Key Social Issues Facing Christians
Jim Rooney
Key Social Issues Facing Christians
James P. Rooney
Copyright © 2015
All Rights Reserved
All Bible verses are in the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.
Contents
Introduction - 4
Chapter 1: “In the beginning…” – 5
Chapter 2: Abortion – 10
Chapter 3: Marriage, Divorce, and Sex – 13
Chapter 4: Capital Punishment – 24
Chapter 5: Drugs – 25
Chapter 6: Gambling – 30
Chapter 7: Suicide / Euthanasia – 34
Chapter 8: Music – 35
Chapter 9: Holiday Myths – 38
Chapter 10: Politics – 44
Chapter 11: Tithes and Offerings - 46
Chapter 12: Forgiveness – 50
Epilogue - 52
Introduction
This book is written to address some important issues that we as Christians must take a stand on. The Bible gives us direction as to what our position should be on these matters yet many who claim to be Christians adopt positions that go contrary to the Word of God. If we are going to say we are believers in Jesus Christ, we must be willing to follow Him. To do otherwise makes us disobedient.
It is amazing to me to see how many Christians practice open sin and theological error in some of the areas addressed in this book. This ought not to be. We will be accountable to God for the things we support. As salt of the earth, we need to set the example and follow God’s Word completely even if it causes us to suffer economically or otherwise.
This book covers some of the most important social issues of our day. These issues will also be important in the future. Whether you are a Christian or not, I hope you will read this book to see what the Bible has to say about these very important matters.
Chapter 1
“In the beginning…”
Where Did We Come From?
It is not in the scope of this book to deal in a thorough way with the argument of evolution versus creation. However, I would like to make some comments about this subject.
I want the reader to think a moment about all the organization of the Universe. Think about the countless number of solar systems. Look at our solar system. How interesting it is that our sun is the exact right distance from the Earth to provide the proper warmth and light we need for our existence. Too close to the sun and we die of heat. Too far away and we die of cold. The atmosphere just happens to protect us from the harmful parts of the sun’s rays. Notice how our planet tilts just the right way and rotates once each 24 hours to provide us with day and night. We have days to complete our work and nights to rest and sleep. Planet Earth also happens to revolve around the sun every 365 days to give us our seasons and mark calendar years.
Look at our planet. It is marvelous to look at from space. There is green vegetation, flowing rivers, plant and animal life. The oceans are teeming with fish and all kinds of sea life. All life is supported by the resources of the Earth. Notice that we have gravity that keeps us from flying off into space. We have clouds that provide us with rain water.
Next think about men and women. Where did they come from? Think about the amazing complexity of these beings. Notice we are all structured much the same, with an intricate composition of skin, bones, nerves, and organs. Think about how often in a lifetime the heart beats to pump blood around miles of veins. What about the brain? It is a magnificent computer. We each have one. Each human being is made up from a different DNA code. It is very complex. Who gave us this code? Think about all the molecules, proteins, and atoms that make up the human body. What a marvelous machine we are. We can reproduce ourselves. Think about the complexity of how a sperm unites with an egg and produces a human being over a 9 month period. We all live, grow old, and die in about the same life span, approximately 60 to 100 years old.
Now think about how we as humans build things. We plan. In constructing a building, we have architects who draw detailed sketches. Engineers are consulted. Contractors build from these detailed plans. Much thought and planning goes into the structure.
So, how could we have such a wonderful planet called Earth, with so much organization in the Universe and bodies that are so wonderfully built? How could this master plan have developed? Where did we get our intelligence from?
There are two views. Let’s discuss them briefly.
Evolution
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines evolution as follows:
Biology: a theory that the differences between modern plants and animals are because of changes that happened by a natural process over a very long time
: the process by which changes in plants and animals happen over time
: a process of slow change and development
As I understand evolution, the animal and plant life that we have today evolved from lower forms of life in the past.
This brings to mind several questions. Where did the lower forms of life come from? Where did that first single cell come from? Where did the planets come from? Where did all these solar systems come from?
The main answer science gives us is the Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory
Again, as I understand this theory, billions of years ago there was a tremendous explosion that produced all the planets and solar systems that we see in the Universe today. That is where we as humans came from, after evolving from lower forms of life to what we are today.
More questions come to mind. Where did the matter come from to cause this huge explosion? How does something come from nothing? Are we really to believe that all the order of our solar system, our planet Earth, and our own bodies came about by some cosmic accident? Can some mathematician calculate what the odds are of that happening?
Creation
The other view is creation. It is the belief that there is a divine Creator, God, who is the Master Architect and Planner, who by His wise Providence created all things. There is no accident that could have caused all this order and intelligence. It is all by the One who has more intelligence and power than we can imagine.
What Does The Bible Say About Creation?
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1)
This one verse tells us that God, that Master Architect and Planner, created the Universe. There is no attempt to prove the existence of God. There is no debate. The Word of God clearly states that God did this. Chapter one of Genesis shows us how God created everything. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. His greatness and power knows no bounds. He speaks things into existence. Doesn’t it stand to reason that some Being of great intelligence and power designed and brought into existence the worlds as we know them?
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Col. 1:16-17)
10 And:“You, Lord,
in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work
of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will
all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed.
But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”(Heb. 1:10-12)
Lord, You have been
our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed
the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.3 You turn man to
destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.” 4 For a thousand
years in Your sight
are like yesterday when it is past, And
like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:1-4)
Which View Takes More Faith To Believe?
Many people do not take the biblical account seriously because they say it is all about faith and it is something we can’t prove.
Well, can we prove the Big Bang Theory? Do we have a proven explanation of where the matter came from that caused the Big Bang?
As rational, intelligent beings, are we to believe that all the order, complexity, and beauty of our solar system, planet, and human life just all accidentally happened by some random accident? Somehow this explosion happened, but we don’t know how or if it did. The dice was rolled, by itself, and the Universe with all its order, complexity, beauty, and life just happened.
I’m sorry, but that takes much more faith than I have to believe such a story. It makes much more sense to believe that a Supreme Being, with infinite knowledge and power, created all things as the Bible has told us.
Whatever view you hold to, it is based on faith. Which faith makes more sense? To me the answer is clear. God created all things!
Chapter 2
Abortion
When Does Life Begin?
There has been a raging controversy for decades as to when life begins. Back at the turn of the 20th century many believed that life began at birth. As science and medicine have advanced it is now indisputable that life begins at conception. At that point, the baby starts growing inside the mother’s womb. There is no denying this. Abortion advocates want pregnant women to have the right to abort or kill their unborn babies. They refer to this as a women’s right to choose or pro-choice. Some states allow abortion depending on what trimester the pregnancy is in. Any birth control method that terminates the pregnancy after conception is abortion.
Life is a precious gift. All life is created by God, the divine Creator. God is the only One who has the right to end His creature’s life. God will, at times, abort an unborn child by miscarriage. He does this for His own purposes and reasons. The Bible makes it clear that God creates, forms, and develops the baby in a woman’s womb.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my
soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there
were none of them. (Psalms 139:13-16)
2 Thus says the LORD who made you
and formed you from the womb, who will help you: (Isa. 44:2)
You Shall Not Murder
The sixth commandment of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not murder.” (Ex. 20:13) All life is to be most highly valued. One of the most precious things that we have is our lives. Those who murder others are considered the worst of criminals. Almost all civilized societies condemn the killing of another person. There are exceptions; for instance, for self-defense. We have seen the horrors of mass murders both by nations and by individuals. Hitler, Stalin, and other dictators have murdered millions of people. We have seen the terrors of serial killers who for their own fiendish pleasure or purpose have murdered many innocent persons. We are shocked by the millions tortured and murdered during the Holocaust of World War II. Yet many don’t understand the terrible holocaust of the unborn. The statistics concerning the number of defenseless young babies that have been aborted over the past 100 years are staggering. This great sin is repulsive to God, and He will judge those nations and individuals who commit it.
However, for those who have aborted their unborn children there is total forgiveness through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. I will speak more on this later.
What About In The Case Of Rape?
This is a very emotional question to answer. The brutal act and crime of rape is abhorrent to civilized societies. A rapist deserves the full penalty of the law. However, what is the Christian way to handle a child conceived by this terrible act?
Only God can create life. Only God has the right to abort a life. Is it fair to kill an innocent unborn child because of the evil deed of another? Do two wrongs make a right? Any child that God has created should always be allowed to live. The mother and father can be brave and raise the child with all the love they can give it. If they can’t love or take care of the child, they can give him or her up for adoption to be given to a couple who can love and nurture the child the way the baby deserves. One day that child may become President of the United States, a great musician or artist, or a wonderful mother or father.
What About In The Case Of Protecting The Life Of The Mother?
In this day and age, with science and medicine progressing to the point it has, this question almost is a moot point. With caesarian (c- section) surgery and other medical techniques, the life of the mother is almost never at risk.
What I’m about to share may be shocking to some but I believe it is biblical. The physician should use all means to save both the mother and child. The doctor or others must not play God and decide who should live, either the mother or the child. That is God’s decision, for He created them