Political Stuff

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Political Stuff

April 17, 2008

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Part of the time I spend with our folks Sunday will be focused on the exchange Jesus had with his disciples recorded by Luke in Acts 1:6-8. The disciples asked him if he would now restore the kingdom to Israel. What they were asking was if he would restore political power to the Jewish nation. Jesus told them that they would receive power not through a political movement but through a spiritual movement, the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would empower them and they would pursue an intentional geographical progression of world transformation. They would accomplish this by simply being “witnesses” of Christ. (In Matthew's words they would "make disciples." They would immerse all kinds of people in the character of God, teaching them to obey the commandments of Jesus.)
I think it is interesting that the disciples wanted to pursue world transformation through a transfer of political power. They wanted a “Top Down” transformation strategy. Jesus introduced them to a pursuit of world transformation involving an infusion of spiritual power. Jesus wanted a “Bottom Up” transformation strategy. This is an election year and my guess is that certain segments of the Christian community will be sucked into the very alluring “top down” world transformation strategy. They will attempt to change the world by getting “God’s man or woman” in Washington. Like the disciples, we may be drawn to that strategy but Jesus is not. Jesus is committed to a “bottom up” world transformation strategy.

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April 18, 2008

Hey Rob, don't you know that we don't talk about politics on MyChurch?!!!! Seriously, I think you're right, people in Luke's day looked for a political solution to their dilemma. But you know what? A lot of today's Americans fit into that mold, too. The top-down strategy is alive and well especially during our political campaigns. I don't know what will turn the tide. But I do know this, as my pastor friend once said, "It's a spiritual" thing. Could it be that simple? What would be the benefit for Americans if we were all on the same page spiritually? How would that affect corporate greed, family values or war with our neighbors?

I think we need a grass roots approach to solve what seems to be a growing national dilemma. The bottom-up strategy seems to be a step in the right direction.