Posted on 08/17/2006 8:21:56 PM PDT by xzins
First of all I'm not sure I understood the question. But if you mean does the government have concurrent "jurisdiction" with God in matters of both politics and religion, I think I would have to refer you to Romans Chapter 13, which states that all government power (whether for good or evil) is ordained of by God. So the answer is yes. Inasmuch as the government has any power at all, it is granted to it by God.
And as far as "advisory jurisdiction" if that means does the president have the power to make recommendations regarding corporate prayer or corporate fasting, I'd have to say yes. If the president stands before the American people and requests that they join him in fasting or prayer, then I'd have to say that the president could not have made the request if it had not been ordained by God.
But again, we beat this horse 'til it died. I say let it rest in peace.
No. But if it did, then it would not have that power unless it was granted to it by God.
Do you deny that the Bible teaches such a concept?
The United States Government does not legally have power over religion. That is as God has willed it. But, for instance, in Iran and Saudi Arabia the government does have power over religion. In England the government has power over religion inasmuch as they have a state Church, however the government chooses not to exercise that power.
Whatever power any of those governments have, they would not have if it were not granted unto them by God.
Do you deny that? Is God not sovereign?
Really? You don't think that God has a hand in the powers that governments have over people? Do you think that the United States of America would even exist if it were in contradiction to God's will?
I further hold that civil government can have no sway whatsoever over the duty which we owe to our Creator.
On an individual basis that is true. But, for instance, in Saudi Arabia the government has the power to kill you if you preach the gospel. In that sense they have a lot of "sway" in regard to the duty you owe to your creator, don't they? If you don't believe it, go to Saudi Arabia and preach the gospel and then, after you are arrested, go ahead and make the claim that Saudi Arabia does not have the "power" to behead you.
Indeed it could. And sometimes Governments do speak for God. Did not God grant governmental authority to Moses? Did not Moses speak for God?
Did Pontius Pilate have authorization from God to crucify Jesus? Could Pontius Pilate have had that power unless it was given to him by God?
Does Saudi Arabia have the power to persecute Christians? Would they have that power unless it were granted unto them by God?
Do you not believe that God has, in one way or another, ordained all that comes to pass? Your handle suggests you are a "Genuine Christian". Is it not essential Christian doctrine to believe that in all things God is in control? Or are there some things that are wholly outside of God's control?
Did Pontius Pilate have authorization from God to crucify Jesus? Could Pontius Pilate have had that power unless it was given to him by God?
Does Saudi Arabia have the power to persecute Christians? Would they have that power unless it were granted unto them by God?
Do you not believe that God has, in one way or another, ordained all that comes to pass? Your handle suggests you are a "Genuine Christian". Is it not essential Christian doctrine to believe that in all things God is in control? Or are there some things that are wholly outside of God's control?
ROFL!
Are you sure you are a "Genuine Christian" Conservative?
Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (John 19:10-11 KJV)
Does Saudi Arabia have the power to persecute Christians? Would they have that power unless it were granted unto them by God?
Do you not believe that God has, in one way or another, ordained all that comes to pass? Your handle suggests you are a "Genuine Christian". Is it not essential Christian doctrine to believe that in all things God is in control? Or are there some things that are wholly outside of God's control?
That may be true, but he did have the God-given power and authority to crucify him as is witnessed by the fact that he did crucify him.
The fact is that God specifically and sovereignly placed Pilate in the position of Governor of Judea and God sovereignly gave Pilate the authority to crucify Christ. If God had not given him the power and authority to crucify Christ, then Christ would not have been crucified.
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (John 19:10-11 KJV)
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