International Bible Teaching Ministries
Earthly Citizenship
Question 1: Is it good for Christians to be soldiers?
ANSWER: A man can be a soldier and remain a faithful Christian! Some have thought otherwise on the basis of the sixth commandment which says, "Thou shall not kill." This commandment had to do, however, with the individual and did not apply to governments. It was simply a prohibition against premeditated murder. Every man has the right of self-protection and self-defense (Exodus 22:2), as the protector of home and family. The same principle would be true in defense of one's homeland. However, to engage in any capacity in wars of hatred and conquest for purposes of territorial expansion, liquidation of peoples, and/or confiscation of another's wealth is wrong. In such activities a Christian may not engage, though he may be so directed by his government. God's law in this case supersedes governmental law. When such occurs, we are to obey God, rather than man (Acts 5:29)!
Question 2: Is it wrong for a Christian to vote?
ANSWER: No! Governments are ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7). It is therefore right for Christians to participate in the selection process with regard to related biblical principles. Support for governmental activities, however, must always be limited to those matters that are not contrary to God's will (Acts 5:29). For example, I fail to see how a faithful child of God can register a vote for a person or party that supports and promotes abortion, the killing of untold thousands of innocents.
Question 3: Is it okay for a Christian to be involved in politics? Can a Christian serve as a president, governor or member of a council?
ANSWER: If a man or woman can serve God in government, regardless of office, without compromising faithfulness to Christ, there would be no violation of Scripture. On the other hand, any affiliation that would cause compromise is sinful and is not, therefore, okay (II Corinthians 6:14-18). There is little doubt that very often political office tends toward personal corruption of various sorts. Because of this the discerning Christian will weigh heavily all of the factors involved before entering such areas of employment.
Question 4: Is it advisable for a Christian to salute or honor a national flag? If yes, explain Daniel 3:8-25.
ANSWER: Yes! There is no parallel between Daniel 3:8-25 and saluting or honoring a flag. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not directed to salute or honor a flag. They were commanded (Vs.6 & 11) to bow down and worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up (Vs.3). There is a great deal of difference between honor and worship! There is little doubt that Daniel and the other men honored the king by being obedient to him and being participants in governmental functions (Daniel 2:48-49). Their disobedience came only when the king's laws were in conflict with the laws of God, as should be the case with all men (Acts 5:29), thus, their refusal to worship.
We certainly are to worship only the God of heaven (Revelation 22:9), but just as certainly we are told to "honor the king" (I Peter 2:17), to "be subject to the higher powers" (Romans 13:1), and to "render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). A salute reflects honor, not worship!
Question 5: Why didn’t the New Testament condemn slavery as a crime, but it encouraged slaves and masters to be fair with each other?
ANSWER: Because the systems of government that existed at that time, as is the case today, were ordained of God as legal institutions. There’s not a significant difference today in the way countries and businesses are operated. There is a working class that engages in manual labor, for the most part, and a managerial class that does the planning and organization, being in control of the manual laborers. This has always been the case. We just don’t call it “slavery” today in our legal systems! In fact, many so-called slaves under the old systems of “slavery” lived much less rigorous and more comfortable lives than do some of the manual laborers of today! The problem with any government or business, whether in existence at that time, or today, is not necessarily the form of government, but, more often than not, the abuses by government and business. The New Testament addressed the problem at hand at that time and for all time in Paul’s instructions to both slave and master; to laborer and manager (Philemon). Undoubtedly this biblical legislation had much to do with reducing the misuse and abuse of the working class that existed earlier, but now, for the most part, has eased considerably. Though men may often recognize a difference or inequality in classes or castes, we can be sure that God does not (Acts 10:34)! Whether a “slave” of yesterday or a manual laborer of today; whether a “master” of yesterday or an employer of today, the New Testament legislates clearly how one is to treat the other!
However, no matter the form of government we may be thrust under, Christians are instructed in all situations to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty (I Timothy 2:2), with the realization that all men, then and today, were and are equal before Him.
Question 6: How could Paul be a Roman Citizen and an Israelite at the same time?
ANSWER: He was born an Israelite, circumcised the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5)! There were certain cities within the Roman Empire at that time which were, because of past services rendered to the Emperor of Rome, granted the designation of being a “free city.” This designation included the privilege and rights of Roman citizenship to those who lived within the “free” cities. The city of Tarsus in which Paul was born was a “free city.” He, therefore, held dual citizenship, both, as an Israelite and as a Roman.
Question 7: Does Christianity abolish everything about one’s culture?
ANSWER: No! It does not. However, when any cultural practice violates scripture, then that cultural practice must be abolished in order to comply with the will of God. For example, many people in Africa engage in the cultural practice of polygamy. Such a practice constitutes adultery, which is in total violation of God’s Word. From the beginning it was God's law that there be one man and wife, and that the two would become one flesh (Genesis 2:22-25; Matthew 19:3-9)! These two would be bound only to each other until separated by death (Romans 7:1-3). There is no room in the God ordained marriage for more than two people! During the Old Testament dispensation, God suffered (permitted) temporary changes to His original plan, because of the hardness of the hearts of the Jews. Because of this, Moses suffered them to put away their wives (Matthew 19:8). Jesus tells those of us under the New Testament dispensation that "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8). In Verse nine, Jesus says, "But I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Jesus effectively tells people under the New Testament that we are not permitted to adopt the cultural marriage practices of those who lived previously, but rather we are to go back to God's original plan from the very beginning, that is, one man, one woman, for life! Culture does not overrule the word of God!
Also certain cultural practices are not sinful when practiced outside of the church, but may be sinful when practiced during the worship services. For example, it is not wrong to play drums outside of the worship service. However, to use them in the worship service to God would be a sinful violation of scripture, because He does not authorize their use as an element of worship to Him.