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SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics - Religion - Nairaland

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SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by NaijaNewsPapers: 7:35am On Sep 03, 2017
Recent events have raised the issue, Should the pulpit always avoid politics? It depends on what we mean by "politics;" it demeans the pulpit to use it for partisan politics. But here are ten reasons why I don't think politics and religion should (or even can) be completely separate:

1) The Word of God has something to say about all of life, beyond just the spiritual.

My long-time pastor, Dr. D. James Kennedy, once noted that the Church of Jesus Christ has always been opposed to abortion---from the very beginning. It still is.

In the last generation, abortion has become a "political" issue. Does that mean, asked Dr. Kennedy, we should now ignore it in the pulpit? No, because the Bible is pro-life.

2) The Bible itself addresses the issue of governing in different texts.

There are biblical books dealing with political rulers---1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Judges. In Genesis and in Daniel, we see godly men serving well in pagan courts, for the good of all. In Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, we hear that God has established the civil magistrate, and we are to obey the government. In Exodus, we see Moses rebuking Pharaoh for mistreating the Hebrews.

3) The Scriptures also teach that on occasion, there may be a need for civil disobedience.

When the apostles were commanded to no longer preach the gospel, Peter said that we must obey God rather than man. If there is an either/or, then civil disobedience can be the right path. Many early Christians died for Christ rather than worship the emperor, clearly a false god.

4) Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Nature abhors a vacuum. Someone will be involved in politics. Why should we abandon our role as citizens? According to Jesus, we have a positive duty to render certain obligation to the state.

5) When the Church does not speak out, evil can fill that void.

Silence in the face of evil can signal assent. We hold up those Christians who went against Hitler and the Nazis as heroes---not the millions who acquiesced to them.

The December 23, 1940 TIME Magazine article called, Religion: German Martyrs, opens: "Not you, Herr Hitler, but God is my Führer. These defiant words of Pastor Martin Niemoller were echoed by millions of Germans. And Hitler raged: 'It is Niemoller or I.'"

6) The Church is called to be salt and light. Salt preserves and prevents decay.

Christians in society should help prevent corruption. As goes the pulpit, so goes the nation.

7) We pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

That doesn't mean we should try and force the kingdom of God by use of the sword. When "Christians" did that in times past, we are still apologizing for it, as in the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Salem Witchcraft trials. But it does mean that Christians can apply biblical principles to government that result in good for all of us. And to be sure, someone's morality is always being legislated. It is not a question of "if," but of "what" and of "whose."

cool Christians bless everybody when we properly apply our faith to politics.

Our Constitution was an outgrowth of the biblical concept of covenant. University of Houston Professor Dr. Donald S. Lutz, author of The Origins of American Constitutionalism, said that Americans "invented modern Constitutionalism and bequeathed it to the world." And where did we get it? Says Lutz: "The American constitutional tradition derives in much of its form and content from the Judeo-Christian tradition as interpreted by the radical Protestant sects to which belonged so many of the original European settlers in British North America."

9) Politics may be the calling of some in the congregation. Therefore, ministers should encourage political involvement that is motivated by the desire to serve.

When the Member of Parliament William Wilberforce was converted in the 1780s, he sought counsel from Rev. John Newton, an ex-slave-trader. Should he leave politics and pursue the ministry? Newton advised him to stay because maybe God could use him where he was.

Wilberforce's crusade to free the slaves in the British Empire took him 50 years and was a direct outgrowth of his faith in Christ. I shudder to think if one of today's "no politics" ministers had counseled the young reborn Wilberforce. We might still have legal slavery in the Western world.

10) Religion and morality are "indispensable supports to our political prosperity."

So said Washington in his Farewell Address. John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." This was in a day when about 99% of the Americans were professing Christians. And on it goes.

I remember when I once interviewed former Secretary of Education William Bennett, who said, "Does anybody really have a worry that the United States is becoming overly pious? That our young people have dedicated too much of their lives to prayer, that teenagers in this country are preoccupied with thoughts of eternity?" In short, our problem today is not too much Christian influence on society, but not enough.

MORE: http://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2017/09/see-10-main-reasons-why-church-should.html

[img]https://1.bp..com/-F3HCNSWMP1U/Wauhm3uZsEI/AAAAAAAAFjs/6BzyxHF1Mmwmlm2skvl7cgTFRfOFFStbwCLcBGAs/s640/Religion-and-Politics.jpg[/img]

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by k4kings(m): 7:39am On Sep 03, 2017
The church cannot abandon politics cause it has to do with influence; power; actions; policies. So the both of them re interwoven. .. Politics has come to stay in d church but let the church be careful about the politicians not the politics

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by veekid(m): 7:39am On Sep 03, 2017
Buhari sef
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Khaliyah(m): 7:39am On Sep 03, 2017
Nice one
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by vizkiz: 7:39am On Sep 03, 2017
Well some pastors are now basically into politics
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Histrings08(m): 7:39am On Sep 03, 2017
Good
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by stlarry001(m): 7:40am On Sep 03, 2017
good
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by fisfat(m): 7:42am On Sep 03, 2017
Why is it that it's only sunday they post alo of Christian threads on nairaland?

1 Like

Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Ololanla: 7:43am On Sep 03, 2017
Yes o
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Franco93: 7:45am On Sep 03, 2017
If Religion abandon politics for the corrupt ones, the corrupt ones will end up influencing the church politically.

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by MichaelUweh(m): 7:50am On Sep 03, 2017
Lovely
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by maximunimpact(m): 7:52am On Sep 03, 2017
@op thanks for turning bible upside down. I used to think Christianity means living like Christ, but today's version of worship is teaching and indoctrinating everything Christ stood against. When the crowd gathered to declare Jesus king of the jews, he declined saying that his kingdom is not of this world, if Christians follow Christ's example of neutrality in politics, were is the op getting his message from? obviously this message is from the father of all liars, Satan himself!

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Emmafranciss: 7:53am On Sep 03, 2017
... What i hate is when the so called Christians join politics, get voted into office and begin to siphon money. Speaks bad about the body of Christ.

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by tunjijones(m): 7:56am On Sep 03, 2017
That is why a pastor at rccg is now the vice president. Anybody that goes into politics in Nigeria be it a pastor or imam wld get his hand stained with blood.

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by BillionDollars(m): 7:57am On Sep 03, 2017
Interesting
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by steveyoungwealth: 8:02am On Sep 03, 2017
OK
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Zodiac61(m): 8:03am On Sep 03, 2017
There is no problem with the church (or indeed the mosque) getting involved in politics, as long as they also agree that it is moral for the church to pay taxes.

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by slimmax: 8:07am On Sep 03, 2017
Really, what happened to 1 Th 4.11
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Mujtahida: 8:22am On Sep 03, 2017
Did Christ do politics? In fact he stubbornly avoided any sort of political entanglement.
Were the first Disciples and Apostles into politics?
What about the Church Fathers, Tertullian, Augustine, Clement of Alexandria etc

Was Martin Luther into politics or Spurgeon or Finney, or George Fox or the Wesley Brothers?

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by jrerico1(m): 8:22am On Sep 03, 2017
The scam rate of churches in Africa is too much..

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by AreaFada2: 8:23am On Sep 03, 2017
Zodiac61:
There is no problem with the church (or indeed the mosque) getting involved in politics, as long as they also agree that it is moral for the church to pay taxes.
Shebi na giving Caesar's to Caesar. grin cheesy

Op forgot that we are to follow the examples of early Christians. Quoting from Abraham or Moses or Lot are not that helpful. Jesus can to straighten things up.

Obeying God before man/govt where both clash in demand from you is not politics. In fact it is in fact freedom from it.
Christianity does not want to antagonise the world just for the heck of it. But to allow order, peace and tranquillity reign.
We are enjoined in Matt 5:9 to make peace with the world that we may be "blessed and be called children of God". Except where the world wants us to disobey God.
Govt allows worldly governments to exist. But it does not mean he approves of all things they do. Because of this ambiguity, we should ideally not be part of it.
But God is not forcing anyone be or not to be in politics. Choices and judgement are very personal.

May God guide us aright.
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Funnyguy83: 8:25am On Sep 03, 2017
but wait , which CHURCH are you referring to ? hope its THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH ( Catholic Church ) cos we are the originators of Politics and we owns it .am very proud of been a Catholic member.
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Hier(m): 8:25am On Sep 03, 2017
What I will say is that, we need more good people who will run this country as it would please God, why are you light when you are threatened by darkness, your light is meant to cast out darkness and neutralize darkness. Yea, people like Esther, Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah played key role in politics, even Elisha would tell the king the best strategy to employ in battle, no wonder David will enquire from the Lord, before embarking on any war.
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by biafratwo: 8:32am On Sep 03, 2017
As a matter of fact, if I am to become a pastor, all members will be mandated to participate in politics. It would be the first criteria for becoming a member of my church.
If Christians don't think the politicians are not getting it right, then they should get ready to set things right themselves.
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by spartan117(m): 8:37am On Sep 03, 2017
Totally true politics influences d church, so d church should actively seek to influence politics
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by KingBish(f): 8:46am On Sep 03, 2017
No truer words have been said
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Nobody: 8:52am On Sep 03, 2017
Welcome to the Middle Ages!

Let the church get involved and let them start burning people again and let them conquer and colonize all continents in the name of Jesus. Amen.

SMH

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by isaacsegun(m): 8:53am On Sep 03, 2017
maximunimpact:
@op thanks for turning bible upside down. I used to think Christianity means living like Christ, but today's version of worship is teaching and indoctrinating everything Christ stood against. When the crowd gathered to declare Jesus king of the jews, he declined saying that his kingdom is not of this world, if Christians follow Christ's example of neutrality in politics, were is the op getting his message from? obviously this message is from the father of all liars, Satan himself!

we have sighted him/her.
...na them(Jehovah withness)
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by rottennaija(m): 8:55am On Sep 03, 2017
maximunimpact:
@op thanks for turning bible upside down. I used to think Christianity means living like Christ, but today's version of worship is teaching and indoctrinating everything Christ stood against. When the crowd gathered to declare Jesus king of the jews, he declined saying that his kingdom is not of this world, if Christians follow Christ's example of neutrality in politics, were is the op getting his message from? obviously this message is from the father of all liars, Satan himself!

That's a one-sided reasoning.

And yet, Christ never said his disciples cannot be in place of government, did he?

Christ didn't come for any such governmental potisions. The Bible gave the primary reason for his coming in Jn 3:16. Which was to offer hope, salvation to any that puts faith in him.

Going into government would meant him abondoning his reason for coming.

Jesus has often used the words, "rulers, government, kingdom, kings' many times in the Bible. Would it have been hard for him to say, 'my disciples cannot be in government or be rulers'? At least he knew the words.

Jesus clearly told his disciples," you are not part of the world"(Jn 15:19). What did the word "world" mean?

The Bible speaks of friendship with the world (James 4:4), in this case, the context dealth with adultery, it speaks of dying in respect to the world's ways of doing things (Col 2:20), which had to do with wayward way of life; also says we should keep our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Col 3:2,5) which had to do with sins.

The question is, what context did Jesus use the expression "you are not part of the world"? It has to do with a Christian way of life, a life that does not dominate others, that see others are equals or friends (Jn 15:15), a way of life that one can give his life for another, being his friend, a way of life that becomes like the light of the world, that others learn from. A way of life that will lead to you being persecuted and killed etc.


Jesus had brought a new way of worship to the then world, a way which many would frown on and will lead to their persecution. The world never referred to government or rulership. It is only your religion (I guess Jehovah's Witnesses, because of your continuous use of the term neutrality) that interpret the text to mean government or rulership, ignoring the context and the use of the expression 'world' in other verses of the Bible.

So, I can say, that it's rather you who has turn God's word upside down.

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Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by Luckylife(m): 8:59am On Sep 03, 2017
Nice piece all Christians need to read this .
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by omoikea(m): 9:01am On Sep 03, 2017
at what point does one fight?
Re: SEE 10 Main Reasons Why The Church Should Not Abandon Politics by maximunimpact(m): 9:02am On Sep 03, 2017
rottennaija:


That's a one-sided reasoning.

And yet, Christ never said his disciples cannot be in place of government, did he?

Christ didn't come for any such governmental potisions. The Bible gave the primary reason for his coming in Jn 3:16. Which was to offer hope, salvation to any that puts faith in him.

Going into government would have been him abondoning his reason for coming.

Jesus has often used the words, "rulers


Can you mention any Christ's apostle that took up political office?

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