Engaging as Christians in today's political climate
- Oct 31, 2012
The Politics of the Gospel
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
"A man will change his God before he changes his politics."
On Wednesday October 10, Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary, gave a short presentation addressing the issue of politics and the gospel. Expounding on the theme that the gospel of Christ crucified incorporates the gospel of the kingdom, Dr. Young averred that Christians cannot claim allegience to Christ without also being concerned for the world at large.
Dr. Young explained that Jesus' claim to be the Son of God was a direct challenge to the imperial cult of Rome where Caesar Augustus was known as the Son of God. Jesus' life was not only directly political, but he established God's kingdom under which all other human governments must submit. Jesus' kingdom is not one of power, wealth, and clout, but of meekness, weakness, and servant-leadership.
Part of the mission of God is for his church to help execute the spread of Christ's kingdom. Christians have a responsibility to remind all governing powers that Christ is in authority over them; that our allegience should not be to any one party for we must be able to stand above and critique all governments; and that Christians must speak prophetic rebuke, pursue life, justice, truth, reconciliation, and worship in the public sphere.
You can listen to the presentation here: stream | download
Resources:
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How God Became King: The Forgotten Sotry of the Gospels by N.T. Wright, HarperOne, 2012. ISBN: 0061730572 |
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Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright, HarperOne, 2011 ISBN: 0062084399 |
Thinking Biblically at the Polls
Thursday, October 25, 2012
A forum of Denver Seminary professors and adjunct faculty, including Dr. Danny Carroll, Elodie Emig, Craig Smith, and Dr. Gary VanderPol, discuss the role of politics in the church and how Christians should make political decisions. Dr. Randy MacFarland served as the moderator.
In the first hour the panelists explored these four topics:
- A summary of four different Christian positions on the role of government (Catholic, Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist)
- Responding to the statement: If you are an Evangelical, then surely you must be Republican…
- Describe the relationship of the church to politics…
- What criteria do you use to make political choices?
In the second hour: Q&A from the audience
You can listen to the forum here:
Comments(1)
Comments:
Don Morris
Shame on you churches of thousands who would rather build their own kingdoms than sweat for the kingdom of God.
Shame on you pastors, ministers, reverends and priests who work to be adored and loved, and will not stoop to love those dying alone.
Shame on you Christians who want to be saved, but wont save the little ones dying.
Shame on you white Christians singing sugary songs on Sunday who would rather save themselves from little troubles by condoning the killing of little ones, than fight for the defenseless, homeless and the little children.
Shame on you black Christians who on Sunday parade as silly peacocks with colorful hats, gold rings, watches and bracelets, and forsake their dying brothers, sisters and children.
Shame on you Hispanics who think they have suffered enough, and won’t suffer anymore though their Christ suffers still for the little children dying and those in prison.
Shame on you Asians who raise your children well, and say, “That is enough”, and forsake your neighbors in need.
Shame on you American Christians who have been given much, and wasted the gracious gifts on your own pleasures of comfort.
Shame on me for I am one of you, and the time of judgment has begun. We will reap what is due, and I grieve that if we die today there is little to be proud of.
I have stood silent as the little ones die. I have turned away from the weak, dirty and outcast. I have suffered little, and suffered not for another. My church is as clean and rich as me. My church and I have never been hurt, maligned or persecuted, because we have never stood up against wrong.
Your church is no different than mine. If it were we would be a city on a hill shining brightly through the darkness. Little ones would not be dying alone without our tears.
God have mercy on us.
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