JessIAm
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||July 12, 2007 at 2:42pm|email it|431 reads
 

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jam137
July 12, 2007 at 3:00pm
This seems like a good time to once again plug Dr. Gene Edward Veith's work on "Two Kingdoms" theology---a theology that has been articulated by Luther and Augustine and seems to best elaborate what Jesus means when he says that we are to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17).

"Christianity and Culture: God's Double Sovereignty" by Dr. Gene Edward Veith

"Christians and Culture...Untying the Knot": an interview with Veith
Minoson
July 14, 2007 at 8:47am

You made a good observation of the Scripture.
I agree with you.
I got to the same conclusion thorugh conversation with unbelieving people on internet.

Sue
July 14, 2007 at 9:03am
This is very well written Jess and you make some excellent points!
Don Swanger
October 30, 2007 at 8:35pm
One of the classics on this struggle was written by a German minister who grappled with the various Christian responses to the rise and spread of Nazism.  His name was Reinhold Neibuhr, and the book is called Christ and Culture. 
Don Swanger
October 30, 2007 at 8:43pm
I guess the question that arises, Jess, is how do we Christians participate in the various spheres of life then?  How do we do politics, or economics, or business, or art, or education, or law?  Does God give us principles by which we can participate Christianly in these spheres?  Do we withdraw to enclaves? Or do we let the world dictate the terms of our participation? 
jam137
October 30, 2007 at 11:52pm
The first Veith article that I linked to above makes reference to Niebuhr's work. Once again, I'll recommend it! :-)
JessIAm
October 31, 2007 at 9:22am

Howdy Don,

Thanks for asking those questions.  I'm not opposed to Christians exercising political responsibilities.  I don't think we should cloister ourselves.  The way we go about politics, economics, business, art, education or law is all the same - lovingly glorify Jesus in all we do, and in the manner we do it.

My viewpoint about political movements comes from historical precedent and God's commandments.  I can't see a single commandment where God says "My Church should organize itself to force people around them to act the way I want".  What I see is groups of believers organizing themselves to be a political force, not a spiritual resource.  Historically, every time a religious movement gains political power, the believers in the situation start living in the flesh, not the spirit.  The Catholic Church throughout the middle ages is a good example.

I just don't see the Bible telling me to become part of a political force to make people act the way God wants.  In fact, most of what the Epistles teach about behavior is for believers to get God's involvement to get their lives in order, and to love other people.

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