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Church and government, mercy and justice together

Posted: Sep 14, 08 7:42pm

We know as Christians that God created both institutions, Church and government. We can find about government in Romans 13:`1 "1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God". But my question is what type of government God had in mind? And what type of Church. I mean by it, what responsibilities were assigned to each institution? My take on it is that both institutions complement each other but each one has different responsibilities. I see the Church as God's left hand side and the government His right hand side. The Church I see as the bride. So I see the Church as a female getting married with the Son according to what the Bible say. I see the Church as merciful and nurturer. But I see government as the strong hand that protect the Church especially becasue it also protect those that are not the Church. Like the Bible say that the sun comes out for just and unjust.

But I see the Church as the institution responsible to feed the hungry and also to preach the gospel to them. The problem I see is that the Church has let the institution of government to do much of the responsibilities it was intended for the Church. As a consequence government look more like a Church in many aspects and it is causing problem to the Church. What is your take on this? I will like to read well written studies on this. Go for it.

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Christian, Bible, Mercy, Church, government. justice

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10 Comments // 5 Members

Elizabeth Bunting

Posted: Sep 17, 08 1:23pm

RafaeLopez wrote:

The problem I see is that the Church has let the institution of government to do much of the responsibilities it was intended for the Church. As a consequence government look more like a Church in many aspects and it is causing problem to the Church.

The reason that governments usually fail at giving help to the needy and powerless is because the government is an institution and not a ministry. I think Christians and Christian churches can be of more effective help to the needy and powerless is because we have been called by Christ to do so - it is our ministry, our holy calling.

Lois

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RafaeLopez

Posted: Sep 17, 08 1:29pm

Elizabeth Bunting wrote:

The reason that governments usually fail at giving help to the needy and powerless is because the government is an institution and not a ministry. I think Christians and Christian churches can be of more effective help to the needy and powerless is because we have been called by Christ to do so - it is our ministry, our holy calling.

Lois

Exactly, it is the calling of the Church. But government was created by God (Romans 13) to do justice while the Church is in the Mercy ministry. Both are God's institutions. Thank you for your comment Lois.

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mterri

Posted: Sep 17, 08 6:30pm

RafaeLopez wrote:

We know as Christians that God created both institutions, Church and government. We can find about government in Romans 13:`1 "1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God". But my question is what type of government God had in mind? And what type of Church. I mean by it, what responsibilities were assigned to each institution? My take on it is that both institutions complement each other but each one has different responsibilities. I see the Church as God's left hand side and the government His right hand side. The Church I see as the bride. So I see the Church as a female getting married with the Son according to what the Bible say. I see the Church as merciful and nurturer. But I see government as the strong hand that protect the Church especially becasue it also protect those that are not the Church. Like the Bible say that the sun comes out for just and unjust.

But I see the Church as the institution responsible to feed the hungry and also to preach the gospel to them. The problem I see is that the Church has let the institution of government to do much of the responsibilities it was intended for the Church. As a consequence government look more like a Church in many aspects and it is causing problem to the Church. What is your take on this? I will like to read well written studies on this. Go for it.

I guess that I take a more simplistic view of the relationship between Church and State based on the story of Taxes for Caesar in Luke 20:20 to 26. My impression here is that Jesus was instructing us to be law abiding citizens but that's it,"give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God" and since Jesus instructed us to take care of the poor, then that's where the dividing line between Church and State is supposed to go.

As an aside to this, I've always admired the US for putting

"In God We Trust" on their money. Sure beats Caesar's government, and anyone else's right now.

And you're right because of the multi-cultural aspect of our western society, duties and responsibilities get mixed up between Church and State. People are constantly falling thru the cracks of government care though so this provides an opportunity for the Church (us) to step in and help.

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Posted: Sep 17, 08 6:30pm

Quote

We know as Christians that God created both institutions, Church and government. We can find about government in Romans 13:`1 "1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God". But my question is what type of government God had in mind? And what type of Church. I mean by it, what responsibilities were assigned to each institution? My take on it is that both institutions complement each other but each one has different responsibilities. I see the Church as God's left hand side and the government His right hand side. The Church I see as the bride. So I see the Church as a female getting married with the Son according to what the Bible say. I see the Church as merciful and nurturer. But I see government as the strong hand that protect the Church especially becasue it also protect those that are not the Church. Like the Bible say that the sun comes out for just and unjust.

But I see the Church as the institution responsible to feed the hungry and also to preach the gospel to them. The problem I see is that the Church has let the institution of government to do much of the responsibilities it was intended for the Church. As a consequence government look more like a Church in many aspects and it is causing problem to the Church. What is your take on this? I will like to read well written studies on this. Go for it.

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RafaeLopez

Posted: Sep 17, 08 8:37pm

Thanks for your input Mterri.

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Judi

Posted: Sep 17, 08 11:49pm

Along with these comments, I'd like to add that churches should stay out of politics. This is causing such a division between Christians and unbelievers, and I don't see where it needs to be that way. I think we are each responsible, as citizens, to vote and discuss our views, etc. if we want, but not as an organization. Plus, not all churches reflect our own personal views.

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RafaeLopez

Posted: Sep 18, 08 5:09am

Judi wrote:

Along with these comments, I'd like to add that churches should stay out of politics. This is causing such a division between Christians and unbelievers, and I don't see where it needs to be that way. I think we are each responsible, as citizens, to vote and discuss our views, etc. if we want, but not as an organization. Plus, not all churches reflect our own personal views.

I agree with your statements that Churches shouldnt tell people what candidates to vote or what party they should belong to. But they should be reminded that gevernment was an institution created by God and to undestand what the diferences should be between both institions. The Church is the body of Christ here on earth which make it a little different as an institution compared to the government institution.

I appreciate your clarification Judi.

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Bonpetitepoodle

Posted: Sep 18, 08 9:38pm

The bible says we are a peculiar people, we can vote and talk politics but we are held to a higher standard and expected to behave Christlike xcuse my spelling)

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