"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Although true, the problem is with the interpretation of just exactly how this is carried through to fruition. There are 32,000 denominations who all wish to give God primary obedience........and the question is why is this the case.
But see the Book of Daniel. Christians are not required to take on the state when it promulgates evil laws that are contrary to God’s laws. That is an individual choice. We must simply stand straight when told to bow to an idol, or pray in our homes even if barred from doing so by the government. We are not required to announce that we are standing straight or praying, or draw the attention of the state to our actions, or politically challenge the state if doing so martyrs or harms us. My reading of Daniel is also that we do not lie when the state notices our actions, but we explain why, even if that does cause us to risk being martyred or punished.
However, in none of the biblical accounts of heroes obeying God rather than man is there any hint that they claimed to be immune from punishment by man for that reason.
The whole point of civil disobedience is that one willingly accepts the punishment for breaking the law.
However, in none of the biblical accounts of heroes obeying God rather than man is there any hint that they claimed to be immune from punishment by man for that reason.
The whole point of civil disobedience is that one willingly accepts the prescribed punishment for breaking the law.
Similarly only a tyrannical government seeks to disarm its citizens. Under such a system a man has an obligation to NOT obey such laws and a free man will obey the natural law which says to arm himself against tyranny and the brutality of other men. Libs who say we should repeal the Second Amendment do not understand that it is not a right GIVEN by government, it is a natural right contradicted only by tyrannous government and not to be obeyed by men who by Divine Right are free.
I wonder how Americans would take to the occupation of their homeland.
And this exact line is usually used (here on FR, plenty) to justify every kind of tax, including income tax. Because conveniently, that is exactly the context of the story.
Oh, there are so many ways Christians use Christ to justify their behavior!
IMHO, the article fails to convey the Word as intended.
Our Lord and Savior responded to those queries with a response, not a reaction.
Those who place national government above the Plan of God attempt to counterfeit His Paradise with a cosmic system of order independent of God.
The issue of sin as an impediment to a relationship between God and man was settled on the Cross as the first coming neared its completion. The issue of good and evil still has not been settled for the angelic domain.
The impediment of sin for man to have a relationship with God is settled in a moment’s notice by simply turning back to God and confessing any and all known and unknown sins by 1st John 1:9.
Good and evil must be resolved over time.
All authority is granted by God. Accordingly, believers are instructed to obey all authority (legitimate authority, not illegitimate authority), because God has granted it directly and indirectly.
There are many tests ongoing to prove without doubt that any plan independent of God will fail in the long term to produce perfect justice and perfect righteousness.
When the question was placed to our Lord and Savior as to which authority was to be obeyed, the answer was simple. By giving to God what is His, we remain obedient to legitimate authorty and by giving to Caesar what was his, we also obey legitimate authority. Caesar then becomes wholly accountable to God for his actions and decisions within the authority granted him by God. Where Caesar chooses to act independently of God, then the failures of that system of government will ultimately become evidence for all of creation to witness as testimony against any appeals trial of the Adversary.
On the contrary, there are many believers who fall into the trap of thinking that by substituting an emphasis on legitimate behavior will afford them a worldly system of justice and righteousness, thereby improving the life they live, creating a counterfeit paradise on earth prior to His return and His Kingdom.
National governance is one of four known divinely established institutions for believer and unbeliever alike, which if they obey the legitimate authority within those institutions may live in freedom with productive lives. Our Lord simply respected both the divinely established institution of national governance, while also remaining in faith with the Father.
I don’t observe so much where civil disobedience is promoted in Scripture. Obedience to legitimate authority is mandated, which if viewed from a worldly perspective, independent of God, might be interpreted as civil disobedience.
Take for example when our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus was being placed under an illegitimate trial by Pilate and the chief priests. In Matt 27:11-15, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:3-6, and even in John 18, we have marvelous testimony by our Lord and Savior as to how to respond, not react, to worldly pressures which might be used to tempt us to step out of faith from Him.
In each of these cases, our Lord was not disobeident to legitimate authority, but instead respected the authority given to those who attempted to judge Him. Note also, that the strength of volition of the believer doesn’t entail the believer must control events. Instead, by remaining in faith through Christ in all things, God does all the work and provides for His loved ones. Even unto death, He remains just and righteous. There have been crowns established for his believers who persevere in faith through Him to be given us at the bema seat. For every cursing, there is a blessing for those who remain in faith through Him.
At what point do the state’s laws (like the over 50% taxation we are now forced to pay at the point of a gun) become evil and in conflict with God’s law?
If Ceasar says we should pay 95% taxes, are Christians to submit?