Posted on 02/18/2008 7:36:59 AM PST by GOPPachyderm
Sermon mp3 from this past weekend at non-denominational church in Twin Cities on government's role in restraining evil, such as war and capital punishment. Separate link to sermon slides in powerpoint form.
Mighta wanted to post this in ‘religion’ not news/activism.
:-)
The sermon will move down the page and eventually disappear, so you should include the link to the actual sermon
http://www.twincityfellowship.com/audio/sermon_mp3/20080217_tcf_sermon.mp3
Eric Douma at Twin City Fellowship in the Twin Cities discusses capital punishment and war from biblical perspective. Clearly presented and easy to understand.
Oops - first time I have posted. Yes I would have - I didn’t see religion listed.
So many years ago I heard, was taught, and followed the mantra ... "Never talk politics, religion and sex."
So fast forward ... and where is all our teouble?
Politics
Religion
and sex.
My reading of some of the colonial papers when we were considering revolution and independence has shown me that (some of) the pulpits were HOT with politics.
Romans 13 is an excellent basis for thinking about how God established "the magistrate" ... and because we are all to "try the spirits to see if they be of God" and to "come, let us reason together" ... using "All scripture is given" and is "profitable for .... instruction ... " ....
I think these sermons (especially THIS year) ... most certainly DO belong in politics ... and activism.
We never should have bought into the "Never discuss politics, religion and sex" thing in the first place .... that only put it under a cover to prevent the watchman's eyes from seeing.
We're to have a trowel in one hand ... and a sword in the other .... as we re-build the wall (nation)
yup - listen to the sermon.
What it gets at is that we cannot expect the govt OR the church to usher in some lasting ‘peace.’
... and now that I’ve started reading your home page ...... Maranatha.
thanks. :-)
come quickly Lord!
I always thought the ‘don’t talk religion, politics, and sex’ was nothing but BS that came out of the Roosevelt era.
I always thought the ‘don’t talk religion, politics, and sex’ was nothing but BS that came out of the Roosevelt era.
Beats me ... I just think those areas are the ones that are being used to tear the fabric of America.
One of the three legs of the stool:
The institution of Marriage and Family
The institution of the Church
The institution of Government
When the Government tries to usurp the role and responsibilities of the family or church it causes great inefficiencies, tumult and waste. Most of the waste in government spending is caused by politicians try to fix problem that can only be addressed spiritually and in the family.
I listened to the whole sermon; he makes the same distinction our colonial ancestors made with respect to Romans 13 and he put the pacifist argument to rest the same way they would have as well. I do think, however, that the historic Christian church has seen “the government shall be upon His shoulder” as a prophecy that is ongoing, and being perfected, very incompletely, over time. Before the advent of Christianity, in Europe, our Druid ancestors were wearing their enemy’s heads on their belt loops, (using the eyeball sockets for loops.) It’s hard not to see the civilizing influence of Christ upon history. That’s not to take an ounce away from his argument that only through Christ, and not through the virtuous striving of men, can a just civil state ever be sought, much less achieved, but I sometimes think that we can yield to the temptation not to occupy the vineyard, not to re-build the wall, because we’re waiting for the final kingdom and not taking Christ at His literal word, that “the kingdom is at hand.”
Appreciate that you listened to the sermon. I thought he makes some excellent points.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.