Christians and Politics

[Nicodemus1968]

Looking for some info regarding history of believers in politics. Obviously, considering the atmosphere that where in today being Election Day. I’m looking to understand the role a Christian should play or not play in when it comes to world government.
Some of you scholars if you could shoot me some articles or books that maybe you have read or found useful, I’d be thankful.

[Tithesmeister]

Interesting topic and one worthy of discussion and researching.

I’m going to just throw out a conversation starter and I, intentionally will not provide supporting information.

How about the Christian Nationalism and the KKK involvement in the “early” Pentecostal movement? Should we get into that?

On a generic level, I know it’s controversial, but I do vote. I make my best attempt to support with my vote whichever candidate is least offensive to my Christian beliefs.

[Amanah]

I don't care what pentecostalism or any other isms thinks or has done.

Government is ordained by God to promote good and restrain evil, as outlined in Romans 13. Its primary function is to maintain justice, uphold the sanctity of life, and protect property.

Christians are called to:

*Respect and Obey Authorities: Be model citizens, honoring and obeying governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:11-17)
*Pray for Governments: Pray for earthly governments to promote peace, justice, and righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
*Be Prophetic Voices: Speak out against injustice and call governments to accountability.

Examples of serving in govt:
*Joseph: Served in the Egyptian government, using his influence to benefit society (Genesis 45:9-12).
*Daniel: Held high-ranking positions in foreign administrations, implementing policies that benefited society.
*Queen Esther: Used her influence in the Persian government to save the Jewish people.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

Interesting topic and one worthy of discussion and researching.

I’m going to just throw out a conversation starter and I, intentionally will not provide supporting information.

How about the Christian Nationalism and the KKK involvement in the “early” Pentecostal movement? Should we get into that?

On a generic level, I know it’s controversial, but I do vote. I make my best attempt to support with my vote whichever candidate is least offensive to my Christian beliefs.

I didn’t know that. Do you articles or a website that I could read further into that? Thanks

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I don't care what pentecostalism or any other isms thinks or has done.

Government is ordained by God to promote good and restrain evil, as outlined in Romans 13. Its primary function is to maintain justice, uphold the sanctity of life, and protect property.

Christians are called to:

*Respect and Obey Authorities: Be model citizens, honoring and obeying governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:11-17)
*Pray for Governments: Pray for earthly governments to promote peace, justice, and righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
*Be Prophetic Voices: Speak out against injustice and call governments to accountability.

Examples of serving in govt:
*Joseph: Served in the Egyptian government, using his influence to benefit society (Genesis 45:9-12).
*Daniel: Held high-ranking positions in foreign administrations, implementing policies that benefited society.
*Queen Esther: Used her influence in the Persian government to save the Jewish people.

Your examples are great.

Do you think there is a difference between the Old Covenant ways and the New Covenant ways. As far as how God used Joseph, Esther, and Daniel?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

Looking for some info regarding history of believers in politics. Obviously, considering the atmosphere that where in today being Election Day. I’m looking to understand the role a Christian should play or not play in when it comes to world government.
Some of you scholars if you could shoot me some articles or books that maybe you have read or found useful, I’d be thankful.

Government that is conformed to the will of God is good for the nation. Government that is contrary to the will of God is bad for the nation:

Proverbs 29:2 KJV
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Isaiah 32:1 KJV
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

Rulers are required to be Christians, and Christians are not allowed to choose rulers who are not Christians. Rulers must also be of the same nation and stock as those whom they to govern:

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 KJV
When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; [15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. [16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. [17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. [18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: [19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: [20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Government is ordained by God specifically to punish evil and protect righteousness, and is to be the servant of God:

Romans 13:1-7 KJV
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Rulers, regardless how they enter into their office, are ultimately put in power by God Himself:

Daniel 4:17 KJV
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

If we as a nation are unrighteous and evil, we will get unrighteous and evil government, usually foreign-controlled:

Deuteronomy 28:43-44 KJV
The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. [44] He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.

Deuteronomy 28:68 KJV
And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

Interesting topic and one worthy of discussion and researching.

I’m going to just throw out a conversation starter and I, intentionally will not provide supporting information.

How about the Christian Nationalism and the KKK involvement in the “early” Pentecostal movement? Should we get into that?

Since you won't be providing supporting information, then there's not much to discuss, is there?

On a generic level, I know it’s controversial, but I do vote. I make my best attempt to support with my vote whichever candidate is least offensive to my Christian beliefs.

Who counts your vote?

[Esaias]

The church's role in government:

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

"Every creature" includes everybody in government, from the king or President down to the dogcatcher. The church is commissioned by Christ to be the teacher to all nations and everybody in those nations, including their governors and rulers. The goal is to evangelize not just the random people on the street or the random visitors to the church house, but every nation and everybody in those nations, from top to bottom and side to side. Our job is to be the hands and feet of God in converting the entire world to Christ.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Esaias

The church's role in government:

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15 KJV
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

"Every creature" includes everybody in government, from the king or President down to the dogcatcher. The church is commissioned by Christ to be the teacher to all nations and everybody in those nations, including their governors and rulers. The goal is to evangelize not just the random people on the street or the random visitors to the church house, but every nation and everybody in those nations, from top to bottom and side to side. Our job is to be the hands and feet of God in converting the entire world to Christ.

In order to do this, Christians must take God's side on every issue, and must champion the cause of Christ and His LORDSHIP and DOMINION and AUTHORITY in every issue. Rather than retreating from the field of battle and allowing the wicked to have free reign over society, we are to be the heralds of Christ's ascension to the Throne. That is to say, we are to uphold the position that Christ is ruler of the nations and His Law-Word is the true "Supreme Law of the Land". We are to oppose any and every attempt to usurp Christ's authority (such as when society or its rulers attempt to evict Christ and His Gospel and his Word from being the Guiding Light by which they and society are to operate).

Unfortunately, most professing Christians have bought into the satanic lie of "separation of religion and politics" to the point that Christians have now practically no impact on society at large. When we should be taught from day one of our Christian life that Christ is King and therefore there is no such thing as a "separation of religion and politics". Christ's kingdom is "not of this world", but that doesn't mean that Christ is not really and truly KING. The very title "king" necessarily invokes the political. He is "King of kings" meaning He is the rightful God-ordained authority over all "rulers" and governors, regardless of who they are or who they think they are.

All governments must and ultimately will submit to Christ and His government:

Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Micah 4:1-4 KJV
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. [2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I didn’t know that. Do you articles or a website that I could read further into that? Thanks

There is documentation. I really expected that Esaias would know some stuff. EB hasn’t weighed in yet either. I’ll dig up some documents if I need to. I’d rather wait for others to weigh in.