Month: June 2017
Are Taxes Immoral? Should Christians Pay Taxes?
Posted on June 28, 2017 in Money, Public Policy, Theology by Nathan Cherry
The question that arose in conversation is whether taxes are appropriate or whether they are theft. Some subsequent conversation is whether Christians should stand against taxes and oppose any form of taxation or dutifully pay our taxes.
There’s one perspective that says: the Bible says theft is sin, taxes are theft, and therefore taxes are sinful.
Though this is a simplification of the position, it is a good summary and starting point for the discussion. This position says that God never ordains taxes and never gives the government authority to impose taxes. Because all authority is derived from God and God never gives explicit authority to impose taxes, taxation is theft. And since theft is a violation of God’s moral law (10 Commandments), any government imposition of taxes is theft and should be opposed.
Will Christians Continue to Support Bernie Sanders After His Attack on Faith?
Posted on June 27, 2017 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
Vought is an evangelical Christian. As such he dares to hold the audacious view that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Though this is the “enlightened” 21st century, Vought is so “narrow-minded” and “intolerant” as to believe what the Bible says about salvation and what 2000 years of Christians have continued to believe: Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. He even made this mind-blowing statement:
Should a Christian School Refuse to let a Pregnant Student Take Part in Graduation? Maybe?
Posted on June 21, 2017 in Life by Nathan Cherry
First I want to say that I am thankful for Maddi’s decision to keep her baby. I would hope that in a Christian home this would be the case but we all know that it has not always turned out this way. The fact that this young lady will graduate high school and soon after give birth to her first child is a credit to her faith. I rejoice that the tiny life inside her will not be subjected to torture and death.
But the real issue here is not the fact that Maddi chose life.
Do Kids Really go to Heaven When They Die?
Posted on June 20, 2017 in Family, Theology by Nathan Cherry
While we may have good intentions for our efforts to comfort grieving parents, Christians must make sure that their intentions, efforts, and words are based solely on Scripture. There is no real comfort in telling someone what cannot be supported by Scripture. So before we tell parents that their child is now in Heaven, we need to examine Scripture to determine whether that is true or not.
The traditional, somewhat historical position can be summed up in a statement by Sam Storms, writing at The Gospel Coalition, when he says:
Settled Science: You Can Be Either Male or Female
Posted on June 15, 2017 in Public Policy, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Let me start by saying I love the differences between men and women. I know that’s probably not a popular thing to say in our culture as we are supposed to downplay the differences between the sexes. Not me, I like the differences and I like celebrating our differences.
Up until about 10 years ago it was normal, popular even, to celebrate the differences between the sexes. Routinely within our culture we praised men for certain things and women for other things. This, despite the growing assault of the feminist movement, was nothing that would capture headlines.
Then things changed.
Does Man Have Free Will to Choose Christ? Not So Fast!
Posted on June 13, 2017 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The view concerning man’s will is one of debate among Arminians and Reformed theologians. Arminians believe that man has the ability, the free will, to choose Christ. Reformed theologians believe that due to the bondage of the will to sin, man does not have the ability to choose Christ without the regenerating work and effectual calling of the Holy Spirit. This distinction has been the source of much debate between these two theological groups.
Before moving forward, it is important to understand that it is a universally agreed upon fact that man has a will and can make choices based upon that will. However, what is not true is that man has the ability to freely choose Christ based solely upon his own free will. Let me explain the difference.
Have You Been Fooled By These 5 Myths of Reformed Theology?
Posted on June 7, 2017 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
I appreciate an article by Michael Horton in which he helps to clear up some of the more common myths surrounding Reformed Theology. Horton is a well-respected theology professor and theologian that regularly blogs and discusses theological topics at his podcast, The White Horse Inn. Horton carefully discusses each of these myths and others in great detail in his work For Calvinism.
The above referenced article addresses five of the more common myths surrounding Reformed Theology in a quick, overview type format. The five myths that Horton addresses are:
A Major Religious Freedom Victory You Probably Didn’t Hear About
Posted on June 6, 2017 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
Adamson made it very clear that he would be willing to print shirts for the group if it did not promote the homosexual lifestyle, which he told the newspaper. This shows that he has no animosity towards any person and he certainly does not hate anyone. Adamson simply wants to live and do business according to his religious convictions. And he does not want the government to tell him he must support a message that violates those convictions.
Adamson also told The Blaze that it was about the message of the pride festival and the fact that it would violate his convictions to support that message:
Planned Parenthood is Really “Angry” Over Bill to Repeal Obamacare. Why?
Posted on June 1, 2017 in Life by Nathan Cherry
Planned Parenthood is the world’s largest abortion merchant. That’s really all they do. Sure, they hand out condoms, they give birth control pills to girls and women, and they will offer a pregnancy test. But, in the form of substantive health care services to women, including pregnant women, they have nothing more to offer than abortions. So let’s not trick ourselves into thinking that Planned Parenthood is somehow a health center where any person, male or female, can receive comprehensive health care services.
This makes Cecile Richards’ letter complaining over the new healthcare repeal “defunding Planned Parenthood” and “stripping healthcare from millions,” an act of desperation.