Tempted.. by worldly power.

[Tellyontellyon]

Jesus very clearly rejected worldly power, and his kingdom is a heavenly kingdom... at least until he returns.

So my question:
Should Christians also keep their distance, as much as possible, from getting involved in politics.. and be suspicious of those who do?

 

[Lost4words]

Jesus had a very particular mission.

Our mission is to do what Jesus taught. It doesnt mean that we shouldnt care or get involved in steering politics etc...

 

[Joseph G]

Jesus very clearly rejected worldly power, and his kingdom is a heavenly kingdom... at least until he returns.

So my question:
Should Christians also keep their distance, as much as possible, from getting involved in politics.. and be suspicious of those who do?

Yes. It's called being separate and unpolluted from this world system. It's no wonder the Jews failed to receive our Jesus as Messiah - they placed their preoccupation with liberty from Rome above their desire for an eternal home. Or caring about anybody else's eternal home.

Its a real danger for us. Too much immersion in politics, for example, inevitably tempts the most spiritual Christian to join in with the denizens of the world's favorite pass time - "I (and my policies) are more self-righteous than yours - and you're a liar, no you're a liar" - an absolute endless source of agitation indulged in since time began. Character assassination for sport.

It's no wonder the compromised Christian finds little time left, or inclination, to address the real bane of mankind - the threat of eternal damnation - and devote the bulk of our time sharing the Gospel out of genuine love for friend and foe alike.

And the devil laughs all the way to the bank.

For a little while yet...

God bless!

 

[Mark Quayle]

Jesus very clearly rejected worldly power, and his kingdom is a heavenly kingdom... at least until he returns.

So my question:
Should Christians also keep their distance, as much as possible, from getting involved in politics.. and be suspicious of those who do?

"In the world, but not of the world" does not imply non-involvement in the world, but a point-of-view that produces (among other things) wisdom concerning the world by a distance.

Consider, for example, those Germans who helped Jews during the Holocaust. Were they able to do that because they were uninvolved in politics? Or because it was an involvement (of sorts) that drove them to do it? Or was it a separate point of view of Germany's current politics that drove them to help?

"There's a time for everything".


Any more, though, it seems useful to me to be skeptical concerning all politics.

 

[Tellyontellyon]

"In the world, but not of the world" does not imply non-involvement in the world, but a point-of-view that produces (among other things) wisdom concerning the world by a distance.

Consider, for example, those Germans who helped Jews during the Holocaust. Were they able to do that because they were uninvolved in politics? Or because it was an involvement (of sorts) that drove them to do it? Or was it a separate point of view of Germany's current politics that drove them to help?

"There's a time for everything".


Any more, though, it seems useful to me to be skeptical concerning all politics.

I don't think politics or political philosophies had anything to do with Germans helping Jews, it had everything to do with getting past that and listening to the heart.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I don't think politics or political philosophies had anything to do with Germans helping Jews, it had everything to do with getting past that and listening to the heart.

That kinda makes my point.

 

[eleos1954]

Jesus very clearly rejected worldly power, and his kingdom is a heavenly kingdom... at least until he returns.

So my question:
Should Christians also keep their distance, as much as possible, from getting involved in politics.. and be suspicious of those who do?

It would seem not ...

Daniel served the kings of Babylon and Persia

 

[Tellyontellyon]

It would seem not ...

Daniel served the kings of Babylon and Persia

Was that after Jesus? Daniel wasn't Jesus?
Should we follow Jesus or Daniel?

 

[Aldebaran]

Was that after Jesus? Daniel wasn't Jesus?
Should we follow Jesus or Daniel?

Jesus is God, who is unchanging.
All throughout history, God has put his people in high positions; often at the very top. Kings such as David and Solomon, servants to kings such as Daniel, and others such as Ruth and Joseph played important roles in government.

 

[timothyu]

Jesus said not to rebel against them He said to give Caesar back his world of self serving ways and focus on the Kingdom of God which runs opposite to the world. Participation in these worldly events need not be followed in order to be in the world but not of it. Of course even Christians might not see this as even the religion at one time accepted what Jesus rejected and rejoined the world of man as first a partner then as a leader of worldly ways. No governments of man, secular or religious, have changed themselves to suit the will of God. Instead they use him to self justify their power and control while building their institutions in the same way or for the same purposes that they always have.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Was that after Jesus? Daniel wasn't Jesus?
Should we follow Jesus or Daniel?

You have some reason to consider it to be one or the other? Jesus had reasons for what he did, and Daniel did, too. Why the superstitious notion that Jesus being an example means that we should wear sandals and go multiplying loaves and fishes? A little common sense is in order here.

BTW, Jesus very much got involved in politics, not so much with the Romans, but with the religious rulers of the people, who, frankly were a much worse problem for the Spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel, than the occupying Romans were.

 

[timothyu]

Jesus very much got involved in politics, not so much with the Romans, but with the religious rulers of the people

One could say the leaders had politics siding over two different rabbis in forming their government (the same way the universal church later did), but Jesus didn't take sides with one or the other, but represented an outside world, the kingdom, an ambassador representing ways not of man or the Sanhedrin.

 

[Mark Quayle]

One could say the leaders had politics siding over two different rabbis in forming their government (the same way the universal church later did), but Jesus didn't take sides with one or the other, but represented an outside world, the kingdom, an ambassador representing ways not of man or the Sanhedrin.

Yep. In fact, he very much made his position known. And it was neither of theirs!

 

[Richard T]

Every person has their own assignments/vocations from God. I applaud those called to politics. However, they have extra temptations and all one can pray is that they keep God first.
I also will add that the most devoted Christians may not get far in politics because it is a rather dirty business and refusing to cut corners will make some enemies. Also Christians are an important voting group but as far as nominating and financially supporting candidates they are far behind other entrenched and deep state groups.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Jesus very clearly rejected worldly power, and his kingdom is a heavenly kingdom... at least until he returns.

So my question:
Should Christians also keep their distance, as much as possible, from getting involved in politics.. and be suspicious of those who do?

I don't know about that. It sort of depends on how a person reads the New Testament, from beginning to end.

 

[timewerx]

I think Jesus tangled with Jewish politics. What other reason would the Pharisees plot to kill Him? Jesus posed a threat to their authority.

 

[eleos1954]

Was that after Jesus? Daniel wasn't Jesus?
Should we follow Jesus or Daniel?

Jesus IS God ... in both the OT and the NT. ... I didn't say Daniel was Jesus. Daniels reverence was to God ... there were people that had reverence to God and also served in "governmental roles" was the point.

 

[timothyu]

Jesus posed a threat to their authority.

Of course, just as those who follow, not Christianity in general, but Jesus' message of the Gospel of the Kingdom which would threaten the governments of man today. The Kingdom and man's governments work in opposition to each other. The Christian institution got around this at one point 1700 years ago by abandoning the Kingdom and re-joining the world of man to work in it's traditional ways, no longer changed to suit the will of God but using God to assert authourity..

 

[Tellyontellyon]

Of course, just as those who follow, not Christianity in general, but Jesus' message of the Gospel of the Kingdom which would threaten the governments of man today. The Kingdom and man's governments work in opposition to each other. The Christian institution got around this at one point 1700 years ago by abandoning the Kingdom and re-joining the world of man to work in it's traditional ways, no longer changed to suit the will of God but using God to assert authourity..

We saw how involvement with government inevitably draws people into concerns about money and power.
They can't separated...
Jesus taught to have no concern for your material conditions, but entrust that to God. Seek the Kingdom.

Do Christians think there is a single politician who would make it through the eye of a needle?

 

[timothyu]

Do Christians think there is a single politician who would make it through the eye of a needle?

Perhaps they think pardoning themselves might work. Such is the wisdom of man.