Christians and Politics

[Dill]

(01-23-2023, 06:39 AM)guyofthetiger Wrote: I have observed things in politics that make me uncomfortable. Jesus never joined any government or political party. I understand leading a group of people is difficult. Christians can't even agree among themselves yet alone get involved in politics. However, I have a civic duty to vote and honor our government regardless of who is in charge because God places the leaders there. It is hard to swallow government decisions against your beliefs and worse yet the Bible. I personally just wish everyone can get along with respect. The media likes to stir up trouble for ratings.

Does God guide voters then? He is the one who really chooses our leaders?

In Medieval, feudal Europe, the Catholic church (e.g., theological like Aquinas) argued that subjects of a lawful king had no right to rebel. Since God placed the leaders there, rebels would be rebelling against God himself.  If the king burns your home and rapes your daughter, you just have to suck it up.  Feudal lords were 100% behind this doctrine. Aquinas did allow people could depose someone they (not God) had placed in power; Democracy was an oddity in Medieval Europe though.

It took a number of religious wars over bad leaders to finally get past this submission to secular authority. But I think it still lingers in some Christian denominations where leaders are believed to be chosen by God--a theme revived during Trump's presidency.