Why wasn't Christ or Paul involved in politics?

To oppose the use of guns in a modern society is the highest ideal. It is just an American thingy and a misunderstanding of the constitution to support the free use of guns in society. It is anti-Christian and the works of the devil.

Canada has taken a balanced approach to gun use. It allows them for legal hunting whilst making their possession in all other areas illegal. I like that.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim I will give you the chance to explain what you mean above because brother I don't get it.

Murph

 

I'm still waiting for the answer to this also!

 

BUMP!!!

 

I like the balance you acheived in the last paragraph there David. The mixture of the gospel and politics has not only caused massive problems in N. Ireland, it has caused anger and bitterness among brothers in Christ. We even need to be careful about how we "speak out". "Speaking the truth in love" must be our theme. I am terribly frustrated by the fact, as mentioned in other threads, that Republicanism is linked with being patriotic, and some even doubt the salvation of those who do not support the party. "My brethren these things ought not so to be."

 

Jesus and Paul weren't in politics, because Christianity was not intnended to be a political movement. It is we who have made it so. May God forgive us.

 

What if I were sent to another country to be an ambassador? Would I be representing the country I am from and it's ideals or would I be representing myself and my own ideals (what's good for me)? In the ideal sense, I think I would be there to spread good will, offer assistance (if needed), and I would be on my best behavior always. I would be a foreigner with great "backing". A foreign ambassador should not have contempt for the government or the citizens of the country he has been sent to.

When would I deliberately "interfere" with the government of the country I am visiting? If I do "interfere" would the decision be mine alone or would I act on behalf of the government I represent? Would I ever act without counsel from the leadership of my own government? When would my country call me back or warn me to flee if relations break down and danger is ahead? Maybe a corrective invasion by my government is eminent and I know it not.

What if that government that I was representing was the government of all governments? The qualifications for it's citizens very specific, clear, and even holy. A good government chooses it's representatives very well. I trust the government of the country where I am from.

The clear message to me is that I am not of this world. I represent another country with perfect and harmless intentions, pureness of heart and faultless ideals. I represent the government of all governments.

This is the politics of all politics and worthy of being active in. The propaganda of my government is healing and salvation or rather "good news" (if you will). It is the politics of love and forgiveness. As in any other country, there will be many that will not agree, and I must be delicate with them because I am a foreigner. I should know that before hand lest I become personally offended and thereby become unfruitful. Nevertheless, I know not all of those specifics. I am just sent, and what information I do have is on a need to know basis.

Dave

 

Was just reading McArthur's commentary on 1 Timothy, and commenting on 1 Tim 2:2 concerning prayer "For kings, and for all that are in authority."

He wrote, "If the church today took the time and energy it spends on political maneuvering and lobbying and poured them into intercessory prayer we might see a profound impact on our nation. We have all too often forgotten that 'the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds' (2 Cor 10:4). The key to changing a nation is the salvation of sinners, and that calls for faithful prayer."

Amen! I read that and thought of this thread.

 

I agree Ulsterman

There is still hope.

I hope.

Dave

 

Thank God the weapon of our warfare was a fine up to date assault weapon (the musket) when the "Lobsterbacks" were quartering their horses in our church buildings. If we followed McArthur's theology we'd all still be subjects of the crown and be drinking English tea. That type of theology holds to the idea that our American Patriot Fathers were rebels before God and my Bible doesn't say that. McArthur needs to start over and read again.

Thanks ----Bart "the dueling society was a polite society"

 

Not necessarily. I can't extend MacArthur's comments past where he left them but I agree up to this point.

The problems in America are not largely political, economical, or social. The root problem is the spiritual condition of individual Americans. The will of the people can still be peacefully implemented if enough of the people come to a saving relationship with Christ and follow him. It doesn't matter what we do politically. If the spiritual trends in the US continue to decay, we are headed for a collapse no matter which party is in charge.

Kings and kingdoms pass away. No great society ever foresaw its end until it was too late. At the current pace of moral decay, the US probably has 50-100 years before until we no longer have the necessary character to exist as a free (now moderately free) society. Widespread sexual deviancy (all sorts), the break down of the family, the erosion of basic honesty, self-worship, etc. all have consequences. It doesn't take the whole society to be this way. It doesn't even require a majority. It only takes a large enough number to force the majority to "do something about it."

 

Bart, I didn't realize that the revolutionary war was God versus Satan.

I notice you didn't offer any Scripture and didn't even address what MacArthur did say.

Peace, truth, and Florida State

 

If we followed McArthur's theology we'd all still be subjects of the crown and be drinking English tea.

The teas not bad

 

See? McArthur's theology is not all that bad

 

See? McArthur's theology is not all that bad
</font>[/QUOTE]Are you assuming we would have still forcibly removed the native governments that were found already in existance on this continent?

 

Christ and Paul were teaching for us to look to God for help and leadership.
God first then family then church. As a child in the 40's for the most part most familys took care of family, if they couldn't the church helped and if that wasn't enough the neighbors helped.
We are to show grace to other and love them, if we love them we will help them and show grace to them. Today we look for the goverment for help and leadership. We all know our rights but do we know our duty? Our duty is to glorify God. Our goverment today and in the past, some more some less is to glorify man and to keep power.
So Christ and Paul were teaching the Gospel and when folks accepts Christ as Saviour that would be better for all. Look at Joseph and Daniel in the OT, that shows what can be done in politics and goverment.

 

Hey, Bartimus!
Realize this, the Bible that you use were written almost exclusively to a people under seige and persecution. The taxes of King George were nothing compared to the horrors Rome inflicted upon Christians. Yet, strangely enough Jesus and Paul never sought to change legislation but rather to change hearts. I long to be Christ-like, not MacAurthur-like and certainly not Robertson-like or Fallwell-like. Mac is on the right track here and Christians everywhere (except here) realize it.
Challenge: Read the book "Resident Aliens- A Provocative Asessment Of Culture and Ministry for People Who Know that Something is Wrong".
It will help you think like a Christian who is blessed to be living in America as opposed to an American who happens to be Christian.

At the old Baptist church where I preach we sing, "This world is not my home, I'm justa passin' thru."

Brother Adams
Radical Christian &
Resident Alien

 

Perhaps the reason that Christ never advocated for a political "answer" is because politics does not offer any hope to a lost humanity!