Dan Z wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:29 am
Seems like the sword is a good metaphor for what it means to fear government.
I fear the sword not because of what it is, but because of how it might be used (as history continues to bear witness). Used justly and prudently it can help contain evil in a fallen world (Rom 13), but used unjustly and malevolently it becomes a beastly evil (Rev 13).
I agree. And there is a DIFFERENCE between what I saw in East Germany or Russia and what I saw in West Germany or the United States. A DIFFERENCE between America under slavery or Russia before the emancipation of the serfs and modern America. A DIFFERENCE between the governments shown in the Martyr's Mirror and modern America.
And a lot of political rhetoric that riles people up by saying there is no difference. I don't think that leads to wisdom or truth. And that kind of conspiracy theory was fuel for most of the abuses of regimes mentioned in the paragraph above, stirring up hatred and fear in order to justify extremism and authoritarianism. That's what scares me. Stirring up hatred and fear in order to justify using the sword in unjust ways, without regard for truth.
Dan Z wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:29 amThe use of the sword, like the exercise of governmental coercive power, is outside of the will of Christ for his followers. However, as an observer, I regard governments like I regard the sword - hopeful that they will use their power justly, fearful that they will abuse it, and always watching with a wary eye.
If we focus on being the Kingdom of God, being salt and light, I think we wind up in the right place without necessarily getting all wrapped up in politics.
But if we quickly baptize the political talking points of a faction that stirs up hatred and fear, pretending those talking points are Christian or that people who disagree do not belong to the Kingdom of God, that's a pretty good sign that we aren't following what Jesus said and did.
Christianity is about what Jesus said and did. The Kingdom of God is central to that. Loving God first and neighbor second, serving others, living in holiness, reaching out to others as salt and light ... that's where our heart should be.
Is it biblical? Is it Christlike? Is it loving? Is it true? How can I find out?