God's government
This is a thought we've been chewing on since we went to church in Colorado Springs.
What is the "American Christian" perspective on democracy as a form of government? The impression we get is that it's viewed as: 1- the best, 2- the only "right" form of government, 3- obviously the one most supportive of the Bible and moral living, and 4- the one God himself endorses... just look at the success of this country and the ideals it was founded on.
Here are our concerns with ethnocentric perspectives on one's own government. First, democracy is never used in the Bible. God's own people were governed by patriarchal tribes, then judges, then monarchies, and then foreign control. Did any form of political structure stop God? Could God be limited by the governments in place in our world today?
I hear so much negative talk about Communism in China as this horrible evil preventing the Chinese from freedom to practice religion. And yet, the church is growing faster there than anywhere else in the world and the people are eager to hear about the Bible and Jesus Christ.
Here's personal bias: Communism in its ideal state is the governmental system that most appropriately fits what the Christian community should be. However, humanity is fallen and sinful and no system we create will ever be perfect and right. Thus, communism will never be what it claims. The same with democracy. I am unwilling, then, to say that democracy is the best, or "christian," form of government.
posted by Pierre @ 1:44 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
It's no surprise that you got to thinking of this subject while in Colorado Springs. It seems to be a hotbed of "Christian" political groups and I'm sure their influence has spread throughout the community there. How unfortunate that Christians today don't use the Bible as their guide on how to shape their ideas. It seems to be easier to listen to the latest speaker or book then use his/her ideas on how things work and make them your own. I agree with you two on the idea of communism being the closest form of government to the early church's way of functioning. As crazy as that sounds being an American, it's true when you read the book of Acts and Paul's letters. I think most modern American Christians go way too far with their patriotism and defence of democracy. Our allegiance is not to the USA or any other nation-state or government made by men. The nations are like a drop of water in the ocean to God. The Bible shows us that we are not citizens of this world, but aliens (Phil 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11 and 1:17) only passing through. Our one and only allegiance should be to the Lordship of Jesus Christ who's kingdom is alive and well and which we are a part of having been redeemed through his blood. If one were to study a little Christian history they would find that many a Christian has died for pledging allegiance only to Christ and not to the emperor or king of the day. I also totally agree with what you had to say about the church in China growing so rapidly. Most Christians in America think it's so great that we live in a "religiously free" country because we are so free to practice our beliefs without persecution. This is a subtle deception that most of us are under here in the States. Our "freedom" has made us a bunch of complacent, lazy, and lukewarm Christians at best. History will once again show us that a persecuted church is a growing, thriving church of truly commited believers who draw close together into community the way the early church did. Modern American Churchianity tends to be a shallow, disconnected, self-centered religion that wavers at the drop of the hat because it has not real convictions on what it believes. I think I've said enough for one response. Dylan
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home