Where on earth do we get the idea that Jesus would vote this way or that way?
I don't think Jesus would vote for anyone. Jesus was homeless. The son of man had no place to lay his head. You gotta have a residency and lay your head somewhere to legally vote.
Hey...there's an idea on skating past the "you un-american, want something for nothing, non-voter" jive. Be homeless. Check-mate.
On issues involving the poor and social injustices:
Republicans: basically have a "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" mentality. You're poor because you made bad mistakes. So you deal with it. Don't ask me for nothing.
Democrats: basically want to give out assistance forever, funded by higher taxes, thus creating the idolatry of one people being dependent on another.
I know those are both over-generalizations on both US political parties. But both examples seem like crappy, non Jesus-like responses.
I'm not quite at the place to suggest not voting. But I wouldn't advise outsourcing one's subversive faith to politics. Don't expect politics to save man...
11 comments:
re: one people being dependent on another - isn't that the way it is suposed to be? if the church cares for the poor isn't that making one people dependent on another?
i would say the dems are wrong because they think the answer is always and only more money, it is just as simplistic as the republicans.
neither party is holistic in their approach, that is my big gripe.
you said "jive" huh huh huh huh huh huh
Yeah yeah...
Personally, I like "jive monkey" myself. And... I feel ya. Subversion... its my bag.
I've been out of pocket lately. My grandpa died last week. Went to his funeral in Colorado. Also, my mom is terminal with cancer. Spent some time with her.
I'll try to get back in the loop... soon.
Keep up the rant. Love it.
many blessings...
Thanks for stopping by Mike(s).
X - sorry about your grandfather and mother. Good to hear from you.
The early church was actually more communistic than anything else.
Great point Holywriter. However, their situation (people from all over come to Jerusalem, meet the HS and end up staying in town to form new communities) brought them to a place (like in ACTS 2:42) where they HAD to depend on each other...because they had left all their stuff behind!
If I'm going to be a communist, I want it to be so focused on Jesus that I am willing VOLUNTARILY to get rid of all my stuff and learn to "interdepend" on others. I'm all for communism, (this phrase would be a great opportunity to prooftext how liberal I've become), but let's do it from the bottom up, rather than the government's way of top down processing of needs.
As a friend of mine says: "My Amen! is in the mail" on this one!
In the interest of requested brevity, I'll be long...
I have often wondered why Christians will pray that the right man get elected and then when it is the democrat everyone moans and thinks the right man didn't get the job. What? Do we not believe that our prayers are answered? I have yet to see a Christian in office, and then would/could a Christian do better?
God's candidate is Jesus and he put him into office and it is all playing out just like he said it would. It irritates me when I hear people trying to make our political issues God's issues. God's politics are feed the poor, look after the fatherless, help out the widow, love your neighbor, make disciples, don't show partiality.
I don't think we should stop voting either and exercising influence (i.e. Evangelism), but politicians and government will not save man, nor can it (Rom. 1-3).
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) "For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,on the throne of David and over his kingdom,to establish it and to uphold itwith justice and with righteousnessfrom this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. "
God's politics are feed the poor, look after the fatherless, help out the widow, love your neighbor, make disciples, don't show partiality.
Wow, preacher Will. You're really looking to get fired now...
B,
Actually, your last statement comes very close to quoting James 1:27in regard to Religion rather than politics. However, since I am learning to see a joining of politics and religion rather than the seperation our culture insists on, I am diggin' the way you say it too.
Blessings...
I'm not quite at the place to suggest not voting. But I wouldn't advise outsourcing one's subversive faith to politics. Don't expect politics to save man...
OK... i'll suggest it, quit voting. start worrying about the thing that will never help and start giving all of our attention to the one thing that will.
also, However, their situation (people from all over come to Jerusalem, meet the HS and end up staying in town to form new communities) brought them to a place (like in ACTS 2:42) where they HAD to depend on each other...because they had left all their stuff behind!
well let me share what a second century christian said about the church... and if there is among them a man that is poor and needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food.
thats a long way from pentecost and a long way from the good ol' christian nation we claim to be today! it wasn't just an acts 2 deal... we can recapture that spirit of community if we are willing.
i wonder if we are...
B,
I'm suprised. I don't know what your perception of me has been but preacher Will has always understood and preached these things, just ask Agent Dad. He will tell ya.
As for looking to get fired, ask Agent Dad to tell you about the sermon that I preached three months or less into my ministry three years ago entitled, "I Don't Work for You People".
I work and speak to please the CEO and not men.When all these others abandon me, I know that God has not. I bet you feel lonely some times too.
Preacher man - Don't take my comments too seriously. They're usually my pathetic attempts at humor.
But seriously, I'm surprised you can get away with "I don't work for you people". That's great. Don't ever take that for granted because I gather that most preaching "jobs" are about dancing to the congregation's tune and keeping up the status quo.
Keep it up.
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