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 Dear
bro. Turner:
Do
You understand it is wrong for a Christian to be a union man and
do all the things the Unions do? P.F.
Reply:
I
find nothing wrong in workers joining together for bargaining
with management, settling claims, etc. The matter, at this
point, is nothing more than business judgment whereby a man uses
his time and talent to best advantage. As a unit of an economic
and social system, he may use legal means to improve his lot.
This is not “church” business, but principles of Christian
conduct apply here as in all affairs of a Christian’s life.
Living
a Christian life, and letting our light shine in the world, we
will be a leavening influence and affect changes. This is a “side
effect” of our determination to serve God and seek heaven. But
Christianity does not directly challenge the social or economic
order. Saints who are domestic slaves must “count their
masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the
doctrine be not blasphemed.” Even if the master is also a
saint the social and domestic order is not necessarily changed
(1 Tim. 6:1-2), although the master is reminded of his
obligation to God (Eph. 6:5-9, Col. 3:22-4:l). (See 1 Cor.
7:20-24.) Management also has the right to use legal bargaining
power with labor.
But
the second part of the query raises other problems. A Christian
who is in management is not at liberty “for the good of the
company” to violate the principles of his master, Christ. Nor
is the worker excused, by union vote, to destroy property,
mistreat a fellow-worker, or steal time from the
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employer. Our obligation to God
must remain first, in all affairs of life. If management
or labor demands something of the individual that is
inconsistent with his service to the Lord, the Christian will
quit his job rather than deny the Lord.
And
I might add — until we take our service to the Lord that
seriously, we stand little chance of teaching others that we are
serious about serving God and going to heaven.
Bro.
Turner:
Does
a man grow into an elder, and does he have authority in
the church whether accepted or not? F.W
Reply:
The
Greek “presbuteros” means “advanced in age, a senior,”
and is use in contrast to youth. Respect for age is under
consideration in 1 Tim. 5:1, cf. Titus 2:2-f. But the “estate
of the elders” (Acts 22:5), and “presbytery” (1 Tim. 4:14)
refer to men who by recognition and appointment are “elders”
in an additional sense. All Greek-English lexicons consulted (5)
recognize this use of the word.
A
man grows old, experienced, etc., but he is NOT an elder,
bishop, overseer, shepherd in a local church until his
qualifications are recognized by the congregation and he is
appointed. “Ordain, things wanting” (Titus 1:5) and “appointed
(for) them” (Acts 14:23), clearly shows this. He is appointed
to a work, not an “official position.” Abuse of “authority”
does not justify the “grow into” error.
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