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.

Is Socialism Biblical?

Is Socialism Biblical?
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Politicians usually make promises in order to get elected to office. Financial conditions often top the list of people’s concerns, so politicians devote considerable discussion to this topic, particularly in election years that occur in the midst of economic downswings. This is one such year for the United States. Each political candidate claims that his plan is the best for the people. These plans typically differ based upon the particular economic ideologies of the candidates. There are varying economic schools of thought, but one idea that is proposed by some politicians is to seek to ease the financial woes of one group of people by taking money from another group (through taxation) and giving it to them. This is sometimes called wealth redistribution, but classically it is known as socialism. Socialism is the step between capitalism and communism.

Some have cited the teaching of Acts chapters 2 and 4 as proof that communism is biblical. This is simply not true. While it is true that some people were selling their property in order to assist their needy brethren (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32-5:1), it is not true that these decisions were made by the community or by some governmental entity. God acknowledged the right of these brethren to own and sell their property and to do with the proceeds as they so chose. We are told of a couple named Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a piece of property and gave part of the proceeds to the church (Acts 5:1, 2). Sadly, they represented themselves as having given all of the proceeds when in fact they had given only part. Their sin was that of lying. They lied about the amount [percentage] that they had given. Peter told Ananias, “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4). Ananias and Sapphira were killed for their sin, but the fact remains that Peter, by divine inspiration, acknowledged the private property ownership rights of these two people. The second and fourth chapters of Acts teach us lessons about brotherly love and generosity, not about socialism and communism! Jesus, in his parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), completely destroys the concept of socialism. The Bible says that if one will not work, then neither should he eat (2 Thess. 3:10).

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.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 5)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 5)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

This fifth installment is the final in our series on this subject.

9. The Law of Moses served a temporary purpose. God never intended for the Law of Moses to rule indefinitely. It served God’s intended purpose and it was taken out of the way. In explaining the relationship between the Law of Moses and the promise to Abraham, Paul pointed out that the Law was given 430 years after God had given the “seed” promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). He explained that the “seed” [“offspring”] to which God referred was Christ (Galatians 3:16). Paul told the Galatians, “Why then the law? It was added [to the law of Moses, th] because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary” (Gal. 3:19). The word “until” implies an end – a stopping point. Paul went on to explain that end: “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian” (Galatians 3:23-25). The Law of Moses served as “a guardian” to be in effect “until” Christ came and inaugurated his system of justification by faith. The Law of Moses perfectly accomplished its mission and was removed. No human is “under” this guardian today.

10. The Law of Moses was “abolished.” The gospel of Christ plainly affirms that the old law has been abrogated. In his death on the cross, Jesus “abolished in his flesh the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:14, 15). Notice also Colossians 2:14, where Paul said, “Having cancelled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 likens modern adherence to the Law of Moses to the wearing of a veil. When one turns to Christ that “veil” is “taken away.” The Hebrew writer cited the New Covenant prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and said that it was fulfilled by the ratification of the law of Christ (Heb. 8:7-13). The Law of Moses today provides us with a valuable treasure of history and examples, but it is not our spiritual standard! Please write us to request a free tract on this series.

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.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 4)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (4)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

In our last three articles we considered several reasons why we today are not under the Law of Moses. Let us continue our study:

8. If the Law of Moses remains binding today, then Jesus does not qualify as our High Priest. Without Jesus as our High Priest, the types of the Levitical Priesthood would be unfulfilled, Jesus could not have performed his sacrificial duties in the presence of God, and consequently, we would be yet in our sins with no possible way of escape!

The Hebrew writer observed that had perfection been attainable through the Levitical priesthood and the order of Aaron, there would have been no need for a priest to arise “after the order of Melchizedek.” The inspired writer then said:

“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests” (Hebrews 7:12-14).

The argument is simple: If the Law of Moses remains binding upon men today, then Jesus does not qualify to serve as our priest. As stated, Jesus was not from the Old Testament authorized tribe of Levi. He was of the tribe of Judah. This meant that Jesus could not serve as High Priest while the Law of Moses “yet stood.” This condition required “a change in the law.” As we observed in previous points, upon Christ’s death upon the cross, the Old Covenant was replaced with the New Covenant or New Testament – the last will and testament of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:15). Unlike the Law of Moses, the Law of Christ DOES authorize Jesus to serve as High Priest, and he presently functions in that capacity (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:22-28).

There is another important lesson to learn from Hebrews 7:11-14. Non-Levites were not refused admittance into the priesthood upon the basis that “God told them not to,” for God didn’t tell them “not to.” Rather, non-Levites were forbidden to serve as priests upon the very basis that God specified “Levi” as the priestly tribe, and he “said nothing about priests” from Judah, or any other tribe of Israel! God’s silence is prohibitive in every instance where God specifies what particular thing is to be done, or how that particular thing is to be done. (More to come…)

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.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 3)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (3)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Our last two articles have cited several reasons why we today are not under the Law of Moses. Let us continue our study:

6. Those who seek justification by the Law of Moses are obligated to “keep the whole law.” Paul said, “I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law” (Galatians 5:3). And, “For all who rely on works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them’” (Galatians 3:10). These passages plainly teach that the Law of Moses must be followed wholly if it is to be followed at all! First century deceivers tried to convince people that they had to be circumcised in order to be Christians. Paul made it clear that if one goes to the Old Testament for his authority for circumcision, then he is bound to keep the rest of that law. There is no “picking-and-choosing” when it comes to obedience to God.

In our day, we don’t see many people turning to the Old Law to justify or bind circumcision as a religious rite or requirement. However, we do see many people turn to the Old Testament in order to justify Sabbath keeping, tithing and the use of instrumental music in worship to God. But have such people considered the consequences of their actions? According to Paul’s argument, these same people must observe every other requirement of the Old Law. This would include not only circumcision, but also the burning of animal sacrifices, the observance of Mosaic civil laws, including death penalty laws for a number of sins, cleanliness laws, food restrictions and a host of other rules, regulations and restrictions. I have never witnessed any such attempt in my lifetime! Folks want to be able to appeal to the Law of Moses to justify their favorite and preferred practices, but they don’t want to be stuck with having to accept the others. Of course, according to the apostle Paul, they don’t have this choice.

7. The Hebrew writer said, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). However, this is precisely the type of sacrifice that was offered under the Law of Moses (Hebrews 9:13-22; 10:1-4). The conclusion: Salvation is not through the Old Covenant, but through the New Covenant! This covenant was ratified by the very blood of Christ (Hebrews 8:9-13; 9:14-28). So, the lost cannot be saved by the Old Testament, but the saved can certainly lose their salvation by seeking justification by that Law (Galatians 5:4). Let us be careful to avoid any misuse of the Old Testament, and let us be grateful that Jesus was willing to undergo the cruelties and death of the cross, thus enabling him to inaugurate and ratify the New Covenant whereby we might be saved. (More to come…)

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.