How do Christianity and the Bible apply to Civil Government?
Feel free to dive right in. If you want some preliminary thought from me here are a couple of comments I've made about that recently:
freedomthirst.com/2008/03/1...overnment/
freedomthirst.com/2008/03/1...overnment/
Feel free to dive right in. If you want some preliminary thought from me here are a couple of comments I've made about that recently:
freedomthirst.com/2008/03/1...overnment/
freedomthirst.com/2008/03/1...overnment/
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Re: Civil Government
Thu, March 20, 2008 - 10:39 AMRomans 13:10 says:
Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
This ideal is the basis of our faith. The problem is that love cannot be enforced by the civil government. That being the case I think the best our government can do is set the expectation that it is unlawful to willfully injure other members of the society. -
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Re: Civil Government
Fri, March 21, 2008 - 5:37 AMI think you make an excellent distinction between Internal Government of Love and Civil Government. So much confusion could be avoided if we recognized this!
The Civil Government does not exist to enforce God's Ways on the planet. It exists to enforce the Freedom for Individuals to live out God's Ways.
:-)
ThirstyJon -
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Re: Civil Government
Fri, March 21, 2008 - 8:01 AM<I think you make an excellent distinction between Internal Government of Love and Civil Government. So much confusion could be avoided if we recognized this! >
Why do you think so many people who read the bible fail to see this distinction? -
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Re: Civil Government
Sun, March 23, 2008 - 10:39 AMI think Christians know that it is God's will to advance His ways in the earth. Maybe they just forget that each person has to make a choice!
Also, to clarify, I am not sure I chose the best words by saying that Civil Government does not exist to enforce God's ways in the earth. More accurately, it does not exist to promote faith or worship. It does exist to promote God's Ways in the areas under it's domain. There is some room for debate in what is in it's domain, but some things are clear.
In Civil Government's Domain:
Do not Murder
Do not Steal
Mediating Financial Disputes that cannot be resolved otherwise
Not in Civil Government's Domain:
How to have Church
Faith in Jesus
How to Worship God
Things that are less clear:
Do not Commit Adultery
:-)
ThirstyJon
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Unsu...
Re: Civil Government
Tue, April 1, 2008 - 11:19 PM<This ideal is the basis of our faith. The problem is that love cannot be enforced by the civil government. That being the case I think the best our government can do is set the expectation that it is unlawful to willfully injure other members of the society. >
Heres another question, is civil government the domain of God or Satan? I would say that until the kingdom of god is accepted by all, it is the under the power and influence of Satan. In that case the question is not what is the best our government can do, but what is the best we can do to participate in it and yet not become apart of its evil.
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Unsu...
Re: Civil Government
Fri, March 28, 2008 - 6:15 AMChristianity teaches that man is sinful and prone to corruption. This self evident truth has led our founders to wisely separate the powers of civil government into the 4 branches (yes 4!) Judiciary, Legislature, Executive and the People. In addition, we have a dual Federal/State government as well.
Christian morality is the only proper basis for civil government as well. Our founders understood the importance of encouraging Christianity, including the printing and distribution of Bibles.
