Comments on: Casting a Ballot for the Eternal Kingdom http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:36:45 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Politics and the Kingdom of God « Sola Dei Gloria http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31923 Politics and the Kingdom of God « Sola Dei Gloria Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:31:43 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31923 [...] Anyway, Dan posted earlier this week over on Cerulean Sanctum, a very good commentary titled: Casting a Ballot for the Kingdom [...]

[...] Anyway, Dan posted earlier this week over on Cerulean Sanctum, a very good commentary titled: Casting a Ballot for the Kingdom [...]

]]> By: Sarah http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31841 Sarah Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:13:27 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31841 I have often wondered about the political militancy of the Christian right in America. God's kingdom is otherworldly, a place where the last are first, the humble are exalted, and the meek protected. I'm not sure that our goal should be to demand others (who don't share our beliefs) to conform to our standards. I don't think a demanding attitude reflect's Christ's nature. That being said, I DO think that a call to government (as a social arena) is as valid as a call to the arts, to health care, to academia, and so forth. I look at examples in scripture such as Joseph and Daniel. But the way God used them in political circles is much different from the attitude among politically active Christians in America today. Both Joseph and Daniel were immersed in the cultures where they served, but did not compromise their personal walk with God. They did not have an 'us against them' mentality, nor the arrogance that I see in so much of the Christian right. They were there to serve humbly and offer their wisdom and spiritual giftedness to benefit and bless even the wicked leaders they served under. This is the scandalous graciousness and goodness of God. So while I do think Christians are called to government and politics, I think the way that Christians are going about that in America is not very reflective of the kingdom values that Jesus preached and modelled for His followers. I have often wondered about the political militancy of the Christian right in America. God’s kingdom is otherworldly, a place where the last are first, the humble are exalted, and the meek protected.

I’m not sure that our goal should be to demand others (who don’t share our beliefs) to conform to our standards. I don’t think a demanding attitude reflect’s Christ’s nature. That being said, I DO think that a call to government (as a social arena) is as valid as a call to the arts, to health care, to academia, and so forth. I look at examples in scripture such as Joseph and Daniel. But the way God used them in political circles is much different from the attitude among politically active Christians in America today. Both Joseph and Daniel were immersed in the cultures where they served, but did not compromise their personal walk with God. They did not have an ‘us against them’ mentality, nor the arrogance that I see in so much of the Christian right. They were there to serve humbly and offer their wisdom and spiritual giftedness to benefit and bless even the wicked leaders they served under. This is the scandalous graciousness and goodness of God.

So while I do think Christians are called to government and politics, I think the way that Christians are going about that in America is not very reflective of the kingdom values that Jesus preached and modelled for His followers.

]]> By: Susan Hea http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31823 Susan Hea Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:19:54 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31823 That is exactly what I did. So take courage that another sister was able to do it on your behalf. When I dropped my poli-sci class my instructor was livid. He got right up in my face and I stood up to him! It was the first time I had ever stood up to anyone and believe me it was, and still is a fantastic feeling. That is exactly what I did. So take courage that another sister was able to do it on your behalf. When I dropped my poli-sci class my instructor was livid. He got right up in my face and I stood up to him! It was the first time I had ever stood up to anyone and believe me it was, and still is a fantastic feeling.

]]> By: Susan Hea http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31821 Susan Hea Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:15:12 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/10/casting-a-ballot-for-the-eternal-kingdom.html#comment-31821 AMEN! I do find it most interesting that we expect "the world" to act like we do (or hopefully we do), with an understanding of right and wrong as God sees it. We do have to do our duty to vote our conscience, but I myself don't expect much from that. God is the one who puts the people in authority over us. And anyway this is not the kingdom of God, it is the kingdom of Satan. He rules here. The only reason we as a country have made it this far and been so blessed is because of believers like you and I and millions of others. We do need to strive for, pray for—change, but when God lets it happen we just have to trust that it is part of His divine plan and one of those things we will not understand until we get to heaven. When we will see Him face to face. And then perhaps these things will be and most likely will be unimportant. "...occupy til I come." Susan AMEN! I do find it most interesting that we expect “the world” to act like we do (or hopefully we do), with an understanding of right and wrong as God sees it. We do have to do our duty to vote our conscience, but I myself don’t expect much from that. God is the one who puts the people in authority over us. And anyway this is not the kingdom of God, it is the kingdom of Satan. He rules here. The only reason we as a country have made it this far and been so blessed is because of believers like you and I and millions of others. We do need to strive for, pray for—change, but when God lets it happen we just have to trust that it is part of His divine plan and one of those things we will not understand until we get to heaven. When we will see Him face to face. And then perhaps these things will be and most likely will be unimportant. “…occupy til I come.” Susan

]]>