| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"James" |
| Date: |
25 Feb 2007 12:35:06 PM |
| Object: |
Re: Christian Government |
Sydney Harbour Bridge <Your@email.com>
Re: Christian Government
Above all, Jesus requires governments to give tax cuts to the folks rich
enough to tithe.
In Christ's name we pay.
Hello,
Was there ever really a true 'Christian Government'? There wasn't in
Jesus' day, nor should there be one today. Jesus made it clear that he
and his followers were not part of this world, which includes its
politics etc. Joh 17:14,
"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they
are not of the world any more than I am of the world." (NIV)
Of course some will claim that politics was not part of what Jesus
meant at John 17:14. So how did the early Christians, those closest to
the writing of Jesus words, interpret those words?
First, Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, rejected all
political power. John 6:15,
"Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force,
withdrew again to a mountain by himself." (NIV)
Jesus plainly told Pilate at John 18:36,
"Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were
of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be
delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this
realm."" (NASB)
Since Jesus' kingdom (government) is not of this world, neither would
his servants be a governing part of this world's politics.
Did the early Christians involve themselves in politics?
Professor Robert L.Wilken in "The Christians as the Romans Saw Them"
wrote, "Christians not only refused [Roman] military service but they
would not accept public office nor assume any responsibility for the
governing of the cities".
Philip Schaff in "History of the Christian Church" wrote, "The
conscientious refusal of the Christians to pay divine honors to the
emperor and his statue, and to take part in any idolatrous ceremonies
at public festivities, their aversion to the imperial military
service, their disregard for politics and depreciation of all civil
and temporal affairs as compared with the spiritual and eternal
interests of man, their close brotherly union and frequent meetings,
drew upon them the suspicion of hostility to the Caesars and the Roman
people."
Heckel and Sigman in "-On the Road to Civilization, A World History"
wrote, "Early Christianity was little understood and was regarded with
little favor by those who ruled the pagan world. . . .Christians
refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would
not hold political office."
Thus genuine Christians do not hold political offices in governing
institutions.
Sincerely, James
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