LittleDrummerBoy
Senior Member
Making disciples of our nation does not exclude discipling the government, but it strikes me that the balance and emphasis of most American Christians toward our government doesn't align very well with the Great Commission which tells us (in the process of discipling whatever nation to which we are sent) to teach "them to obey everything I (Christ) have commanded you."
Most Biblical examples of people of faith teaching their governments and leaders are constrained to fundamental issues of righteousness rather than having a role in every policy decision or even picking the winners in every transition of power.
Of all the political issues in ancient Egypt, God had Moses focus on one: Egypt's oppression of God's people. "Let my people go."
Of all the domestic and foreign policy issues in Israel in the time of Ahab, God had Elijah focus on just two things in his interactions with the king: 1) The worship of idols 2) The shedding of innocent blood.
The prophet Elisha didn't even want to talk to Ahab's son Joram (king of Israel), telling him to go to the prophets of his father and the prophets of his mother. He said he wouldn't even speak to him or notice him if not for the presence of Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah. So much for "always respect the office." Elisha did seek the word of Yahweh and advise Jehoshaphat about a battle (at king Jehoshaphat's request.)
John the Baptist's advice to soldiers was simple and direct about righteousness in doing their jobs. He had no policy teaching or advice for King Herod, only a rebuke for sexual immorality having taken his brother's wife as his own. Did any Christian with opportunity dare to tell our own president about his adulterous wife, "It is not lawful for you to have her?" Perhaps not, since it cost John his head, and such a focus on righteous might close doors to opportunities for policy discussions.
After Herod killed John, Jesus would not even speak to him. Just as Joram was unworthy of Elisha's attention, Herod was unworthy of hearing directly from Jesus. It was a pearls to pigs situation, and Jesus was setting an example for us. Jesus did testify to Pilate about who he was.
Paul spoke before a number of public officials. The central issue was always who Jesus is. No
rabbit trails into Roman policy matters. When the straight testimony of Jesus produced no result, he used his time to discourse on "righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come."
We would do well to follow the example of Scripture and disciple our government in the most fundamental issues of righteousness rather than all of our pet policy preferences.
Most Biblical examples of people of faith teaching their governments and leaders are constrained to fundamental issues of righteousness rather than having a role in every policy decision or even picking the winners in every transition of power.
Of all the political issues in ancient Egypt, God had Moses focus on one: Egypt's oppression of God's people. "Let my people go."
Of all the domestic and foreign policy issues in Israel in the time of Ahab, God had Elijah focus on just two things in his interactions with the king: 1) The worship of idols 2) The shedding of innocent blood.
The prophet Elisha didn't even want to talk to Ahab's son Joram (king of Israel), telling him to go to the prophets of his father and the prophets of his mother. He said he wouldn't even speak to him or notice him if not for the presence of Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah. So much for "always respect the office." Elisha did seek the word of Yahweh and advise Jehoshaphat about a battle (at king Jehoshaphat's request.)
John the Baptist's advice to soldiers was simple and direct about righteousness in doing their jobs. He had no policy teaching or advice for King Herod, only a rebuke for sexual immorality having taken his brother's wife as his own. Did any Christian with opportunity dare to tell our own president about his adulterous wife, "It is not lawful for you to have her?" Perhaps not, since it cost John his head, and such a focus on righteous might close doors to opportunities for policy discussions.
After Herod killed John, Jesus would not even speak to him. Just as Joram was unworthy of Elisha's attention, Herod was unworthy of hearing directly from Jesus. It was a pearls to pigs situation, and Jesus was setting an example for us. Jesus did testify to Pilate about who he was.
Paul spoke before a number of public officials. The central issue was always who Jesus is. No
rabbit trails into Roman policy matters. When the straight testimony of Jesus produced no result, he used his time to discourse on "righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come."
We would do well to follow the example of Scripture and disciple our government in the most fundamental issues of righteousness rather than all of our pet policy preferences.
