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Should pulpits remain silent on politics?

timothyu

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Why did the early Christians challenge Rome then
For the very reason they were supposed to. And by challenge, they did not live by the self serving ways of man. They were known as haters of man for rejecting human's natural self-serving behaviour. . That all reversed when they sold out and joined the Empire in partnership.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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For the very reason they were supposed to. And by challenge, they did not live by the self serving ways of man. They were known as haters of man for rejecting human's natural self-serving behaviour. . That all reversed when they sold out and joined the Empire in partnership.
Rather didn't the Empire join the Church and change it's ways to suite it? How did the early Church sell out? Do you condemn all Christians prior to you for selling out?
 
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timothyu

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Would you have preferred Constantine bot acknowledge the one true God and Jesus Christ?
Constantine acknowledged that using Christianity as a political tool was convenient in uniting the empire, especially after he won the civil war because opposing Christin soldiers would not fight their own and surrendered. Strategic and self-serving as all human ways are.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Constantine acknowledged that using Christianity as a political tool was convenient in uniting the empire, especially after he won the civil war because opposing Christin soldiers would not fight their own and surrendered. Strategic and self-serving as all human ways are.
How was Christianity a minority religion a political tool? Do you think leaders don't believe in ideology or have faith?
 
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timothyu

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Rather didn't the Empire join the Church and change it's ways to suite it?
Of course not and none have since. There is still no loving neighbour as self or putting God's will before man's.

Do you condemn all Christians prior to you for selling out?
No, just the administration in the same way Jesus did with the Sanhedrin.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Of course not and none have since. There is still no loving neighbour as self or putting God's will before man's.


No, just the administration in the same way Jesus did with the Sanhedrin.
So you would have rather seen the Roman Empire maintain crucifixion as a punishment? Instead of see Christians outlaw it?
 
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timothyu

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So you would have rather seen the Roman Empire maintain crucifixion as a punishment? Instead of see Christians outlaw it?
The ol' end justifies the means by way of self-justification. Humans turned against the will of God to once again work with the will of man. Ultimate sin. Jesus never did this, He was Kingdom all the way. So who was the real mccoy in representing the will of God??
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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The ol' end justifies the means by way of self-justification. Humans turned against the will of God to once again work with the will of man. Ultimate sin. Jesus never did this, He was Kingdom all the way. So who was the real mccoy in representing the will of God??
Well no. Im asking you. Was it wrong for crucifixion to be outlawed by Christians?
 
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timothyu

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Was it wrong for crucifixion to be outlawed by Christians?
You seem to think they had some say. They didn't. The Emperor simply thought it made no sense to keep persecuting the people he wanted to use to help unite the empire. Common sense. God knew the human church would fail him as the Jews had done, but even this He used to His advantage. Man played no part except to mess up as usual.
 
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public hermit

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And you would have preferred if the Pagans remained Pagans? Im honestly kind of confused at your guys reasoning.

Have you read the hagiographical statements about him from church leaders at that time, e.g. those of Eusebius? People were estatic. They thought, foolishly, that the state being on their side was some great boon. No, I wish the church had remained free from the ties and temptations of governmental power.

Why is it you and I have this same discussion every couple months? Alas, the insanity of repetition.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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You seem to think they had some say. They didn't. The Emperor simply thought it made no sense to keep persecuting the people he wanted to use to help unite the empire. Common sense. God knew the human church would fail him as the Jews had done, but even this He used to His advantage. Man played no part except to mess up as usual.
Yes, the Christian Emperor had a say and he got rid of crucifixion as a punishment. Was this wrong?
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Have read the hagiographical statements about him from church leaders at that time, e.g. those of Eusebius? People were estatic. They thought, foolishly, that the state being on their side was some great boon. No, I wish the church had remained free from the ties and temptations of governmental power.
So you'd prefer if Christians had become sort of permanent dhimmi class?
 
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Tuur

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Ever heard of Constantine? Keep up, bud. The church became Romanized and still hasn't recovered. The way of Christ and the institution that embraced power are two different things. Church visible vs. church invisible, and so on.
Ever hear of Julian the Apostate? Roman emperor years after the death of Constantine. Schooled in Christianity and rejected it for paganism. Engaged in an almost forgotten persecution of Christians (noted in Foxes' Book of Martyrs). Also urged pagan priests to act more like Christian priests in things like compassion, which is an interesting contrast between the two. Worked for the restoration of paganism in the Roman Empire.

The point being he came after Constantine.
 
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public hermit

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Ever hear of Julian the Apostate? Roman emperor years after the death of Constantine. Schooled in Christianity and rejected it for paganism. Engaged in an almost forgotten persecution of Christians (noted in Foxes' Book of Martyrs). Also urged pagan priests to act more like Christian priests in things like compassion, which is an interesting contrast between the two. Worked for the restoration of paganism in the Roman Empire.

The point being he came after Constantine.

Valid point, but that was just a bump in the road. It didn't change the trajectory of the institution.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Did I say that? No, what I said still stands.
But that's what it entails since you oppose Christians having power or sovereignty over themselves as a community, right? We need a non Christian ruling class over us right?
 
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Akita Suggagaki

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Depends what someone considers “political” imo.
They should speak to issues and principles but not candidates.
 
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