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Christians in politics

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by JonC, Feb 24, 2021.

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  1. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    There have been some interesting posts about the advantages and disadvantages of Christians involving themselves in politics. Maybe we could start at the very basics.

    For those who believe Christians have a responsibility to be involved in politics, to what end?
     
    #1 JonC, Feb 24, 2021
  2. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    To be light and salt into an environment that needs such!
     
    #2 Yeshua1, Feb 24, 2021
  3. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    How is a Christian's involvement in politics any different from others of the same party? How is it "salt and light"?
     
    #3 JonC, Feb 24, 2021
  4. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    We are saved, while many of them would be lost and still in darkness!
     
    #4 Yeshua1, Feb 24, 2021
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    But that is true regardless of our involvement in politics.

    How is joining in politics "salt and light"? How does our joining in the politics of this world distinguish us from the World?

    It seems to me that politics pretty much removes any "saltiness" in the believer and casts a shadow over whatever light may exist.
     
    #5 JonC, Feb 24, 2021
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  6. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Would it not be better to be govern by those whose mind set is led by the Holy Spirit and guided by Biblical principles!
     
    #6 Yeshua1, Feb 25, 2021
  7. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    What business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? But God judges outsiders. (1 Co 5:12–13).
     
    #7 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
  8. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Did God honor and bless leadership faithful to Him and His ways?
     
    #8 Yeshua1, Feb 25, 2021
  9. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    No. God did say if a people (a nation) repents and turns to Him then He will bless them. But that is not the same as God blessing leaders because they are Christians, perhaps especially when their goals are faithless (like making the enemy of God appear godly).
     
    #9 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
  10. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    God seemed to bless israel when they had a King after His own herat, and punished them with one who was bad!
     
    #10 Yeshua1, Feb 25, 2021
  11. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    God did bless Israel when they were faithful, and He cursed them when they were not. And branches were cut off, other's grafted in. And God will continue to bless the faithfulness of His people.

    But that is not what you are talking about. You are talking about Christians abandoning the work of the Kingdom to try and make the world a more moral enemy of God.
     
    #11 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
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  12. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    @Yeshua1 ,

    This is why I was wondering "to what end". What is the purpose in joining the powers of the World? Early Christians refused to do so, and their impact on the world was astounding. So what is the reason you would surrender your voice to those powers?
     
    #12 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
  13. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    not the Church, but individual Christians being faithful to wherever God has placed them in to influence, schools, workplace, and in areas such as acting, music, etc!
     
    #13 Yeshua1, Feb 25, 2021
  14. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    We are to be in the World, but not to be of the world, and tobring godly influences and standards into darkness!
     
    #14 Yeshua1, Feb 25, 2021
  15. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I am not speaking of talents or vocation. I am saying that I believe talents and vocations are to be used for the Kingdom of God, not to try and get the World to act like the church.
     
    #15 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
  16. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Why do you think so many Christians trade being in but not if the world to enter politics (to become a part of the powers and principles we were warned to avoid)?
     
    #16 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
  17. just-want-peace

    just-want-peace Well-Known Member
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    Our gov’t is one designed specifically for INDIVIDUAL participation. I’m not a history buff, but I do not know of any, ANY past gov’t entity in the world that espouses such citizen participation.

    As a CHRISTIAN, one should see this fact as an opportunity to be that “salt & light” that we are supposed to be. To totally reject “ANY” involvement (even voting as some proclaim) is refusing to be salt and/or letting your light shine.

    Is it against Christian ethics to:

    1) Be a part of a demonstration against abortion?

    2) Vote for a “right to life” candidate

    3) Own a business that has to follow political laws

    4) Be a mid-level manager in a Christless corp.

    5) Be any type of military/security/law enforcement agent????????????

    Politics is no different – except you are now on the LAW MAKING end rather than the “obeying end!

    No other gov’t gives this opportunity to its citizens (though it does seem to be diminishing right before our eyes), so a Christian, IMHO, is obligated to do his part to keep the laws as close to God’s standards as possible -- IF that is the role God has chosen for that person.

    I am too much of an introvert to be in politics, but I can voice my beliefs hoping they will help somebody somehow, and I can VOTE!

    Just being a Christian can be enough for others to sense the difference in you and themselves much of the time, and that just may be all that is needed for a person to at least consider their future decisions in light of your influence.

    So should a Christian be involved in politics? A great big resounding YES, even if it is nothing but voting, but if led by God, get into politics without apology!

    (One Christian rep in the SC house led a successful fight to pass the “Heartbeat bill” that was immediately stopped by a liberal judge, but this fight has only just begun.)


    This is an area of service that needs godly leadership that is extremely rare today, but just remember Daniel – relocated to Babylon in his mid-teens, stayed true to God, & became an exceptional GODLY influence in three(?) regimes over some 70 years, & if this ain’t politics, I don’t know what is!!!


    Listen to God, not man when deciding your next move.
     
    #17 just-want-peace, Feb 25, 2021
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  18. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Why do you think our government is designed for individual participation? It seems like it is designed for party participation.
     
    #18 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
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  19. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I guess what I am wondering is exactly how a Christian can be salt and light if they look just like non-Christians who share the same moral values and political ideologies?

    Is there really a discernable difference between someone like Ben Shapiro or Michael Savage and Christians when their faith is ultimately in political ideologies to change the world?
     
    #19 JonC, Feb 25, 2021
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  20. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    We are to bring into the world the light and witness of Lord Jesus, and that includes all of those areas referenced!
     
    #20 Yeshua1, Feb 26, 2021
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