Applying God's Word to Politics

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Jan 17, 2023
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That's why you cannot understand. You believe the Kingdom is not here yet.

In truth, it is here now. It is within those in Christ. The KoG is not like a terrestrial kingdom. It is a way of life within the Holy Spirit (“righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”).

So, practically, we have dual citizenship. And only one of nations will exist eternally. The other will succumb to the rule of the Antichrist. In which one should we put our resources and treasure?
The KOG you're discussing here is future. Yes, God is within us, but we are still on physically living in the KofG, we're living in a fallen world.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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God instituted the family in GN 3:24 (cf. 5:1-2).
Mention of the institution of city is made in GN 4:17 (cf. 11:4).
Mention is made of religious institution in GN 4:26.
The law against murder was instituted in GN 9:6.
Slavery was instituted per GN 9:25.
Nations were instituted in GN 10 (following the dispersion and institution of languages in GN 11:8).
God's covenant with Abram and his nation and indeed all nations was instituted in GN 12:2-3.
So you think covenants and institutions are the same?

What God established in covenant, man makes into an institution. Man tries to continue the covenant in his own strength, the institution, then, becomes subject to the world.

Like marriage. The covenant of marriage never included man betrothed to man. But the institution permits it, even celebrates it. God does not recognize the man and man as “one flesh” but the institution, by law, does.

One can examine all US institutions in this light and easily see the chasm between the KoG and terrestrial rule: family, business, church, commerce, education, arts, religion, etc. We are not called to refine the institutions, we are light and salt to the people entrapped by them: teaching them how to function within them but to not be of them.

A believer cannot honestly function as a head of any institution in the US because they must swear to uphold the will of the people. A believer is led by the Spirit of God.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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The KOG you're discussing here is future. Yes, God is within us, but we are still on physically living in the KofG, we're living in a fallen world.
The kingdom of God is…”, wait for it, this is a direct quote from the scriptures, scriptures I hope we both agree are inspired by the Holy Spirit, “…righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

The Kingdom of God is a way of life available now to all believers.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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Thanks, but is that designed to discredit the Phlp 2:2 strong spirit of His words? (v-35,26)

Why not just clarify the juxtaposition? What was your point based upon your interpretation and use of those Scriptures? FWIW, it seemed to me that all @GWH said is that it was interesting and many interpretations could result. I agreed with that. Would you clarify your point?
 
Jan 17, 2023
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The kingdom of God is…”, wait for it, this is a direct quote from the scriptures, scriptures I hope we both agree are inspired by the Holy Spirit, “…righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

The Kingdom of God is a way of life available now to all believers.
That is not what is being discussed here. We're living in a fallen world. The KOG you keep talking about is the future.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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@Aaron56 did you and do you disagree with this definition? If yes, then why?
That’s a definition of marriage derived from “wisdom from below”.

But answer then this: who was Jesus’ mother?

And then ”bread”: is it something for our stomachs or the word of God?

And then ”truth”: is it a provable concept or Jesus Christ?
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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Matthew 13:31-32.
The kingdom of God is like the mustard seed. It starts very small, but grows to be the largest of plants. So, too, did the kingdom of God start very small, but continues to grow, and will continue until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ. This is the point of history from the cross onward.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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That’s a definition of marriage derived from “wisdom from below”.
To institute something basically means to establish something. An institution can thus be something instituted. The list @GWH provided gave some basis for institutions that were established/instituted by God. Marriage would be one of those institutions instituted by God (a Divine Institution). Which is why Christians argue for protecting the institution of marriage - and argue politically BTW.

Practical English language describing things in our Text. Hardly wisdom from below.

You're arguing semantics and much of what you said re: institutions I countered to say you're wrong, which you are.
 
Nov 28, 2024
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Oct 19, 2024
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So you think covenants and institutions are the same?

What God established in covenant, man makes into an institution. Man tries to continue the covenant in his own strength, the institution, then, becomes subject to the world.

Like marriage. The covenant of marriage never included man betrothed to man. But the institution permits it, even celebrates it. God does not recognize the man and man as “one flesh” but the institution, by law, does.

One can examine all US institutions in this light and easily see the chasm between the KoG and terrestrial rule: family, business, church, commerce, education, arts, religion, etc. We are not called to refine the institutions, we are light and salt to the people entrapped by them: teaching them how to function within them but to not be of them.

A believer cannot honestly function as a head of any institution in the US because they must swear to uphold the will of the people. A believer is led by the Spirit of God.
Yes, the meanings of the noun institution is that which is instituted, and the meaning of the verb institute is very broad, as below:

verb institute:
  1. 1. set in motion or establish (something, especially a program, system, or inquiry), e.g., "the award was instituted in 1900".

    Similar: set in motion, put in motion, get under way, get going, get off the ground, get in operation, start, begin, initiate, launch, lay the foundations of, lay the first stone of, sow the seeds of, set up, inaugurate, found, establish, put in place, organize, get working, get functioning, activate, generate, cause, bring about, start/get/set the ball rolling, kick off, commence

 
Oct 19, 2024
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Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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+ Rev11:15, correct?
Yes. I've found that people tend to see things in black and white. In other words, if the Bible speaks of something, unless what is being spoken of is fully consummated, it has yet to occur. In reality, many things occurred as a result of the cross, have begun to be implemented more fully, and will be fully consummated over time.