Continue reading “The Politics of Kings and Prophets”
The Idolatry of Politics
The ancient people of Israel cried out, “Give us a king.” The desire for a king displeased Samuel, but Yahweh allowed Samuel to appoint a king over Israel. The desire for a king was an expression of idolatry. “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘they have rejected Me from being king over them… they have forsaken Me and served other gods’” (1 Samuel 8:5-8). The perennial temptation of humanity is to exalt human leaders to divine status. Admiration easily becomes adoration.
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A Political Gospel has Fallen from Grace
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).
Paul was deeply concerned about the believers at Galatia. Some of the leaders have disturbed the church by preaching a “distorted” gospel (1:7). The believers have deserted Christ by embracing “a different gospel” (1:6). This distorted gospel has “bewitched” the Galatian believers (3:1) to such an extent that they “have been severed from Christ,” they have “fallen from grace” (5:4). What heresy had they embraced? They were “seeking to be justified by law” (5:4). In seeking to be made righteous by the law they were distorting the Gospel of Christ.
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Why I Reject the Politics of Hate
Trump, Constantine, and the Religious Right
As we approach the inauguration of President Trump I would like to offer a few personal political and religious reflections, and confessions. As those who have followed my posts during the election are aware, I did not support Donald Trump for president. For the first time in my adult life I did not vote for President.
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The Danger of “the Other”
I’ve heard friends and other apologist for the left speak about the right’s dismissal of “the other.” The “other” is defined as anyone who is not like you. This is another way of promoting identity politics – a way of defining various people groups in terms of their culture and ethnicity. There is a very real danger in viewing any human as “the other.”
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Politics of Intoxication
Warning! If you have a thin political skin do not read further because you will be offended.
One of the three great temptations of Christ in the wilderness was to bow before the gods of this world so that he might inherit the glory of the kingdoms of this world. Jesus refused to bow. Instead, he laid down his life, was lifted high upon a cross for the powers of this world to mock, was executed and buried. So much for humanity’s desire for a new world order. This present world order will do just fine, thank you very much.
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