Public opinion is what got him nailed to that cross.

If He were to show up here in the flesh today, the same thing (different method, maybe) would happen.

Excellent post.

Thanks.

I was with Matt all the way until he throws in his Christians-stay-out-of-politics rouse. Is politics only for non-Christians? Political relationships are one way believers get out of their church walls and engage with the world while not being of it. The American church has serious problems based on opinions of men, specially the opinions of the specially trained experts and their chief Bible lecturers.

"If you desire to live like Jesus, it’ll probably be pretty lonely sometimes."

I know what Matt is saying here since I have made breaks on current opinion. When you give up on men's opinions you are no longer looking for their approval. You no longer see them as those who give you a sense of community. God leads you to others who recognize true brotherliness with zero positional posturing.

Good point, unless we take the application to be "let's all turn to the left on issues" as the Emergents have been saying. How about some non-political applications? The church should not cave in to the acceptance of homosexuality being heavily promoted by the world, or to making "designer churches" crafted to appeal to the narrow tastes of age-specific target groups. We should preach Christ crucified rather than focusing on feel-good pop psychology and motivational talks. These are clearly compromises with public opinion. A Christian getting involved in political activism may or may not be such a compromise.

Jesus certainly didn't need public opinion... he spoke and acted against it in many cases... which is to your point. He led and was divinely inspired. However, social media is a tool - like many other tools - that can help us share His words and message. Why wouldn't a church, leader or just a Christ follower use tools that include public opinion. There is faith in a mission or cause that God has put on our hearts but at the same time we can get better but by learning and growing and some of that include things like public opinion. In my opinion, that public opinion helps us fine-tune the execution of the plan that God has formed for us and that plan is built upon our faith on Him.

"Is politics only for non-Christians?"

Yes.

While I believe almost all agree (Christians and non-Christians alike) that social media is "just a tool," nevertheless it's quite a powerful tool to use (or misuse) in the work or ministry that you do. Take Facebook, for example: both my wife and I maintain a daily devotional-cum-bible study postings TARGETED (there's that word again) at our believer friends and their friends, as well as those who work in non-Christian countries. Our rationale is: Who knows what good these posts can have on those who are reading them?
Like Paul, we subscribe to the idea that we just preach the gospel "and Christ crucified," and the rest will be done by the Holy Spirit!
Since social media is a 21st century tool (perhaps in the same way that Paul's letters to the churches were in the first century), then we're for it 100%!

Ayiayar, good point. It is possible to make use of social media, as you say, merely as another communication tool and use it toward a good end. This post addresses the influence of social media as thermometers of public opinion, which is something different. I agree public opinion is not legitimately "Lord" of anyone who calls himself a Christian. Anyone who is overly influenced by social media in this latter sense who wants to live for Christ should instead avoid it and "flee temptation."

Sheer, can you elaborate on your comment? Do you see a problem with a Christian participating in local gov't to serve and better his community? Do you believe Christians should exercise their rights of citizenship and vote or hold state or federal office?

I think it is a huge temptation (especially in our culture right now) for Christians to idolize the political process as the only real means they have for maintaining an influence in society. That, it seems to me, in light of many Scriptures, is grossly misguided. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal . . ." (2 Cor. 10:4) is one verse that comes to mind.

There is a difference, it seems to me, between engaging the political process as one means among many of having a godly influence in society, and becoming obsessed with having political power. Having influence in society is not the main point of our Christian life, but rather being in communion with Christ (which has often meant eschewing political power and being willing to become one of the disenfranchised in society--this was certainly true for the earliest Christians). There is only "one thing needful," according to Jesus, and all else flows from that. The Holy Spirit is the One who is in charge of how and when we will influence our society and "we can do nothing" unless we "abide in [Him]" (John 15).

"Sheer, can you elaborate on your comment?"

Yes.
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"Do you see a problem with a Christian participating in local gov't to serve and better his community?"

Yes, and I will use your words to explain my reasoning...

"I think it is a huge temptation (especially in our culture right now) for Christians to idolize the political process as the only real means they have for maintaining an influence in society."
________________________________________________________
"Do you believe Christians should exercise their rights of citizenship and vote or hold state or federal office?"

No, and why we shouldn't, again, using your words to explain my reasoning...

"...becoming obsessed with having political power. Having influence in society is not the main point of our Christian life...
________________________________________________________

So with that...our current public servants version of "Christianity" is little more than the opposite side coin of Islamic Iran...the names are different, but the attitude is the same.

So, with that, some history...every tyrant in recorded history didn't start off as tyrannical...no...they started off as benevolent, good, wholesome, decent, and...godly.

And then, inexplicably, the whole thing gets flushed, and the benevolence turns cruel, heartless, depraved, and murderous.

So, for me, I see as a current trend in America's very public forum of :::cough::: "Christianity" :::cough::: has decided to skip the "starting off as benevolent," blow by being cruel, aced heartlessness, and just dove headlong into depraved.

And considering the blowhards penchants to talk about "final solutions" to persons not conforming to their version of Christianity...I'll just rely on historical record and know what the next step is in the devolution of their behavior.

So, all that considered...the following is my opinion...

I will go out of my way to work against any Christian running for political office.

Sheerahkahn, what do you do with the Biblical examples of Joseph and Daniel, both followers of the true God, and men of integrity, who held positions of political power? I agree that the temptation to abuse political power is real, and even the norm among "Christian" politicians. But seeing as how God has granted men political power in the past--NOT to enforce a certain agenda, but to be used by God for whatever purpose he may have in mind--is it not possible that the same God could do the same thing today? Wouldn't it be wiser, rather than having a blanket policy of working against ANY Christian running for political office, instead to discern each candidate individually, lest by our well-intentioned zeal we may, as Gamaliel said, be found fighting against God?

In John 4:34, Jesus said: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." People miss it when they try to advance their individual cause rather than trying to do the will of the Father. If you are focused on doing the ministry of reconciliation and pleasing only the Father, there is no need for any manipulation or politicking.

"Wouldn't it be wiser, rather than having a blanket policy of working against ANY Christian running for political office, instead to discern each candidate individually, lest by our well-intentioned zeal we may, as Gamaliel said, be found fighting against God?"

That's just it...every self-proclaimed Christian who ran as being "Christian" said, quite proudly, that G-d had told them to run for office.

Therefore, with limited proof texts from the bible, and a preponderance, if not an over-abundance of historical anecdotes and maddeningly evidence of why Christians should never be allowed near any form of political office...I think I'm pretty safe in my opposition to any American Christian running for Political office without running afoul of Gamaliel's caution.

This is the anonymous from Sept. 28. I don't know if the anonymous from Sept. 29 was actually Sheerahkahn, or not. But here's my response:

Joseph and Daniel aren't proof texts. They are Biblical cases of men that God entrusted with political power. I will grant you that such cases are the rare exception instead of the rule. But we can't just simply dismiss them as "proof texts." They are there in the Bible. Their political involvement had a part in God's purpose.

Yes, every self-proclaimed Christian who has run for office claims God told them to run. Yes, it is virtually certain that they are mistaken at best, or outright lying at worst. But again, I think it is wiser to determine that by judging each candidate on their own merits, rather than by simply using a blanket policy. Such a policy comes off to me as a lazy alternative to the hard work of discernment.

You feel safe in opposing any American Christian running for political office. Fair enough. God alone will judge. Fortunately, if God does decide to entrust someone with political power, as has been shown he has done so in the past, he will make it come about with or without your support or mine.

Nationwide our christian community is forgetting the things i believe are the most important to remember in the Bible. All sin is created equal, and love your enemies. When we have politicians taking stances that to someone who doesn't worship the way we do are looked at as ratical there is always push back.

EX: Mitt Romney said if he were elected he would ban all abortions. And when someone asks us why is abortion wrong and we say God says it is wrong or every life is sacred, it doesn't register becaue christ hasn't touched their hearts. We need to change our families, our communities, our states then our country.

Changing heart from the inside out is the only way we will avoid losing everything that has been gained in America for Christianity.

If we attempt to change things from the outside in with laws and forcing our beliefs on people it will only breed bitterness. Bitterness toward God his church and his followers.

So while it is necessary for us to have a political precense it should be for defensive purposes, ensuring our rights are not infringed but still allowing other to make the decisions we know to be wrong. We cannot learn with out mistakes. God gave us the ability to trangress him, we have no right to try and take that away.

Imagine a world where the laws were all in line with the bible 100%. It would be horrible everyone would b going through the motions. Obeying the law to avoid jail time, not because they agree with the laws.

I am sick of seeing people standing in front of abortion clinics heceling because they are disgusted, or people handing outfliers at the davinci code release. These things alienate us.

I am not saying compromise your beliefs. i am saying realize that you have to be accepting of others beliefs before yours will be appealing to them.

And always remember, all sin is created equal. God is just as hurt when you lie to your spouse of have a lustful thought or whatever it may be, we all sin, as he is when two homosexuals get married, when a baby is aborted.

Nationwide our christian community is forgetting the things i believe are the most important to remember in the Bible. All sin is created equal, and love your enemies. When we have politicians taking stances that to someone who doesn't worship the way we do are looked at as ratical there is always push back.

EX: Mitt Romney said if he were elected he would ban all abortions. And when someone asks us why is abortion wrong and we say God says it is wrong or every life is sacred, it doesn't register becaue christ hasn't touched their hearts. We need to change our families, our communities, our states then our country.

Changing heart from the inside out is the only way we will avoid losing everything that has been gained in America for Christianity.

If we attempt to change things from the outside in with laws and forcing our beliefs on people it will only breed bitterness. Bitterness toward God his church and his followers.

So while it is necessary for us to have a political precense it should be for defensive purposes, ensuring our rights are not infringed but still allowing other to make the decisions we know to be wrong. We cannot learn with out mistakes. God gave us the ability to trangress him, we have no right to try and take that away.

Imagine a world where the laws were all in line with the bible 100%. It would be horrible everyone would b going through the motions. Obeying the law to avoid jail time, not because they agree with the laws.

I am sick of seeing people standing in front of abortion clinics heceling because they are disgusted, or people handing outfliers at the davinci code release. These things alienate us.

I am not saying compromise your beliefs. i am saying realize that you have to be accepting of others beliefs before yours will be appealing to them.

And always remember, all sin is created equal. God is just as hurt when you lie to your spouse of have a lustful thought or whatever it may be, we all sin, as he is when two homosexuals get married, when a baby is aborted.