Voicing their opinion or voting based on one's belief is certainly within the bounds of responsible citizenship. Attempting to use the government to further one's beliefs by imposing them on others is antithetical to what Jesus taught. He did not use domination, although he easily could have. He chose to become the servant and presented the Kingdom of God in a loving and self-sacrificing manner which seems to have worked better than voting for the "right" candidate.
He left out the prevelent view of American Christianity today: That is the view that Jesus is a Republican. He probably left this out because he is a proponent of it. Notice that he takes a swipe at "liberals" influencing society for change (i.e. Dr Martin Luther King!). But he doesn't take a swipe at conservatives who try to influence society in ways that promote their political views. how one-sided and wrong
Romans 13 isn't telling christians to be involved in government, but how we are to understand government and respond to government. Government's role is conducive to the higher role that a christian is called to. We are to submit, always being wary that we must obey God and not men.
Christians follow Christ. It is His message that we seek to fulfill in our lives. His message was mercy, not judgment. We are to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful. We are salt and light, distinct.
@Thinker The context here is salvation, and _in this context_, there is no free will for Calvinists. The unregenerate can neither choose faith nor repentance and thus their will is bound to sin until God intervenes.
How on earth can a Calvinist say "genuine religious faith has to be voluntary"? I thought all wills were bound and there is no free will and only election.
@cawoodm That is a common mischaracterization of Reformed theology, but a mischaracterization nonetheless. All wills are bound to the extent that it is limited to the nature of the will. Calvinism does not teach that there is no free-will.
@ResurrectedThinker Calvinism teaches that the will is bound as regards sin and salvation. The unregenerate can only sin and do no righteous deed pleasing to God. From an other angle, Calvinism teaches that regeneration precedes faith. These doctrines would seem to be incompatible with Grudem's slip-up that religious faith is voluntary since an unregenerate cannot voluntarily have faith. To say the genuine faith is voluntary after God grants it is, I think, to misuse the word "voluntary".
I have been in a discussion with this guy. He uploads all FOX News has to report claiming a John the Baptist position. I don't think John the Baptist would have aligned himself with the Sanhedrin to sway Herod's practices. I think this guy misrepresents the Kingdom. Should we align ourselves with these secular parties? Both parties have major errors, but also, both include those with hearts inclined to God. Can you clarify? Some news reporting agencies are very offensive to minorities.
I agree in part, I personally am leaning to a separation of Church and State. I do not believe we as Christians should be passing laws to force humanity into living so-called Godly lives. They can't do it without the Work of Grace within their lives.
This is something I have to seek the face of the Lord, to receive His Wisdom and understanding.
Voicing their opinion or voting based on one's belief is certainly within the bounds of responsible citizenship. Attempting to use the government to further one's beliefs by imposing them on others is antithetical to what Jesus taught. He did not use domination, although he easily could have. He chose to become the servant and presented the Kingdom of God in a loving and self-sacrificing manner which seems to have worked better than voting for the "right" candidate.
FecundChance 9 months ago
He left out the prevelent view of American Christianity today: That is the view that Jesus is a Republican. He probably left this out because he is a proponent of it. Notice that he takes a swipe at "liberals" influencing society for change (i.e. Dr Martin Luther King!). But he doesn't take a swipe at conservatives who try to influence society in ways that promote their political views. how one-sided and wrong
brendos444 10 months ago
@brendos444 Jesus was a Libertarian. Ok maybe a Constitutionalist.
exiled30 2 months ago
Romans 13 isn't telling christians to be involved in government, but how we are to understand government and respond to government. Government's role is conducive to the higher role that a christian is called to. We are to submit, always being wary that we must obey God and not men.
Christians follow Christ. It is His message that we seek to fulfill in our lives. His message was mercy, not judgment. We are to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful. We are salt and light, distinct.
shadyrill 1 year ago
i think people disregard alot of things like government etc as evil because they are lazy and cant be bothered getting involvedd
Pacslyf 1 year ago
@Thinker The context here is salvation, and _in this context_, there is no free will for Calvinists. The unregenerate can neither choose faith nor repentance and thus their will is bound to sin until God intervenes.
cawoodm 1 year ago
How on earth can a Calvinist say "genuine religious faith has to be voluntary"? I thought all wills were bound and there is no free will and only election.
cawoodm 1 year ago
@cawoodm That is a common mischaracterization of Reformed theology, but a mischaracterization nonetheless. All wills are bound to the extent that it is limited to the nature of the will. Calvinism does not teach that there is no free-will.
ResurrectedThinker 1 year ago
@ResurrectedThinker Calvinism teaches that the will is bound as regards sin and salvation. The unregenerate can only sin and do no righteous deed pleasing to God. From an other angle, Calvinism teaches that regeneration precedes faith. These doctrines would seem to be incompatible with Grudem's slip-up that religious faith is voluntary since an unregenerate cannot voluntarily have faith. To say the genuine faith is voluntary after God grants it is, I think, to misuse the word "voluntary".
cawoodm 7 months ago
I have been in a discussion with this guy. He uploads all FOX News has to report claiming a John the Baptist position. I don't think John the Baptist would have aligned himself with the Sanhedrin to sway Herod's practices. I think this guy misrepresents the Kingdom. Should we align ourselves with these secular parties? Both parties have major errors, but also, both include those with hearts inclined to God. Can you clarify? Some news reporting agencies are very offensive to minorities.
sprestoration 1 year ago
I agree in part, I personally am leaning to a separation of Church and State. I do not believe we as Christians should be passing laws to force humanity into living so-called Godly lives. They can't do it without the Work of Grace within their lives.
This is something I have to seek the face of the Lord, to receive His Wisdom and understanding.
ez2seeu2 2 years ago
Good clear teaching - many thanks to the CI
davemakesawave 2 years ago