A Political Question
To all you "conservative" (politically) Mennonites out there, doesn't there seem to be a conflict with supporting so vigorously a group of people (conservative evangelicals) who are so set upon the use of force as Christians (albeit in a national setting and only "when necessary"), a teaching that - in my view and yours too, presumably - militates directly against the teachings of Christ?
posted by Byran @ 4:05 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
I'm confused about where I am politically . . . please, someone, discuss!
LD
On the other hand, By, how can I feel comfortable supporting a group of Liberal ("L" stands for "Loser") people who endorse abortion, which they refer to as "pro-choice" or "women's rights," endorse the homesexual lifestyle, and avidly work toward keeping God and Prayer out of the public arena, especially schools. These are only a few things that the Liberals do, not to mention their objectives that run totally perpendicular to the Constitution of the United States. But I digress.
Although I cannot go to war myself, Romans 13 speaks clearly of the role of the government in subduing the evildoer, even by means of the sword. That is not our mission, I could not do it myself as a born-again, Bible-believing Christian.
Btw, before you think its a preacher replying, I'm not a preacher. Just a 20-year-old College freshman on the East Coast. Keep up the blogs, I love them.
Vernon
"supporting so vigorously"...that seems to be a key pt. Are we as Christians to support any political system 'vigorously'? Yes, we definitely have a role in to play in this world's political systems but must we choose any one side to place our support/complete allegience behind? Seems to me that neither side is in line with what Christ teaches. Yes, pray-regardless of who's in power. Yes, obey-as long as it does not go against God's word. But beyond that??? Ok, so I don't know alot about politics...in my own country, let alone in yours but I've wondered already why we as Christians get so worked up about what's happening in the govn't? This isn't our real home. I've been challenged recently by the Chinese Christians view of their govn't. None of us would welcome Communism...ok, so it's a far cry from our govn't here but think about this... Brother Yun(Chinese church leader known as 'the heavenly man')responds this way to Western Christians who tell him they are praying communism will collapse:
"This is not what we pray! We never pray against our govn't or call down curses on it. Instead, we have learned that God is in control of both our own lives and the govn't we live under. Instead of focusing our prayers against any political system, we pray that regardless of what happens to us, we will be pleasing to God." Really, should our view be any different?
....just some of my tho'ts...cor.
I have thought about that before... why can't people be totally pro-life?...non-resistant and pro-life...but it also bothers me when Christians (those who are pacifists) insist that the governments live by Christian standards in not going to war(and we have to admit that conservatives do this as well, in other ways tho). But we need to realize that God did not command governments not to go to war...but he did command us as Christians not to...so I don't believe it is sin for a nation to go to war...I don't think a lot of pacifist get that. Yes, the results of war are awful and we need to do what we can to prevent it. But as a Christian I do believe it is wrong for me as an individual to go to war...because I would have to kill people who maybe are or have the potential of being saved. Anyways... -Marcel
V, please don't take my post as an endorsement of liberalism. The problem with labels is that they're constricting. When many Christians think "liberal" they think pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, etc. That's fair enough I suppose, but what I would hope that people get out of my political questions and comments is that just because something is labeled "liberal" or "conservative" does not mean it is automatically "wrong" or "right".
I've thought a lot about this and haven't been able to come to firm conclusions. But I am not afraid to raise issues where I think that liberals might have it more than conservatives, and while I do this I do not mean to endorse any of the sin that many liberals endorse.
Cor's thoughts sound a lot like what I've thought.
I think Cor pretty much hits the proverbial nail on the head. We pray for our government, wherever we are and whoever they are, for God's direction, for wisdom in making decisions, for safety from harm, and that they will look to God in all things, professional and private. This is precisely why we cannot, as children of God, take part in the voting process of our nation. Showing active support for a specific candidate in one area would prove for a contradictory lifestyle if we then refused to serve in the military.
But I think Marcel has the terminology mixed up a little bit. Pacifism allows for "peaceful resistance" to our government and its decisions. Non-resistance, on the other hand, is submission to the decisions of our government, and instead of resisting, we pray for them and obey as far as our consciences (guided by God) allow us. Make sense?
Vernon
Ya, I guess I did get the terminology mixed up a bit. I guess what I was trying to say is that I don't really think pacifism is a very Biblical position for Christians to take because it causes us to focus too much on government and what we think it may be doing wrong. -Marcel
So does all this mean that we pray and it stops at that? Is there any responsibility for more active and tangible involvement in protesting the evils in our world? We are prolife, we say. Do we get involved in supporting crisis pregnancy centers both with our money and our time? Do make ourselves available for ministering to all the troubled children that clog our children's services departments? Is there any way to be involved in bringing hope to the battered women in our communities? Do we even know any homosexuals to whom we can minister the love of Christ? Are we involved in our world in any significant way? If not, should we be? There are so many ways to influence our world besides political involvement and perhaps prayer implies something more than passive.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Good thoughts anon. Prayer is a awesome gift...and we need to have faith that our prayers will be answered...but we need to go on and do what's right and minister to people. There are so many ways to influence people for Christ and for what's right...and out of changed people comes a changed community..and out of changed communities comes a changed nation. But we need to do it not just talk about doing it. -Marcel
There've been some great thoughts... one thing that has bothered me for years comes up in Vernon's first post: "Although I cannot go to war myself, Romans 13 speaks clearly of the role of the government in subduing the evildoer, even by means of the sword. That is not our mission, I could not do it myself as a born-again, Bible-believing Christian."
I don't feel that I can go to war, either, but how can I say that it is the government's responsibility--I want someone to do it--but I think it's wrong. If it's wrong, it's wrong, and I don't want anyone to sin. Or... if it is indeed a matter of position, and it's right for gov. and wrong for civilians, then who do I want to be in government? That fine line of people who are solid, Bible-based, God fearing--but who feel that it's okay to be among the "sword-bearing"? If it wouldn't be right for us to take government positions, wherein the "sword" is biblically mandated, then how can we encourage any individual to go into office? "I can't do it; God forbids it; but I sure hope some good guy does it or else...."
It just looks like a contradiction, and I've not quite been able to reconcile them in my mind...
Lori
This is indeed a good question. Herein is also the reason that we must not enter into the political processes of our nation, wherever we are. In a perfect world (nation, state, society), everyone would be God-fearing, Bible-believing Christians, and there would be no evildoers to be punished within that system. And God has his ways of protecting His children from the evildoers..., but there is no such group of people (at least not that I know of), and thus we have the necessity for government.You see, God has ordained (put in place) governments to reward the good, punish the evildoers, and maintain law and order in general.
We need to remember, then, that the government is ordained to maintain law and order in this world, while we are searching for a better life and are not to encumber ourselves with the cares of this life. Therefore, we cannot permit ourselves to become caught up in the governmental processes of our nation, whether by holding public office or by voting. We must withhold our support from all political entities. To engage ourselves in the voting process for President, for example, would be taking part in the decision-making process for the next Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. military. Thus, we would be taking it upon ourselves to determine who would be in charge of taking care of the evildoers via war, corporal punishment, etc.
This is why we must choose prayer for our leaders and for our nation. I cannot condemn the government for their actions in going to war, punishing evildoers, etc. But neither can I actively support the government in their actions. My support for them comes in my prayers for them, acknowledging that they are here to enforce the laws that have been set in place over the nation.
A lot of people who believe in the liberal standpoint seem to be very misguided about life, about God and even freedoms of our country. They seem to want to limit our freedoms as Christians(i.e.prayer in school, etc.) and individuals whose desire is to do good and love those around, and at the same time promote the freedom of an individual who desires to do evil (i.e.kill an unborn baby,etc.) For me personally, I cherish my freedoms, and get thoroughly disgusted at the liberal agenda that seems determined to choke those freedoms right out of our nation. I believe that war is wrong, and I personally could never kill anybody, but as the Bible does say (I don't say it God's Word does) God puts government in position for the punishment of evildoers. Even though, there is some conservative misguidance especially concerning the issues on war, the heart of the conservative agenda is good and desires to promote freedom. I see the opposite expressed at the heart of the liberal agenda.
I don't consider myself politically minded, (as I don't see how you can maintain a non resistant view point and stay politically minded). However, if I have to sway toward one side or the other I'd choose the conservative view point, hands down.
I have enjoyed reading the comments in regards to government and our role as Christians. I am so encouraged by the belief in the importance of prayer and reaching out to those in need. If anything will change our nation, this will.
Karen
Post a Comment
<< Home