Can Politicians be Followers of Jesus?

[Ernie]

I think imposing labels of "right" or "left" upon people groups during the time of Christ is imposing American politics upon the situation that actually doesn't fit that time frame in history. Likely what we classify as "conservative" vs "liberal" was completely different during that time.

But, for illustration purposes I suppose you can make it work...somewhat...its just not a 1 for 1 comparison across the board.

Fair enough.

[Ernie]

I believe our witness will be much more effective if we do not appear political as we attempt to draw Christianity back to a clear distinction between Jesus' Kingdom and earthly kingdoms.

And while I like the sounds of this, I am suggesting that Jesus and the early church leaders appeared political to those around them. And I am not sure there is much advantage in trying to keep from appearing political. When people do so, they limit what they can speak about and I am not sure that is a good thing.

[Ernie]

Here is a question that I believe will help me understand what you mean by "calling out". Would you be comfortable calling out Trump, Biden, Byron Donalds..., the immigration policies Trump is implementing, etc. in a Sunday sermon?

Not at all. I think Sunday gatherings should focus on edification, encouragement, building up the kingdom of God.

I think "calling out" the actions of civil leaders, political leaders, pundits, and Christians who are supporting political movements should be done in town squares, by the side of the road, in personal conversations, in newspapers and books, blogs, and of course on Mennonet.

And there are settings outside of church where I think it is not wise to call out the above folks as well.

I think it takes discernment to know what places it is appropriate to call out the actions of others.

I feel the same way about calling out sins that the Bible refers to, "For it is shameful even to mention the things being done by them in secret." Eph. 5:12

There is a time to say things and time not to say things as one wise man once indicated.

[JohnH]

Here is a question that I believe will help me understand what you mean by "calling out". Would you be comfortable calling out Trump, Biden, Byron Donalds..., the immigration policies Trump is implementing, etc. in a Sunday sermon?

Not at all. I think Sunday gatherings should focus on edification, encouragement, building up the kingdom of God.

I think "calling out" the actions of civil leaders, political leaders, pundits, and Christians who are supporting political movements should be done in town squares, by the side of the road, in personal conversations, in newspapers and books, blogs, and of course on Mennonet.

And there are settings outside of church where I think it is not wise to call out the above folks as well.

I think it takes discernment to know what places it is appropriate to call out the actions of others.

I feel the same way about calling out sins that the Bible refers to, "For it is shameful even to mention the things being done by them in secret." Eph. 5:12

There is a time to say things and time not to say things as one wise man once indicated.

So one set of behavior for Sunday morning and another for the rest of the week?

[GaryK]

I do wonder what Jesus would have to say to politicized churches in America today.

You can't really have politicized churches without politicized individuals. The Church is made of of individuals who have decided to follow Jesus.

I wish the stark difference between the natures of the two kingdoms would be much more emphasized today than it is. The watered down and hybridized view of the Church that is so evident today has been a long time in the making.

[barnhart]

I think imposing labels of "right" or "left" upon people groups during the time of Christ is imposing American politics upon the situation that actually doesn't fit that time frame in history. Likely what we classify as "conservative" vs "liberal" was completely different during that time.

But, for illustration purposes I suppose you can make it work...somewhat...its just not a 1 for 1 comparison across the board.

Fair enough.

The labels "right" and "left" don't even mean what they did when I was a boy much less what they denoted in the 19th century when we first started using them.

[GaryK]

I believe our witness will be much more effective if we do not appear political as we attempt to draw Christianity back to a clear distinction between Jesus' Kingdom and earthly kingdoms.

And while I like the sounds of this, I am suggesting that Jesus and the early church leaders appeared political to those around them. And I am not sure there is much advantage in trying to keep from appearing political. When people do so, they limit what they can speak about and I am not sure that is a good thing.

I believe the example of Jesus answering the gotcha question about paying taxes proves there is a true 3rd way, evidenced by the speechlessness of those asking the question. I don't think it appeared to offer a new political view to them but rather a NEW way of life that honored God without getting "politically" involved in debating the tax policies implemented by the worldly government at the time.

[GaryK]

Here is a question that I believe will help me understand what you mean by "calling out". Would you be comfortable calling out Trump, Biden, Byron Donalds..., the immigration policies Trump is implementing, etc. in a Sunday sermon?

Not at all. I think Sunday gatherings should focus on edification, encouragement, building up the kingdom of God.

I think "calling out" the actions of civil leaders, political leaders, pundits, and Christians who are supporting political movements should be done in town squares, by the side of the road, in personal conversations, in newspapers and books, blogs, and of course on Mennonet.

And there are settings outside of church where I think it is not wise to call out the above folks as well.

I think it takes discernment to know what places it is appropriate to call out the actions of others.

I feel the same way about calling out sins that the Bible refers to, "For it is shameful even to mention the things being done by them in secret." Eph. 5:12

There is a time to say things and time not to say things as one wise man once indicated.

This is a bit confusing to me. Why would it not be appropriate to publicly say on Sunday what is appropriate to publicly say in the town square the rest of the week? I'm not sure I see examples of this difference in the way Jesus and the early church lived.

[justme]

Because as i understand it, sunday morning worship service is to worship and glorify God.
So it is not advised to hijack an event specifically organized for one purpose. I mean, we already do that on mn threads, its no wonder folks think it would be ok to do it in real life too.

[JohnH]

Because as i understand it, sunday morning worship service is to worship and glorify God.
So it is not advised to hijack an event specifically organized for one purpose. I mean, we already do that on mn threads, its no wonder folks think it would be ok to do it in real life too.

Isn’t the rest of the week also to worship and glorify God?