The Social Gospel?

I am not sure you know what I believe here (I'm not sure that I have explained my own view).

But here is the common source of disagreement. Christians can read and agree on Scripture insofar as "what is written". The disagreement is most often in what people believe God intended.

 

Yes, I no longer vote. This is true.

But this is not standing back and doing nothing (unless we believe God is inept). As a Christian I believe we should stand in Christ, with the full armor of God. We should reach out to those suffering, to the poor and sick, to those in prison, to those wrestling with sin.


The difference is not standing back (I never said stand back). The difference is our stand.

Often we hear Chriatians joining the "powers of darkness" because they believe it is acceptable to be a part of a "lesser evil" in order to combat a "greater evil".

But Scripture doesn't say "lesser" or "greater" powers of darkness. Scripture tells us to stand, to resist these powers. Not choose which to support. In the end they are the same.

IMHO only a Christians of very little faith participate in politics. But I also recognize a failure of churches here as well.

 

An insult....maybe....but not to faithful Christians.

I don't mean "saved" Christians (salvation isn't necessarily the issue here).

I mean Christians who are obedient to God's Word and willing to put on the "armor of God" and stand rather than support a worldly power of darkness in order to defeat a greater evil.

 

Sentence is wrong. The Chriatian life is a stand for Christ and an unashamed proclamation of God's Word come what may. It is walking with God rather than walking fir the World.

Do you believe that Christians exist to solve the World's social problems?

I ask because this may be a difference in how we see things. I believe that the World (these principalities and powers of darkness) are at odds with God.

The passage you present proves my point. It was to a people of God, not to the World.

 

Not necessarily very little as a blanket statement but very little in terms of divine sovereignty. Not enough to obey Scripture and let God take care of the World.


It does go back to faith. God instructs us on what to do. But we think that is not enough, thar we must involve ourselves in these powers God warns us to resist.

The only reason I can think of is a lack of faith. We see the World which is hostile to God, but instead of standing in Christ knowing the World will be hostile to God we instead decide to become a part of these powers to make the World friendly to God.

 

Could be. That is always a risk with written discussion.

The sentence was : The Christian life itself is a stand against ________.

Many things could, Biblically, fill the blank.

It is a stand against allowing the World into our congregations.

It is a stand against allowing the World into our lives.

It is a stand against putting our hands to the plow and looking back.

It is a stand against compromise.

BUT mostly, it is a stand for Christ.

I agree that we are not charged with solving the World's social problem.

The meaning of us being "the salt of the earth" is that we are set aside as a holy people, a people that embodies Christ.

This means we do not compromise, do not become a part of the world's system (do not loose our flavor).

I actually agree with the early church here. We do vote. We do hold office. We do these things within the church, but not the World. When we become the World to reach the World we are salt that have lost its flavor.

It may. Like I said, it is easy to miscommunicate on these forums.

My point was that the passage you offered was how God's people are to act within the group composed of God's people - not the World outside of that context.

What was your point of the passage?

 

Several. Colossians 1 speaks of these worldly powers as what God has delivered us from. In Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to resist the schemes of Satan. Our struggle is against the powers, against the rulers, against the world forces of this darkness. These are spiritual forces we are to resist. But this resistance is standing form in His Word (not compromising with these forces, not joining these forces)

Jesus tells us that the World is at odds with God, and no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God

 

You are incorrect on one major point.

To vote is to support. Voting for a lesser evil is supporting that lesser evil. The intention is to prevent a greater evil.


God does use men to accomplish His plans....even evil men. But God never blesses men who supports evil, whether the greater or lesser evil.

God used early church persecutions to strengthen and spread Christianity. That doesn't mean God desired Christians to support those persecutions.

 

@Silverhair and @kyredneck ,

I do need to point out that I am telling you why I do not vote.

Christians need to pray and follow their own conscious. I'm not telling other people to vote, or not to vote. Or, if they vote who to support.

I just want Christians to accept accountability for their support or abstaining from supporting any candidate because we are responsible for our actions.

 

No, you are confused here and unfortunately have resorted to sin. Each Christian needs to pray and follow their conscious. That is why I refuse to tell other Christians to abstain from voting (here I am explaining why I abstain). I desire to avoid the sin you have committed.

The reason you make an error is the philosophy you choose (utility, or utility of outcome). This is a practical but unbiblical philosophy.

Those who follow their conscious by not supporting a "lesser evil" are not supporting the "greater evil". If you read the life of Jesus in the gospel accounts you would, undoubtedly, accused Jesus of supporting evil.

We are accountable for our support, not for things we don't support. As a Christian I believe I am called to resist these powers of darkness and to stand on His Word.