| Judson McClendon 2008-02-12, 7:57 am |
| "William M. Klein" <wmklein@nospam.netcom.com> wrote:
> Does a "good person" fight laws that not only allow slavery, but allow for the "recapture" of slaves in a "free state". (US
> history - for those who aren't familiar with it.)
God would have us disobey human laws that would require us to disobey
God. 'Fighting laws" is another thing.
> How about a "good person" fighting rules that disallow women to vote? black to vote? Blacks and whites to serve in the same
> military unit? gays to openly serve in the army? (As a basically "pro-Choice male", I can even ask what your view is of fighting
> laws protecting abortion rights? capital punishment?)
In general, the Bible does not direct Christians to "change laws" or "change
government." In a democracy, goverments are (at least theoretically) formed
and directed by the will of the people, and Christians should participate in
democracy to promote government that supports the principles they believe
the government should support, just as others do the same. But in the final
analysis, it is God Who permits people and governments to come to power,
and Who takes them from power. That's why Jesus said "Render unto
Caesar..." (Matthew 22:17-21). Caesar (Rome) only had power because
God permitted it.
The Bible is clear that there is complete equality among Christians, with no
racial, gender or social distinctions (Romans10:12, Galatians 3:28). However,
the Bible also makes it clear that, as far as roles in the family, God
created men and women for different roles. These gender roles have to do with
the family, here on Earth, and have nothing to do with Heaven (there is no
gender or marriage in Heaven), or a person's worth before God. It is the
influence of Christianity, more than any other factor, that has given women
respect and equality in modern Western culture. But even way back in Jewish
history, during the time of the Judges, a woman named Deborah was a judge
and a prophet (Judges 4,5); a position of high distinction and authority.
Proverbs 31 is a description of a "virtuous wife". It describes her, not as
a "house slave", but a wise woman who manages the household and deals in
property.
As far as the pro-death abortion laws, AFAIK, they do not compel anyone
to have an abortion. I do support pro-life legislation, to protect the
lives of innocent babies being slaughtered by the tens of millions. Our
society grieves over a mistreated puppy, yet condones such slaughter of
our own flesh and blood. May God forgive us.
As far as gays in the military, there are liars and adulterers in the
military, and there's no law against them being there. I'm more
concerned about society condoning and promoting sin in all forms, be it
homosexuality, promiscuity, greed or dishonesty. The business of Jesus,
and His followers, is not to be condemning sinners, for we are all
sinners. It is to be inviting sinners to accept Jesus Christ so their
sins will be forgiven, as our sins have been forgiven (John 3:17).
The morality of a society will not be improved simply by passing laws,
but by changing the citizen's hearts. That will require an act of God;
a revival. The U.S. has seen several sweeping revivals in the past, and
I'm praying and hoping for a big one soon. :-)
--
Judson McClendon judmc@sunvaley0.com (remove zero)
Sun Valley Systems http://sunvaley.com
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
[color=darkred]
> Bill Klein
> wmklein <at> ix.netcom.com
> "Judson McClendon" <judmc@sunvaley0.com> wrote:
|