Sudsy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 22, 2023 12:06 pm
Regarding the link I provided above. Thoughts on this being an example we should follow ?
It begins -
Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Christ. He had the right to rule over the entire nation of Israel. However, when we look at the public ministry of Jesus, we find that he avoided any involvement in the current political issues of his day.
I suspect many here disagree.
The article posted has a pretty shallow view of things. It considers the current political issues of today and defines "political issues" through that lens, and then concludes that Jesus "did not engage with political issues of his day."
The best approach is to understand what the political issues of HIS day were, and see if (or rather HOW) he approached them. Understanding also that "politics" is essentially "Collections of people colliding, colluding, and combatting in order to solve collective problems." There are problems we solve as individuals or families, but once we get into the weeds of issues that must be addressed on a larger scale, that is the moment "politics" happens. How each problem is addressed is a "political issue".
The political issues of the day were mainly twofold:
(1)
Interpeting the "Law and the Prophets"
(2)
Relating to Rome
Some would add another question, related to both of these:
(3)"How and when is the promised Kingdom restored to Israel?"
The four main mindsets of the time in relation to these 2 questions were 4 distinct people groups:
(1) The Pharisees
(2) The Saducees
(3)The Zealots
(4) The Essenes
The first of the political questions is the Jewish people collectively wrestling with their identity, how they should relate to God, and asking the collective question "how then should we live?" They turn to the old Testament writings (which is what is meant by the phrase "the law and the prophets," or sometimes "the law"), and interpret them to decide what God wills for His people in this time and place (under Roman rule). Some argued for widespread strict adherence to the law (Pharisees), some for personal and intentional communal strict adherence to the law (Essenes), and some argued for a looser interpretation that didn't prescribe many specifics (Saducees).
The second question specifically addresses what should be done about the main barrier to the Kingdom returning to Israel: Rome. Some argued for compliance (Saducees), some for animosity (Zealots), and some for disinterested separation (Essenes).
Jesus obviously did address the political issues of his day. More accurate than "He
didn't address them" is "He addressed them in surprising and supernatural ways." His interpretation of "the law and the prophets" makes up the bulk of the Sermon on the Mount. His talk of the Kingdom was the focal point of his gospel. His posture towards Rome is addressed sporadically in his words, but most powerfully in his actions (especially his crucifixion) and in the actions of his apostles.