Question Box
Good News Magazine
June 1959
Volume: Vol VIII, No. 6
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Question Box
Good News Staff  

Should Christians Serve On Juries?

   From time to time members are called upon by the courts to Serve on Juries. As jury members we place ourselves in a position — along with others — of passing judgment on fellow human beings.
   This means of arriving at a verdict is deemed fair in the eyes of our civil law. But what does God say about it?
   God is allowing the nations in this age to rule themselves. God intends that the nations should judge in matters according to their law. But, their laws are not according to the Bible. Their ways are NOT God's ways (Isaiah 55:8).
   Jurists today do not consult the Law of God to determine the guilt or innocence — or the penalty that should be imposed. The laws by which those indicted are judged today are man made laws! To participate on a jury we must associate ourselves with, and become a part of, the nations and laws of this world. But, our "kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). We do not meddle with the politics of this world.
   Two points should be kept in mind concerning this question. One is that a prejudiced person automatically disqualifies himself for jury duty. All prospective jury members are asked if they are already prejudiced in the case. Any true Christian must answer that he is! The knowledge of God's truth and His ways prejudice us against man's laws to the extent that it is impossible to judge a fellow man based on man's law. Such participation is direct disobedience to the command to "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).
   Secondly, those chosen for jury duty are selected from the list of registered voters or volunteers in each area. Those who do not register or who do not volunteer, are not called to participate. Mr. Armstrong's article, "How Would Jesus Vote For President," which appeared in the October 1956 issue of the Plain Truth, fully explains what God thinks about voting. Write for this issue if you have not already read it.

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Good News MagazineJune 1959Vol VIII, No. 6