Comments on: God Is Not Socialistic, Capitalistic, Democratic nor a Communist

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Tue, 04 May 2010 11:56:07 +0000

Perhaps its just me…but I think it borders on nothing short of BLASPHEMY whenever people take the Word of God and seek to take either the scriptural commands of the OT or the lifestyle of Jesus and seek to involved Him with a “tug-o-war” struggle regarding His politics/mission and trying to get Him to fit SOLELY into a certain political box we’re for/denouncing all others afterward…as it’s nothing short of self-serving, dishonorable to the Lord and the very thing which occured in His day when people tried to make Him fit into their respective boxes and it wasn’t right (i.e. Some saying He was a Magician, Some saying He should be KING of the world right then, others saying he should overthrow Rome, others saying He was going to support the temple system and all associted with Modern-Day Judaism as it was, etc). The reality of the things would be that Jesus did not line up soley with Capitalism or Socialism, LEFT Wing or RIGHT Wing politics. Even in the original Jewish Culture this was never the issue….and for an excellent read, would encourage people to consider the work by Yoder entitled “The Politics Of Jesus”–in which there’s a systematic EXAMINATION from the original Jewish Perspective concerning who Jesus was clearly and the POLITICS of His day.

By: Lionel Woods

Lionel Woods — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:56:08 +0000

Greg,

You got some spunk man I didn’t realize it until these last few comments.

By: Lionel Woods

Lionel Woods — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:55:34 +0000

Thanks John and I wholeheartedly agree, I think often times we forget our fighting for causes is a display of our worship and we really begin to worship those causes, Jesus has to be ever before us lest we lose focus.

By: Aussiejohn

Aussiejohn — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:08:55 +0000

Lionel,

Thank you for an excellent article. I agree wholeheartedly, and those of your commenters, especially Greg.

By: john morris

john morris — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:42:21 +0000

Lionel, great post and comments. I really relate to this, and what I say may not apply to others, but it certainly did for me. What I found was, being political, conservative and “patriotic” was a distraction, it filled the void. Many might say it was a good thing, for me I found it a sinful distraction. Don’t get me wrong, it is like so many other things that we tend to elevate to the center of our being, I let it fill that void, it consumed me. It was all I thought about for many,many years.
Why? It is easy now to look back and see, but at the time I would have argued about it. I put it place of my relationship with Christ and His church. It was a cheap imitation, it gave me purpose, and cost me little. It did not show me my true self, full of sin and needing to change. I made me feel ,almost, righteous and justified. I could have strong opinions and beliefs, and a porpoise for living. I guess if I boiled it down for me, it was a form of idolatry . I fear this may also be so for so many others.
For me, getting back to my first love was the answer. Putting Christ first, in all of my life, helped me to see the error of my ways. I still see “this” world through a more conservative lens. However, it is so much easier now to keep it all in perspective.
We must guard ourselves against putting anything before our love for Him, anything. Politics is any easy target, others could be harder to see. (ie- having a cause, fighting for something you know is right or just, you know, abortion, the environment,homelessness, you name the good cause you put it at the core of yourself, even if it was inspired by God, and it will do the same thing) This world will pass away, His kingdom will not, seek it first. Lord bless you. John Morris.

By: Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:38:54 +0000

There’s only one country that God required His people to love: The Old Covenant theocracy of Israel which has ended. Now that all Christians live in non-Christian countries (some even anti-Christian), patriotism is no longer a godly virtue. Nor is it a sin. It’s an amoral/neutral issue.

In the NT, we don’t find any command, “Thou shalt love your country.” And the fruit of the Spirit is not, “love, joy, patriotism, etc.” Nor do we find, “in the lake of fire are all liars, thieves, non-patriots, etc.”

Patriotism is like a religion. Too often it demands idolatrous, total devotion of men’s hearts, blinding them to ever question the “Patriot Confession of Faith.”

And evil politicians know how to use patriotism to manipulate citizens to support their evil agendas. If you do love your country, beware of loving it beyond rational belief. Keep your eyes open. “Test all things.”

That said, I’m thankful for some of our forefathers who CHOSE to love their country enough to defend our freedom. Without them, I would not be writing this today.

There’s only one country today worthy of ALL our hearts, the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. Whatever love you may have for your earthly country, may it be like hate in comparison.

By: Lionel Woods

Lionel Woods — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:34:39 +0000

I will do just that Greg, and I agree, I think our theology plays a huge part in this perspective.

By: Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:05:07 +0000

“…Not a Christian Virtue”

By: Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:14:36 +0000

Lionel,

This is an issue I’ve been thinking about the past 2 days. It’s hard for me to imagine that Jesus died for the “sins” of idolatry, adultery, economic Socialism and Fascism. And it’s hard for me to imagine the apostles preaching the gospel today, “Repent of your idolatry, adultery, lying, Socialism and Fascism, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christ fulfilled and abolished the Old Covenant’s Capitalistic theocracy. The type is 100% finished and fulfilled by Christ’s spiritual kingdom, not earthly kingdoms’ governments and economies.

P.S. If you want to get really controversial (which you seem to excel at consider writing your next post on “Why Patriotism Is Not a Biblical Virtue.” (Are Christians in N. Korea and Pakistan commanded to love their country? Think about it.)

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:27:31 +0000

don’t worry Hutch, I could tell you were joking….

I think I just decided that I’m going to start calling myself a “legal alien, living in the united states”…