Posted on 09/08/2010 7:29:42 AM PDT by DrewsMum
for you grammar police, I am aware the title in wrong in so many ways ;0)
As a Christian and a very very very political one at that, history teacher and Political Science major....I get more criticism for my "politicking" from Christians than any of my liberal acquaintences....
They call me mean because I criticize (sometimes pretty harshly) Obama and his minions. They say Christianity of about LOVE and they way I react is NOT what Jesus would do. I have of course come right back at them from every direction possible. I need some fresh responses... and perspectives before I lose my mind. I refuse to let them shut me up....and since I hold Freepers way up on the intelligence pedestal, I would cherish some fresh ideas on how to respond to them.
So......why should Christians be involved in politics? And any reference to scripture is certainly welcome!!
Oh I get the point, but the priests were trying to trick Jesus into advocating a revolutionary point of view and he refused to be drawn into it. While on Earth, you are subject to the secular powers placed over you but we are also mindful that all things are subject to God’s authority. Unless secular powers are out and out wicked and exhorting men to disobey God, we are to be subject to them.
God gives Governments “a sword” as Paul put it to execute judgment against the wicked and to keep order and we are to be subject to those principalities. We “have nothing to fear if we do what is right”, but if we “act wickedly” then we are subject to judgement. by the earthly principalities.
The question arose over the millenia about the sorts of governments we should rebel against should a Christian people be prevented in pursuing their God and exercising Christian conscience and liberty. Logically, in the end, the people ultimately in a collective sense, give their collective power in consent to a governing power. Perhaps they have been bamboozeled or militarily intimidated but ultimately a government can not rule when its subjects say “NO!”. The Romans learned the hard way at Masada just how hard it would be to rule the Jews of Palestine when they took their own lives rather than submit.
The French Huguenots who weren’t killed left France and went to England and other lands, taking their manufacturing and engineering prowess with them. They had refused to submit to forced Catholicism and thus England profited from the Industrial revolution while France languished.
David numbered the people against God’s law and God responded to David’s sin by sending pestilence on the people and not on David himself. David had correctly surmised that his power(while ordained by God) drew from his governed people; his pride and arrogance provoked God and the people suffered. The suffering of the people tore at David’s heart and he repented. If the people had cried out to David not to do the census before he proceeded and David had relented, perhaps the story would have gone a little differently. Here we have direct evidence of the people being chastised for the action of their government;they loved David and had carried out his wishes hence they were also held responsible for carrying out David’s unwise census.
The power of all governments ultimately is derived thru the consent of the people and all people themselves are subject to the laws of God. Governments are corrupted as their subjects become corrupted and become blind to God.
Hence we are render our souls to God and his purifying grace as we render our earthly allegiances to the secular powers. The secular powers are only as righteous or unrighteous as their subjects who lend collectively their consent to be governed by those same powers.
Hence we do render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and we render to God that which is God’s! Remember though in a representive republic, our Caesar is “us” and there-fore “we the people” individually and collectively, are more doubly accountable to God for our actions as citizens of this nation!
Here’s your scriptures: John 16:1-4, John 18:36.
Christians throughout the ages have tried to force the kingdom, with predictably disastrous results (you’re not Him).
Be a good citizen (vote and advocate). Render unto Caesar.
But don’t mix up the vertical (kingdom) with the horizontal (politics).
My reply to this person would be as follows:
Jesus thought so highly of me, that He died to ensure my place in heaven. I am eternally grateful that He has paid for my ticket to the Kingdom, as I don't think I would be able to afford your fare. (referring to the person who posted on your Facebook page)
As to Christians being involved in politics...the more man depends on government, the less he depends on God. Why is it that as Christians we see the good and the value in helping people break from addictions to drugs, alcohol, or gambling, but do not see the good or the value in helping people break from their addictions to government hand outs?
Another gem, I really enjoy reading your posts.
Why should Christians be involved in politics,see Hitler.
David numbered the people against God’s law and God responded to David’s sin by sending pestilence on the people and not on David himself. David had correctly surmised that his power(while ordained by God) drew from his governed people; his pride and arrogance provoked God and the people suffered. The suffering of the people tore at David’s heart and he repented. If the people had cried out to David not to do the census before he proceeded and David had relented, perhaps the story would have gone a little differently. Here we have direct evidence of the people being chastised for the action of their government;they loved David and had carried out his wishes hence they were also held responsible for carrying out David’s unwise census.
The power of all governments ultimately is derived thru the consent of the people and all people themselves are subject to the laws of God. Governments are corrupted as their subjects become corrupted and become blind to God.
Hence we are render our souls to God and his purifying grace as we render our earthly allegiances to the secular powers. The secular powers are only as righteous or unrighteous as their subjects who lend collectively their consent to be governed by those same powers.
Hence we do render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and we render to God that which is God’s! Remember though in a representive republic, our Caesar is “us” and there-fore “we the people” individually and collectively, are more doubly accountable to God for our actions as citizens of this nation!
If God is only about love how do they explain Jericho, Sodom and Gamorah, Samson, and all people other than Noah and his family?
The Bible relates military battle of almost every one of the heros of the Bible.
Abraham himself used some pretty brutal tactics to rescue his nephew Lot.
Over and over God gave the Israelites instruction on how to conquer and most often didn’t leave to many alive when they were done.
Since we are a self-governing nation, you have a responsibility to.
Wow. That’s the kind of post that gets a reply of “check your private msgs” where I set them straight, chew them out for their rudeness and let them know that this type of attack is why they are now off my friends list. I then go to my page and post that while I like discussion, I don’t tolerate personal attacks and the person is off my list.
The very Christians who would condemn political involvement are the ones who are BENEFITTING from the sacrifices and political involvement of our founders. So why should THEY get a free ride and criticize you? We are called to be both “salt” and “light.” That means that we as Christians are to pray daily for our leaders, our country, and our culture and always remind them of what is right, true, and just. Our republic is different from any form of government that has ever existed, in that it emanates and originates from THE PEOPLE (ultimately from God). Still, we “render” taxes and obey laws as long as they do not conflict with God’s principles. Have them study the life of William Wilberforce to see what one man can do!
You’re right. I’ve often wondered how conservative Christians handled the whole Hitler thing. Wonder how many were first hoodwinked, then horrified.
Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth. That is, give it some flavor. We are not to hide our light under a basket. In other words, we are to be seen and influence people. Not coercively, either.
WOW! If this woman calls herself a Christian she had better start reading her bible. She has a root of bitterness, anger and hatred. I would not want her as my neighbor much less my friend. Her words were ugly and vicious and totally not Christlike. REPENT lady:(). She better give back her bumper sticker, her highlighter and her Jesus pin! What a hypocrite she is. Not only that, she judged you and the bible says 'Judge not and you won't be judged" Oh-Oh!
That was very kind of you to take the time to explain all that to her. I learned something too - thanks!
Consider it a compliment....and consider removing people like this from your life.
Exactly - DELETE that sucker.
Since the politically motivated gay community decided to push their agenda hard and get elected to local town governments, PTAs and school boards, the only Christian response has to be to do the same.
Well, we know what happened to Bonhoeffer!
And, what about the book of Revelation - not too much meekness and mildness going on there!
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