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Christians in politics

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Yeshua1

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JonC said:
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)?
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Politics are not evil by and in itself, so we need to bring into all spheres the Christian light and witness!
 
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Yeshua1

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just-want-peace said:
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.
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Christians have always been involved into all spheres of the society, for should we not be the light and salt, as were not even the pagans blessed by God when they peop[le of God were being used, such as Joseph?
 
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Yeshua1

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JonC said:
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?
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Was someone like a Francis schaffaer doing the work of the Lord or not?
 
JonC

JonC

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Yeshua1 said:
Politics are not evil by and in itself, so we need to bring into all spheres the Christian light and witness!
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I agree. Church politics is not necessarily evil (although it certainly can be). But we are speaking about secular politics. The difference is one is concerned with the affairs of the church, the other with the affairs of the World. And yes, politics in this sense is evil. And Christians who are involved in worldly politics are trying to "serve two masters".

This is why Christians refused to be involved in politics until the Roman Catholic Church blended Church and State.
 
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Yeshua1

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JonC said:
I agree. Church politics is not necessarily evil (although it certainly can be). But we are speaking about secular politics. The difference is one is concerned with the affairs of the church, the other with the affairs of the World. And yes, politics in this sense is evil. And Christians who are involved in worldly politics are trying to "serve two masters".

This is why Christians refused to be involved in politics until the Roman Catholic Church blended Church and State.
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No sin to be a Christian President or Senator!
 
JonC

JonC

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Yeshua1 said:
was His emphasis on being involved in and with culture and society as a Christian wrong or right?
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Part of his emphasis was probably right. We are to be involved with our culture and society. He wrestled with deciding what level was appropriate (he did not want his voice hijacked by politics and initially thought abortion too political an issue....his son changed his view on that).

I have already said, though, that we are to be involved with our culture and our society. We are to continue the ministry of reconciliation. We reach individuals with the gospel. What I am saying we should not do is become involved in worldly politics (e.g., a "Christian" Democrat or a "Christian" Republican....as they just look like Democrats and Republicans).
 
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Yeshua1

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JonC said:
Part of his emphasis was probably right. We are to be involved with our culture and society. He wrestled with deciding what level was appropriate (he did not want his voice hijacked by politics and initially thought abortion too political an issue....his son changed his view on that).

I have already said, though, that we are to be involved with our culture and our society. We are to continue the ministry of reconciliation. We reach individuals with the gospel. What I am saying we should not do is become involved in worldly politics (e.g., a "Christian" Democrat or a "Christian" Republican....as they just look like Democrats and Republicans).
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Political, arts, music, etc are not sinful in and by themselves, for if so, none of us would be now posting here on internet! Satan uses it for pornography, while God for these kind of sites!
 
JonC

JonC

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Yeshua1 said:
Political, arts, music, etc are not sinful in and by themselves, for if so, none of us would be now posting here on internet! Satan uses it for pornography, while God for these kind of sites!
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Politics may be an art....but it is not art :Laugh .

I agree with you here. I have been saying the EXACT same thing.

Politics itself is not sinful. Christians should be concerned with the "politics" of the Church (of the community of Christians and the assembly). Church discipline would fall into this category. So would ministering to the needs of the congregation.

And yes, Satan uses Christian's desire for Church politics - for a righteous governance in the Kingdom of God - for world politics. Christians remove themselves from the proper affairs to concentrate on making a world which is already condemned appear less so evil.

To your point, world politics is perhaps the greatest evil Satan has used to deceive otherwise faithful Christians. Satan has used politics in America to compromise the Church, to strengthen his hold on the hearts of men, to weaken Christianity, and to undermine the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
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Yeshua1

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JonC said:
Politics may be an art....but it is not art :Laugh .

I agree with you here. I have been saying the EXACT same thing.

Politics itself is not sinful. Christians should be concerned with the "politics" of the Church (of the community of Christians and the assembly). Church discipline would fall into this category. So would ministering to the needs of the congregation.

And yes, Satan uses Christian's desire for Church politics - for a righteous governance in the Kingdom of God - for world politics. Christians remove themselves from the proper affairs to concentrate on making a world which is already condemned appear less so evil.

To your point, world politics is perhaps the greatest evil Satan has used to deceive otherwise faithful Christians. Satan has used politics in America to compromise the Church, to strengthen his hold on the hearts of men, to weaken Christianity, and to undermine the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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I would see things such as the Emergent Church, Theistic evolution, Charismatic Chaos, and the secularization of morality into Churches as far more dangerous!
 
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