Applying God's Word to Politics

[studier]

Do you agree that if God says "Thou shalt not murder" in EX 20:13 and "Thou shalt murder babies" in JSH 6-11 that the former is more in line with the NT portrayal of God as all-loving? There are folks on CC who see no problem with the latter!

I can't come out of relaxation mode for anything serious right now, so I may watch, or not.

 

[Eli1]

that the former is more in line with the NT portrayal of God as all-loving?

Major when we get to some sort of agreement that the KOG is not the same as MAGA then maybe we can move to other points such as How do we call God? What attribute do we use?
I figure we will do this by 2035-2036.

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

I think Paul dealt with the reality that he also had a national citizenship plus was part of a culture with its national identity and leadership. Not being of the world while in the world leaves us with some dynamics we must contend with. They had to contend with worldly leaders and make decisions about what to obey at times - God or men - thus whether or not men were in line with God or not.

Also, the world has moved on from early times AD. The political theories now in place can be and are in many cases much different. Paul dealt with his times and we need to deal with ours. The bottom line principle stands - obey God rather than men - and the Romans 9 instructions re dealing with human government remains - but there are other governmental realities in place now.

Let's face reality, not knowing where you live, we all contend with human government every day. And, many, including me, think everything is ultimately spiritual. When I think about the things above I learn His guidance and wisdom on dealing with His creation, which includes the here and now being in the world but not of the world.

I agree, being a resident of any country, one can be affected by the way the government is run, but can still remain neutral as a resident and still consider themselves as belonging solely to our heavenly kingdom.

 

[maxwel]

Wow! It is refreshing to encounter someone who uses their God-given logical ability on CC.

Do you agree that if God says "Thou shalt not murder" in EX 20:13 and "Thou shalt murder babies" in JSH 6-11 that the former is more in line with the NT portrayal of God as all-loving? There are folks on CC who see no problem with the latter!

Although the judgment upon Jericho is harsh, I don't see any moral disparity between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament.

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[maxwel]

There's always spiritual maturity you can claim. But we'll be watching you like a hawk.

Well... I wouldn't want to make false claims.
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[studier]

I agree, being a resident of any country, one can be affected by the way the government is run, but can still remain neutral as a resident and still consider themselves as belonging solely to our heavenly kingdom.

Do you live by the laws of the country?

Do you have kids?

 

[studier]

Well... I wouldn't want to make false claims.
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An honest American Christian. So far so good.

 

[GWH]

Major when we get to some sort of agreement that the KOG is not the same as MAGA then maybe we can move to other points such as How do we call God? What attribute do we use?
I figure we will do this by 2035-2036.

My understanding is that we have 50% agreement regarding the KOG and MAGA:

We agree that they are not the same.

We disagree about whether Christians including the many who comprise MAGA should seek to answer the prayer of Jesus for the KOG to come on earth by serving as salt and light for the world (family, church, government, etc.).

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

Do you live by the laws of the country?

I don't "live by" laws, I obey them as expected of any traveller to a foreign country.

 

[GWH]

I don't "live by" laws, I obey them as expected of any traveller to a foreign country.

What about HOA by-laws? :^)

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

What about HOA by-laws? :^)

For those who choose to enter a contractual agreement, I would suggest not violating it; however, I am not indebted to such a contract.

 

[studier]

I don't "live by" laws, I obey them as expected of any traveller to a foreign country.

Semantics.

You obey the laws of the country you live in. All of them - even the ungodly ones?

Again, do you have children?

What country do you reside in? Do you have a national citizenship?

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

You obey the laws of the country you live in. All of them - even the ungodly ones?

The city in which I previously lived enacted a law that made it a punishable crime to give money or food to the homeless when they approach you for help... But there was/is no law that forbids proactively walking up to a homeless person and providing for them.

One neither breaks the law, nor allows it to violate their responsibility to minister to those in need if they choose this course of action.

 

[GWH]

The city in which I previously lived enacted a law that made it a punishable crime to give money or food to the homeless when they approach you for help... But there was/is no law that forbids proactively walking up to a homeless person and providing for them.

One neither breaks the law, nor allows it to violate their responsibility to minister to those in need if they choose this course of action.

What about trafficing laws? :^)

 

[maxwel]

An honest American Christian. So far so good.

Are you implying American Christians are largely dishonest?


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[studier]

The city in which I previously lived enacted a law that made it a punishable crime to give money or food to the homeless when they approach you for help... But there was/is no law that forbids proactively walking up to a homeless person and providing for them.

One neither breaks the law, nor allows it to violate their responsibility to minister to those in need if they choose this course of action.

Avoiding answering questions isn't conducive to honest discussion.

So, back to the beginning:

I agree, being a resident of any country, one can be affected by the way the government is run, but can still remain neutral as a resident and still consider themselves as belonging solely to our heavenly kingdom.

A resident or a citizen? I'm comfortable answering for you and saying you have a national citizenship somewhere in the world. We're not told we don't have such. We're told what the hierarchy is.

I'd also say neutrality is a myth. We aren't being neutral when we're choosing to decide according to the rule of our heavenly citizenship. This involves us in politics which is a big discussion with several definitions and categories to consider. In regard to your single example re: feeding homeless people, this article might be of interest for discussion Choosing not to participate in politics means ignoring those in need – The Current

Also, in regard to your example, one could argue by submitting to the city law, you potentially disobeyed the wording of your heavenly citizenship in favor of your worldly citizenship or temporary residency (Luke6:30). And, depending upon all the wording and intent of the law of that city, it would be interesting to know more about it because the proliferation of such laws was more specifically to not feed the homeless, which has been contested as people try to figure out what to do about the problem. Your perceived work around would be an offense in many jurisdictions and if pursued you'd find yourself being firmly made aware you are involved in politics.

 

[studier]

Are you implying American Christians are largely dishonest?


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Well, of course not. I'm simply compiling my understanding of your self-assertions.

I did enjoy once a teaching from the pulpit that contained the statement, 'you haven't been cheated until you've been cheated by a Christian!'

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

What about trafficing laws? :^)

It would be interesting to find a traffic law that that would lead someone to disobey God.

 

[Boughtwithaprice]

Avoiding answering questions isn't conducive to honest discussion.

So, back to the beginning:



A resident or a citizen? I'm comfortable answering for you and saying you have a national citizenship somewhere in the world. We're not told we don't have such. We're told what the hierarchy is.

I'd also say neutrality is a myth. We aren't being neutral when we're choosing to decide according to the rule of our heavenly citizenship. This involves us in politics which is a big discussion with several definitions and categories to consider. In regard to your single example re: feeding homeless people, this article might be of interest for discussion Choosing not to participate in politics means ignoring those in need – The Current

Also, in regard to your example, one could argue by submitting to the city law, you potentially disobeyed the wording of your heavenly citizenship in favor of your worldly citizenship or temporary residency (Luke6:30). And, depending upon all the wording and intent of the law of that city, it would be interesting to know more about it because the proliferation of such laws was more specifically to not feed the homeless, which has been contested as people try to figure out what to do about the problem. Your perceived work around would be an offense in many jurisdictions and if pursued you'd find yourself being firmly made aware you are involved in politics.

The topic is about politics and the word of God, not about my personal life.

You seem bent on trying to get me to say something personal... For what purpose, I don't know, but I find it less-than-appealing to be in such a conversation.

Please forgive me if I've offended you, because you seem somewhat agitated with me. I will gladly leave this conversation if I am in any way, not complying with your perspective.

 

[studier]

The topic is about politics and the word of God,

Yes, it was, And, about citizenships and how we Christians are all involved in both earthly politics and the Word of God by being in the world but not of the world. I don't agree that we're neutral here.