite notably, the word for “life” in Exodus 21:23, is the same Hebrew word both times. This means that the “life” of the unborn baby was equal to the “life” of the man who caused the unborn baby’s death – “life for life.” The conclusion is unavoidable: The Bible places the same value on the life of the unborn as it places on the life of the born.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

"Begetting" and the "Life" of the Unborn

"Begetting" and the "Life" of the Unborn
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Discussions about abortion often lead to discussions about when life begins. This discussion then leads to questions about individuality and the quality of the unborn life. Science forces some to admit that “life” begins at conception, but they remain unwilling to admit that this unborn life is qualitatively equal to the life of one that is born.

On this question of life, Science agrees with the Bible. Science tells us that the transfer of genetic information occurs at fertilization. 23 chromosomes from the female combine with 23 chromosomes from the male. Personal human traits are constructed from these chromosomes. And yes, we can safely say that peculiar “individual” traits are so constructed, and that the process begins immediately!

The genealogical records of the Bible speak repeatedly of males “begetting” children (see Genesis 5). For example, Genesis 5:3 tells us that Adam, “begat a son in his own likeness, after his own image, and called his name Seth.” This language has confused some readers, for all know that women are the ones who give birth to children. Some Bible critics have actually cited these “begetting” passages to allege that the Bible is chauvinistic. These critics are wrong. Those who believe in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures accept the phrase, but some have failed to appreciate its real significance. When the Bible speaks of a man “begetting sons an daughters,” it is using language that is technically accurate. Seth was “in the likeness” of Adam due to the genetic coding that he received from the 23 chromosomes contained in Adam’s sperm. The father is credited, as he should be, with his particular reproductive role. When the Bible speaks of a male begetting children it is referring to the fertilization process. The fertilized egg migrates to the woman’s womb, hence Bible references to the baby in the womb (Gen. 25:23; Jer. 1:5; Lk. 1:41, 42).

Here is another instance where Bible believers must not fear science. The Bible never contradicts genuine science. And there should be no question about the nature of the life in the mother’s womb – it is a human individual! (more thoughts on this next week)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Barack Obama’s “Pay-Grade” and the Sanctity of Human Life

Barack Obama’s “Pay-Grade” and the Sanctity of Human Life
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

In a forum hosted by the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, August 16, 2008, Rick Warren asked Barack Obama, “At what point does a baby get human rights?” Obama replied, "Whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade."

Though many of us do prefer that our presidents have at least some knowledge of the Bible, being president does not require one to be a theologian or a Bible scholar. One can serve as president of the United States without being proficient in biblical hermeneutics or skilled in biblical interpretation. However, I propose that one can have a pretty small “pay grade,” and still be able to answer Warren’s baby question!

Obviously, Bible believers have no difficulty answering Warren’s question. The angel told Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary for his wife: “for that which is CONCEIVED in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20). Mary herself was told, “You shall CONCEIVE in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Jesus was “Jesus” at the point of conception. Luke 1:36 discusses Mary’s cousin Elisabeth, saying that she had also CONCEIVED a son. That son [John, the Baptist] would later “leap in her womb” upon Elisabeth hearing the salutation of Mary (Luke 1:41). We are told that Rebekah’s children struggled together within her. The Lord told her that, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples shall be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:22, 23). While yet in their mother’s womb, these two boys [Jacob and Esau] were identified as the progenitors of two great nations. Specific details were given about their personalities, which would affect their future relationships with one another. Jeremiah was still in his mother’s womb when God ordained him to be a prophet (Jer. 1:5). David spoke of God’s knowledge of his development while he was still in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16). How much money, if any, does a person have to make in order to understand these plain Bible statements and principles?

There is also the matter of modern medical technology. High-tech ultrasound equipment allows us to observe the behavior of unborn babies, and study their reactions to various stimuli. More and more, medical science is buttressing the Bible in proving that life begins at conception. Barack Obama really needs to reconsider his answer.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

So-Called "Religious Leaders" and Abortion

So-Called “Religious Leaders” and Abortion

Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Community leaders and social activists often have their roots in religious organizations and churches. Many have served as preachers in various churches, often calling themselves “reverend” or “pastor.” I have watched many of these men make the transition from preacher to politician. These men take the speaking and interpersonal skills that they acquired while working as “preachers” and apply those skills in the social and political realm. This is not wrong or sinful in itself, but the compromise that usually accompanies this transition is indeed sinful.

Of course, in order to be effective these “religious leaders” must keep their base of religious backers. They need these religious people for financial and logistical reasons. They need a lot of money (and religious people can be devoted contributors), and they need speaking venues (and huge church facilities are quite accommodative).

However, in order to be truly popular (“of the people”), these preachers must try to appeal also to non-Bible believers. The determination to be liked and accepted by all people leads inexorably to the compromise of certain biblical principles, particularly those relating to controversial issues like abortion, evolution and homosexuality. This has resulted in the development of a strange new breed of “reverends” who are pro-choice (pro-abortion), pro gay marriage, and very modernistic.

No “gospel” preacher accepts abortion, for from the gospel perspective, killing a baby that is in the womb is no different from killing a baby that is out of the womb. The Bible uses the same Greek word (“baby” – brephos) to describe the baby in the womb (Luke 1:41) that it does to describe the baby that was in the manger (Luke 2:12). King David described how God’s watchful eye observed his development while he was yet in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16). The Bible specifies Jeremiah and others as being considered by God while they were yet in their mother’s wombs (Jer. 1:5). These so-called “religious leaders” are fakes and frauds. They need to be challenged on their anti-God positions.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.