Applying God's Word to Politics

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 17, 2023
5,250
2,284
113
Right. But which one does God recognize and how are we to live in it now? That’s what we’re discussing.

Yes, and as I said, we're not living IN the KOG. We have to get up, go to work, pay taxes, vote, we are still living in this fallen world.
 

studier

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2024
1,639
371
83
So you think covenants and institutions are the same?
I don't. But a covenant is instituted and can be referred to in language such as "The Institution of the New Covenant". Also, as far as I think we're concerned as Christians, didn't God institute covenants?

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.
God established Divine Institutions which men attempt to modify.

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.
The Divine Institution of marriage between the man and the woman was established in the beginning by God. So, Christians have fought to protect the Divine Institution of Marriage as God instituted it and have fought politically to protect it.

You're describing the altered institution of man and included is the contractual/covenantal agreement for the institution of man.

Men are copying God in forming institutions and covenants. This can't make an institution an Institution (note the capitalization and keep it in mind - my intended meaning is Divine Institution).

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.
We can apply your light and eisegete your point or we can see how your light is not Light and find you wrong.

I assume you're speaking of the KOG vs. terrestrial rule in the sense of godly vs. ungodly or Christian vs. non-Christian. Is all non-Christian art ungodly? Same question for business, commerce, education. Every non-Christian institution entraps people who work in them or makes them function in ungodly ways?

Question: Do you hold citizenship in the US? If yes, do you vote?

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.
Which again reveals you know very little about institutions and Christians who both work in many and head many of them which have been instituted to do godly work.
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
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?
Sure, for I don't think the Apostle was having another one of his episodes in folly, but indeed inviting us to be stewards of divine mysteries. I appreciate the adapted term and agree too, but that also is something we are to be stewards of.
 
Oct 19, 2024
2,493
612
113
Sure, for I don't think the Apostle was having another one of his episodes in folly, but indeed inviting us to be stewards of divine mysteries.
Well, I was pondering whether vetting immigrants crossing ''the boundaries of their habitation'' (Acts 17:26) contradicted Jesus saying "I was a stranger, and you took Me in.'' (Mt 25:35)

I think not. I think it is wise to vet strangers you are considering taking in.
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
Well, I was pondering whether vetting immigrants crossing ''the boundaries of their habitation'' (Acts 17:26) contradicted Jesus saying "I was a stranger, and you took Me in.'' (Mt 25:35)

I think not. I think it is wise to vet strangers you are considering taking in.
My only exception to that would be a simple questioning of the fuller process, is it possible to grant citizenship to the least of these, my brethren?
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
5,454
2,406
113
47
Well, I was pondering whether vetting immigrants crossing ''the boundaries of their habitation'' (Acts 17:26) contradicted Jesus saying "I was a stranger, and you took Me in.'' (Mt 25:35)

I think not. I think it is wise to vet strangers you are considering taking in.
Sailor, you're the best at this unawareness syndrome. :D
As i explained to our friend Studier a few pages ago, if we even try to come close to what Jesus taught and try to establish some sort of government or nation based on His teachings and the life that He lived, we need to have open borders and show our other cheek to the enemy. This is the equivalent of communism especially in American culture!
The reason we don't do this, or we can't do this, is because we are not gods to bend the laws of the universe and feed 9 billion people with a loaf of bread and a fish.
So, it's a matter of resources too while we live in this sinful state in this fallen world.
This is why, again, we don't mix politics with God but have it your way. Burger King. :LOL:

🍻
 
Oct 19, 2024
2,493
612
113
Sailor, you're the best at this unawareness syndrome. :D
As i explained to our friend Studier a few pages ago, if we even try to come close to what Jesus taught and try to establish some sort of government or nation based on His teachings and the life that He lived, we need to have open borders and show our other cheek to the enemy. This is the equivalent of communism especially in American culture!
The reason we don't do this, or we can't do this, is because we are not gods to bend the laws of the universe and feed 9 billion people with a loaf of bread and a fish.
So, it's a matter of resources too while we live in this sinful state in this fallen world.
This is why, again, we don't mix politics with God but have it your way. Burger King. :LOL:

🍻
You were correct to say that resources affect discerning what is right. We cannot multiply them miraculously.

I also have in mind whether the person needs help through no fault of their own. We see an example of this playing out in California, where Trump is demanding that citizens begin directing water from the north to fill reservoirs in the south for resources to put out fires before he thinks they will deserve federal aid.
 

studier

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2024
1,639
371
83
Well, I was pondering whether vetting immigrants crossing ''the boundaries of their habitation'' (Acts 17:26) contradicted Jesus saying "I was a stranger, and you took Me in.'' (Mt 25:35)

I think not. I think it is wise to vet strangers you are considering taking in.

I was pondering why Matt25 is being considered as speaking about borders and immigrants for a few reasons one of which is it would be saying how we treat all immigrants determines if we go into His Kingdom or not. Another reason would be whether or not all immigrants are Christ's brothers.
 
Oct 19, 2024
2,493
612
113
The Kingdom is within you. So you carry His grace wherever you go. If you can believe it.
We are living BOTH in the KOG AND in this fallen world, and just as putting on "the new self" (EPH 4:24) or living as "children of light" (EPH 5:8) is a process involving spiritual growth as we learn God's Word (EPH 4:11-15), so also salting and enlightening fallen society (MT 5:13-16) is a life-long process, but just because "our citizenship is in heaven" and perfection will not be attained on earth does not mean that it should not be our goal (PHP 3:12-20).
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
I was pondering why Matt25 is being considered as speaking about borders and immigrants for a few reasons one of which is it would be saying how we treat all immigrants determines if we go into His Kingdom or not. Another reason would be whether or not all immigrants are Christ's brothers.
True, I did exercise a certain license with Matt25, still, I find the precept fits
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
Sailor, you're the best at this unawareness syndrome. :D
As i explained to our friend Studier a few pages ago, if we even try to come close to what Jesus taught and try to establish some sort of government or nation based on His teachings and the life that He lived, we need to have open borders and show our other cheek to the enemy. This is the equivalent of communism especially in American culture!
The reason we don't do this, or we can't do this, is because we are not gods to bend the laws of the universe and feed 9 billion people with a loaf of bread and a fish.
So, it's a matter of resources too while we live in this sinful state in this fallen world.
This is why, again, we don't mix politics with God but have it your way. Burger King. :LOL:

🍻
You would hold the SC Justice in error then?

One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying at its foundations. - Joseph Story, SC Justice, Congressman, Father of American jurisprudence.
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government. Noah Webster 1843

Would any other founder quotes contribute to this thread's cause?
 
Apr 18, 2013
9,707
2,769
113
[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government. Noah Webster 1843
Civil Liberty = Christianity?

The quote above equates civil liberty with Christianity.
It says civil liberty EQUALS Christianity.

Provably Untrue:
This is provably untrue.
You can have civil liberty and not even be saved... so civil liberty does not equal Christianity.

Webster & Error:
Noah Webster did a lot of great things, and I appreciate him.
But no amount of appreciation can turn theological errors into facts.
Webster's quote above is lovely, and speaks highly of civil liberty - but it's conclusion is just a very obvious error in theology, mistaking virtues for Christianity.

.
 
Sep 20, 2018
260
92
28
Civil Liberty = Christianity?

The quote above equates civil liberty with Christianity.
It says civil liberty EQUALS Christianity.

Provably Untrue:
This is provably untrue.
You can have civil liberty and not even be saved... so civil liberty does not equal Christianity.

Webster & Error:
Noah Webster did a lot of great things, and I appreciate him.
But no amount of appreciation can turn theological errors into facts.
Webster's quote above is lovely, and speaks highly of civil liberty - but it's conclusion is just a very obvious error in theology, mistaking virtues for Christianity.

.
Isn't that just like every one of us in this godless indoctrination that has been forced upon us and our fathers? The quote was no comparison at all, but the resulting blessing of Christianity. We have fallen so far from the consciences of our founders and conditioned to accept a pluralistic preference rather than to esteem the Savior that it just is no laughing matter. And that esteem was COMMONPLACE. Who would attest to that level of esteem better than the U.S. Congress of their day,

''FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of; And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence, but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defence and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a Measure to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops and to crown our Arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, , [that] they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour, and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD, through the Merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, , for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom which consisteth “in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.'' - The Continental Congress, November 1, 1777 for a day of thanksgiving
 
Oct 19, 2024
2,493
612
113
Isn't that just like every one of us in this godless indoctrination that has been forced upon us and our fathers? The quote was no comparison at all, but the resulting blessing of Christianity. We have fallen so far from the consciences of our founders and conditioned to accept a pluralistic preference rather than to esteem the Savior that it just is no laughing matter. And that esteem was COMMONPLACE. Who would attest to that level of esteem better than the U.S. Congress of their day,

''FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of; And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence, but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defence and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a Measure to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops and to crown our Arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, , [that] they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour, and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD, through the Merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, , for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom which consisteth “in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.'' - The Continental Congress, November 1, 1777 for a day of thanksgiving
Thanks! That quote is a good example of our founders and members of the KOG applying GW to politics.

With the MAGA (Make America Godly Again) movement now ascendant we can pray that many more years of God's will being done on earth in our souls and in our society will pass before the fire falls at the end (2PT 3:7).
 

studier

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2024
1,639
371
83
True, I did exercise a certain license with Matt25, still, I find the precept fits

Not a good practice, but thanks for the admission.

Matt25 is used by liberal theologians to make a case for open borders.
 
Oct 19, 2024
2,493
612
113
I haven't read this before, but I guess it was only a matter of time.
A matter of time before folks voted to end the demonization of America, TBTG!

(A contemporary example of members of the KOG applying GW to politics :^)