|
|
Christian Indie Radio
GetChristianMusic
Solid Walnut Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devotionals
|
|
Cartoons
Culture
Family
Games
Health
Homeschooling
Humor
Inspiration
Kids
Men
Ministry
Parenting
Poetry
Teens
Women
|
|
Statement of Faith
Contact Us
|
|
|
|
Culture Watch:Jesus the Politician
by Lee Warren (Lee's bio)
Send this page to a friend
In recent years, several Christian leaders have implored us to stop focusing so much energy on politics and focus more on making disciples—as if the two don't go hand in hand.
In a recent column, Cal Thomas writes: "The Christian church was intended to be, not a hierarchy, but a 'lowerarchy.' As Jesus instructed His disciples when sending them out to share His redemptive message: 'Do not take any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep' (Matthew 10:9-10). The emphasis was on making disciples, not persuading Caesar about their point of view."
Beyond the fact that these are odd verses to use as scripture proofs for Thomas' argument for "lowerarchy," his claim that the church was not intended to emphasize the persuasion of Caesar is in contrast to who Jesus is as the King of kings. As the King of kings, he is not only a politician, but also the King of all politicians.
The Apostle Paul said this about Jesus in Colossians 1:16, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."
Jesus is, was, and always will be interested in governments and they way they are ran. Government was created for him and by him. I shudder to think about our political system in light of that fact. Every time an unbiblical law is passed, every time a shady deal is cut, every time a politician lies, they are all done while under Christ's authority.
Consider King David's words in 2 Samuel 23:3, "He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.'" If rulers "must be just," are we to believe that David would conclude that it is wrong to try to influence Caesar?
When John the Baptist told King Herod that, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife" in Mark 6:18, are we to believe that John shouldn't have confronted Herod?
When Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his "Confessing Church" resisted Adolph Hitler, should they have remained as silent as the state sanctioned church while millions of Jews were slaughtered?
In light of their actions, would King David, John the Baptist or Dietrich Bonhoeffer conclude that it was a waste of time or maybe even unbiblical to try to influence Caesar? I'll let their actions (and subsequent consequences) speak for themselves.
Thomas and other Christian leaders apparently believe that the gospel ends with John 3:16, when in reality, it begins there and it ends with everything under the feet of King Jesus—including politics. The gospel is comprehensive, affecting area of life. If that isn't true, then we are free to live as we choose except when it comes to evangelism.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus has all authority on heaven and earth—including political authority—and he said to teach the nations all things that he commanded. Certainly, his teaching goes beyond John 3:16. If Jesus is the Word (John1:1), and he is, and if that Word tells us that government was made by him and for him, and it does, how then can the American Church help to disciple the nations properly if we don't even believe that we should be influencing Caesar in our own country, not to mention other countries?
Copyright 2002, Lee Warren. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
|
About Lee Warren: Lee Warren is a freelance writer from Omaha, Nebraska. He has written for various publications and is currently working on a novel. If you are interested in reading more of his work or in receiving his column via e-mail, please go to his website: www.leewarrenjr.com or drop him an e-mail: LeeWJunior@cox.net.
|
Send this page to a friend: