Africa grapples with Romans 13

UPI ^ | July 3, 2002 | Uwe Siemon-Netto

[concerned about politics]

Understanding Romans 1 would cure most of their problems. They should start there first.

[Lurker]

Ping

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Thanks for the Ping, old friend.

I didn't know anyone else besides me took any interest in this subject (African Christianity). But it's true... "...evangelical Christianity is becoming the dominant force in sub-Saharan Africa".

And Calvinist Christians ARE moving... as fast as we can.

The Christian Reconstruction of Zambia (by Brian M. Abshire)
In October 1987, Peter Hammond and three other Frontline Fellowship missionaries, experienced first hand the hospitality of this Marxist miracle when they were arrested for bringing Bibles into the country. They were beaten with rifle butts, prodded with bayonets, stripped of their clothes and incarcerated in cells covered in human filth. Blindfolded, barefooted and in chains, they sang Gospel hymns as they were paraded through the streets of Livingstone and Lusaka.

What Peter and his colleagues did not realize was that they were sharing their prison cells with the next government of Zambia! During the following weeks of Bible study, prayer and vigorous discussions in the prison, they were able to teach Biblical principles of government to the very men God would raise up after He deposed the Marxists; the future vice-president of Zambia - General Godfrey Miyanda - and a few cells away, Frederick Chiluba, the future Christian President of Zambia. After prayer and worldwide pressure set Peter and his colleagues free, Frontline was one of the few ministries alerting people to the plight of the suffering Christians in Zambia. Ultimately socialism wrecked its inevitable havoc and without support from the collapsing Soviet Empire, the nation teetered on economic and social anarchy. Mass protests and nationwide prayer vigils finally forced the Zambian government to its knees. The first multi-party elections were held on October 31, 1991. The result was a crushing 5 to 1 defeat for Kaunda. The first freely elected President, Frederick Chiluba, promptly testified to the saving power of Christ and called for a day of prayer.

The Zambian government next outlawed abortion. Abortion clinics were closed down and illegal clinics were raided by the police. Abortionists were beaten and imprisoned and their equipment was smashed. The vice-president - General Miyanda - courageously made a strong stand for the right to life of the unborn at the Cairo Conference. He totally rejected the UN and WHO promotion of abortion.

Unfortunately, Satan's Wolves (I am not ashamed to call false prophets by that name) are moving every bit as fast as are we...

Peter ended his interview by telling me some of the unbelievably imbecilic things done by the bulk of American missionaries and so-called "Christian" workers who are flooding into Zambia. The "Name it, claim it and frame it" - "Health, wealth and prosperity" crowd are invading Zambia big-time. This actually is one of the counter-catches of freedom - only the bravest and most Biblical Christians risk ministering in Communist countries. But once the day of freedom comes, the 5-star, jet-setting, hyper, turbo boosted evangelists pour in. Needless to say, there is a war going on in Zambia right now. It is not only a war against the effects of socialism and humanism - it is against the superficial, insipid, artificial, nauseating, sensational and materialistic message of the antinomian, blow-dried evangelists.

Who will triumph in Africa? Christianity, or The Gospel of Candied Lies? Only God knows...

This is God's victory and only He can bring it to fruition. But we can also publish the testimony of Zambia as far and as widely as God allows. A reconstructed Zambia could be the beginning of a world wide revival. As central Africa is depopulated by AIDs, a strong Christian nation, blessed by God could spread throughout the continent. Who knows, in a few decades, we may need their missionaries to put our own nation back together again. God is sovereign, whatever judgments He brings against us will not stop His Kingdom growing until it fills the earth. Perhaps we too will have to face some dark years until we humble ourselves, repent from our sins, and seek His face. But darkness is only the absence of light. The Adversaries victories are only for a season. Our Lord's are forever. Our God reigns!

Thanks again for the ping.

[BlackVeil]

"Luther called quietist preachers unfaithful pigs." He was such a nice guy.

[gcruse]

Another memorable phrase was, and I forget to whom it was referring, "a foul bag of maggots."

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Luther was not necessarily a nice guy.

He did, however, enjoy the virtue of being Right.

[Darth Sidious]

I wonder if the Founding Fathers sinned when they resisted the authorities... namely King George III.

[gcruse]

Evidently, 'cause 216 years later we reaped a whirlwind.

[nmh]

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God ... Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed."
<p.I don't know what the hoopla is all about here. Yes, God puts people in power and we are to pray for all BUT that doesn't mean that when government contradicts God's teachings that we ignore God and follow man. Of course not! When you rebel against ungodly laws there will be a consequence. You will please God and be rewarded by Him if your motivation is honest BUT you will be punished by man's laws. So, depending on what the issue is, one must decide who they serve; God or mere imperfect mortals.

[nmh]

Thank God for Luther! He persisted and now Christians have the Bible to read. It is God's Word that is important not mere fallible mortals.

[concerned about politics]

I wonder if the Founding Fathers sinned when they resisted the authorities... namely King George III.

"If you have not a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."
Jesus was a adical of the period. He turned over the tables at the temple. 60 solders were sent to arrest him when it was time for him to fullfill prophacy. One prophet cut off a soldiers ear!
If Jesus was as timid as they say, why send 60 soldiers to get him?
Jesus was kind to his followers and taught his followers to be kind to one another and strangers, but Jesus was a threat to the powers that be because he preached worship of the father rather than the Priests and Pharoes. That made him a desenter. His priorities were heavenly, and publically spoke out against the rulers of the day.
"If your rightousness does not exceed that of the pharoes......"

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

I wonder if the Founding Fathers sinned when they resisted the authorities... namely King George III. 8 posted on 7/3/02 9:23 PM Pacific by Darth Sidious

No.

The "obey the Government" passage applies to a good Government... one which "punishes Evil" (Murder, Adultery, Theft, Fraud, Coercion -- Romans 13: 8-10), and respects Virtue.

Christians should obey that sort of Government... the Government which prevailed under the Equitable and Virtuous Seneca of Rome, who was the "Prime Minister" under Nero's early Government when Paul wrote that Passage.

Seneca was famously Constitutional and Just.

The first years of Nero's reign, under the direction of Burrus and Seneca, the real holders of power, were auspicious in every way. A series of regulations either abrogated or lessened the hardships of direct taxation, the arbitrariness of legislation and provincial administration, so that Rome and the empire were delighted, and the first five years of Nero's government were accounted the happiest of all time, regarded by Trajan as the best of the imperial era. ~~ The Catholic Encyclopedia

It is often pointed out, by "Submissive" christians, that the Government of Nero which followed Nero's coercive-murder of Seneca was indeed Tyrannical; and they seek to justify Christian Surrender on that basis. But there is absolutely no reason to apply Paul's words to that sort of Government. That was not the sort of Government which Paul was writing about at the time.

Paul was writing about Seneca. Besides Ron Paul, have you seen any hint of Seneca from your Government lately?

[concerned about politics]

CONT"D...

He did not advocate throwing over the government, but the changing of hearts. The leaders lose their credibility and power when the people no longer respect them. It's like a peacefull rebellion, but following the law as you do it.
I believe he believed in self defence, though..."For there is no greater love than for one man to give his life for another."

[CubicleGuy]

Romans 13 was written at a certain time, for a certain place, under different conditions, when living Apostles directed the Church. One might make the assumption that if it was good enough for the members of the Church in Paul's day that it ought to be good enough for us, some 1900 years later.

But that may not be a valid assumption at all. If God still talks to man, the objective ought to be obtaining the mind of God today regarding the conditions that Christians in Africa find themselves in right now.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.

Ahhh -- a perfect example of why some of the Modern Translations are often crap. The "Governing Authorities" bit is NOT CORRECT.

The KJV is better -- "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers"; I.E., every soul is subject TO GOD. See #13.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Romans 13 was written at a certain time, for a certain place, under different conditions,

No, Romans 13 is Universal.

But see #13 for exposition.

[Darth Sidious]

Excellent reply. Thank you!

[PaulKersey]

Another memorable phrase was, and I forget to whom it was referring, "a foul bag of maggots."

I believe he called the established clergy "pig farts". Such insight! Where is Luther today, when we really need him again?

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Excellent reply. Thank you! 18 posted on 7/3/02 9:49 PM Pacific by Darth Sidious

My pleasure. ALWAYS nice to chew theology with an old friend. Do well.