Politicals and the Standards of the Bible

HUH? I can not think of a better final source than the scriptures.

 

The Baptists on this board can not agree to what the Bible "says" or "means" or what the Law "says" or "means." If Baptists can not convince Baptists how shall Baptists convince atheists to adopt anything in the Bible?

 

Of course you can't. Nor can I. But we're Christians. Most in this country aren't, nor have they ever been, nor can we expect them to be. That's a big reason why the Kingdom people must be about Christ, not politics.

No joke. Baptists are a silly breed.

 

I would be interested for anyone to show where scripture forbids or even simply suggests Christians should not be involved in politics.

 

Where does the bible say that (secular) government assistance should be very limited? I'm just asking, not necessarily disagreeing, because I've never come across such a statement before.

 

I seem to remember Joseph taxing the people of Egypt during prosperity, then distributing social welfare during the famine.

 

No, but I think it's silly for the Church to worry so much about the game and ignore our real calling, which is furthering the Kingdom. If someone feels led to be involved, that's between them and God. But as a whole, there are far more important things and far better ways to influence real heart change in people.

 

I believe you are on to something here. IF the church and Christians were really doing their job of being Christ-like to their country and to the world politics would be taken care of with no comments being necessary. Our job is to take Christ to the world.

 

>I seem to remember Joseph taxing the people of Egypt during prosperity, then distributing social welfare during the famine.

NOT exactly! Joseph was a big business internationalist Republican. He doubled the taxes on the working class and then when the famine came he ran up the price of food and sold food back to them. When their money ran out he traded food for farm land. When the famine broke Joseph owned (controlled) all the land in Egypt that was not owned by the priests (church).

 

The biblical stands for morality apply to believers specifically in terms of their judicial warrant. While we can, as believers, seek to have our society reflect those values we cannot force the morality upon those who disagree with us.

As believers we are given God's commands to align our lives and values with. We are given God's expectation of our conduct. It is for our growing sanctification, in part. For those who don't believe the commands are a continued case concerning their unbelief.

BTW, I don't buy that the Bible teaches "limited government" or against "government assistance."

This is a failing argument imho. Biblical ideas aren't good ideas because they have extra-biblical support. They're good ideas because they are God's ways for us.

 

It was a 20% flat tax. It wasn't given to people who refused to work. This is a weak analogy.

 

Just curious, Roger. How much did Joseph set aside to cover section 8 free housing & food stamps to unwed mothers ?