Christ and politics: He rules over all
Just received a very short and concise newsletter from Africa Christian Action on Christians and politics. The whole letter is here below.
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Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, June 14, 2010
Christians in politics: No gospel, no mandate!
Christians are to influence every area of society and mustn't squirm away from getting involved in all areas of life. Whether, it is technology, science, sport, politics, media or arts, we are supposed to be the salt and light of the world wherever we are.
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Tuesday, May 04, 2010
7 Reasons for Christian involvement in politics
Christians are forever between a rock and a hard place when it comes to politics. Should they be involved or should they limit it to voting alone? It isn't easy and many Christians muddy the water by playing the preaching of the gospel off against practical involvement in society. Of course the primary mandate of Christians is to preach the gospel of Christ to the nations, yet this mandate does not excuse us from being involved in society and politics. Being involved politically does not only mean standing for office. There are so many levels for involvement, from Christian action groups all the way to being president.
So, what reasons do we have for being involved in politics?
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Christian Voting Must be Biblically Based
It is always interesting to talk to people to hear their criteria for choosing who to vote for in an election. With the 2009 elections coming up on 22 April, it is time again to hear the ideas of people. People have different reasons for why they vote for certain political parties. Most people look at financial issues, hence, their political outlook is mostly for personal gain. How can the government make my life better? This of course shows a dependence on the government. This is also not just an issue for the poor! The rich have the same thoughts. They would like a government that will ensure that their riches don't get squandered on unnecessary taxes, or will at least see to it that the money of the rich will keep on growing. As Christians, we march to the beat of a different drum… a heavenly drum! And that drum is not beaten by us, the Christians, but by the Lord of the universe, Jesus Christ Himself. It is very much a Lordship issue, even in deciding who we will vote for in a political election. God is not uninterested in politics! This is not that one sphere of life where God leaves man to his own devices. This is not a no-go zone for God! "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. (Ps 24:1)" To think that God can be excluded from any sphere of life, no matter how corrupt it has become, shows a naivety that does not belong with clear thinking people. Politics, essentially has nothing to do with power. It primarily has to do with justice and care for a nation. It is exactly the quest for power by politicians that nations end up like Zimbabwe, DRC, Middle-East and China. Politics is about the good of the country, not about the individuals leading the country. As Lord Acton once said: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This is too much of a reality in our modern world not to take notice of it. So, how does this choice of who to vote for affect Christians? When we look at who gets the vote in South Africa, it makes one wonder how many Christians actually march to the heavenly drum! Up until our last elections, it has been the ANC and DA as number one and two parties respectively. Those results are quite perplexing, considering that about 70% of the population claims to be Christian. Why is this perplexing? Well, if one looks at the South African Voter's Guide, it becomes clear that these two parties stand antithetically opposed to Biblical Christian values. Christians simply do not not have the luxury of making up their "own minds" on issues that have been clearly spelt out in the Scriptures. That is on any issue in life. Yet, it is true that the Scriptures do not tell us who to vote for. However, that does not give us an escape route to vote for parties that do not stand on the Lord's side! In making up our minds who to vote for, there should be a clear procession of thought on the issues. As Christians, our decision must be guided by clear Biblical mandate first. That means, where the Bible speaks clearly, we have to follow. If the Bible is clear on the issue of murder, we cannot vote for a party that supports abortion, ala ANC and DA. The Bible is clear on murder. You get the point! Therefore, Biblical moral issues must be adhered to first in our decision before any other issues that are based on conscience or expediency. So, issues such as abortion, pornography, homosexuality, prostitution and the like must take precedence in your decision who to vote for. The Bible is clear on these issues. There are clear commands and Biblical doctrine on each of these issues and other moral issues. As a result, issues of conscience, on which the Bible has no clear teaching, must play second fiddle to moral issues. Even more so, issues of expediency such as simple economic issues. If Christians do not use their votes towards establishing Biblically righteous government, they are indeed using their votes towards evil. And, perpetuating evil in this way is clear disobedience against the clear statutes of God. "Without virtue, a society can be ruled only by fear, a truth that tyrants understand all too well."1 Already, the ANC is planning to amend the South African Constitution if they win a two-thirds majority. Voting by a Christian must result in a better country with justice for all. A better country can only be seen as a righteous country. It does not have to be a country where all its citizens are Christians, but it will be a country where the people understand what is right and what is wrong, and where the law and its application brings true justice for all. There are many Christians that vote for both the ANC and DA. They vote for the ANC as the so-called liberators from apartheid, and others vote for the DA as a so-called strong opposition to the ANC. With the upcoming elections, there will also be the breakaway party, COPE. When you look at the SA Voter's Guide, you will realise that COPE's policies are exactly the same as that of the ANC. In fact, of the 8 issues in the guide, the ANC and COPE get 0/8 and the DA get 2½. The ½ of the DA here is only because of stated policy, disregarding their poor voting record in parliament. Remember, voting is a Christian duty. In a democracy, your vote can actually effect change. Your vote can move this country closer towards justice and righteous government. Don't throw that vote away by denying a party perhaps just that one vote it needs to have someone put into parliament. Further, don't waste your vote on the memories of so-called past liberation or on the promise of so-called strong opposition, especially when both of these sides stand for very much the same when it comes to moral issues. Let your vote count towards righteous government, and vote for a Christian party such as the ACDP or CDA. Christian, do not support and perpetuate immorality by giving your vote to parties that do the same! Do not vote through fear, but rather let your vote reinforce Christian Biblical values! Notes 1. Colson, Charles and Pearcey, Nancy, How Now Shall We Live?, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1999, p373.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Is Fiji's political turmoil also a miracle?
There is a DVD making the rounds about how God did a miracle in Fiji when He raised Christians (or a Christian party) to rule the nation. How many years ago that was supposed to have happened, I do not know. This DVD has created quite a stir among a small Christian group in the hope that the same would happen here in South Africa. Of course, this is all in the hope that South Africa will get a political solution with Godly government. I am sure most Christians hope for something like this to happen in South Africa. Is it realistic? Not at all! It is very presumptive to think that God would bring about such a miraculous change in South Africa in order to bring about a Christian political dispensation. Of course, the New Testament never promises Christians any kind of majority political rule this side of heaven! God's kingdom is NOT of this world! Coming back to Fiji, the island nation experienced a military coup back in 2006, which has brought the country into disrepute. Just this week, all free news reporting has been halted, and several foreign journalists have been expelled from the country. Since there was a major change in government run by Christians some time ago, and that was seen as a miracle, are we to believe that the coup was also a miracle? You see, when you put your hope in political means, your hopes will eventually be dashed. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Ps 20:7) For those who want to think the worst of this blog post, NO, I am not saying that we as Christians should not be involved in politics. Neither am I saying that we should not vote. What I am saying is that if your hopes and energy are spent on the political process, you are wasting your time. It is NOT the political process that will change people's hearts. Political canvassing can merely get a vote in the form of a cross on a ballot paper. Political activity leads NO ONE to the cross of Christ. So, go vote on 22 April and get involved in Christian politics. Just remember, politics don't change hearts, only the gospel of Jesus Christ can!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What All Christians Need to Know Before They Vote
This is an email letter from Africa Christian Action. THE ELECTIONS: WHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE THEY VOTE Politics has always been a contentious subject and together with ‘religion’ has caused more unrest and division than any other factor (apart from greed of course, for we know that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” 1 Tim 6:10). One has to ask why this is so? Very simply because politics affects nations, generations and each and every one of us on a grass roots level. Why then, do many Christians and particularly the Church, run away from political engagement? Why is it that Christians can differ so significantly on who they vote for and why, when we serve the same God and read the same Bible? In Hosea 4:6 the Lord says “My people perish for a lack of knowledge”. Many Christians do not know the Biblical mandate they have from God, to vote, to hold their governments accountable and to play a role in societal change. It is partly due to this apathy and ignorance that the Church (and Christian individuals) has usurped its role in keeping governments accountable. 2 Chronicles 7:14 clearly outlines what God thinks about this: “If My people who are called by My Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Your responsibility We cannot expect ‘government’ to run society along Biblical values, if WE do not elect a Biblical party. Every Christian needs to vote and they need to vote according to Biblical values. We do not prescribe who you should vote for, however when you look at the Biblical Voters' Guide and you see what every party stands for, you as a Christian can surely only vote for a Christian party. If every Christian voted for the Christian option, we would see our nation transformed. God will hold us accountable, because we are the electorate who have the power to choose Godly government. Elect Godly leaders Even if you dont like the leader/representatives within the Christian party options, you are obligated to vote for them (as long as they live Biblically and support Biblcal policies). Your conscience cannot grant you leeway in this matter. Many people will argue and say that “The Christian vote is a wasted vote” and, “We need to vote for the strongest opposition party in order to break the control of government” – but that is not what God would say. His Word clearly declares that we are to uphold Biblical values and elect Godly leaders. “But select capable men from all the people - men who fear God,trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain - and appoint them as officials..." Exodus 18:21 No Christian can vote for a pro-abortion party/person. Full stop. If you do so, beware – “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” Matt 12:36,37. Likewise, no Christian can abstain from voting, for an uncast vote is actually a vote for the ruling party. A critical election This election is a watershed event in South African politics as, if Zuma is elected as the President (whilst still facing trial for corruption), he could have the power to change the constitution and possibly dismiss his trial. We know this could be the start of a downward spiral for our country and so we need to rise up as the Body of Christ and place our trust in God by voting in Godly representatives, so that the Lord’s will may be done in our land. With God all things are possible! (Matt 19:26). Jackie Georgiou SAVOTERSGUIDE.COM The updated 2009 Biblical Issues Voters’ Guide in English (including COPE's standpoints) – detailing the positions of 8 leading political parties on 8 key Biblical issues - is now available from www.SAvotersguide.com or you can click here to download. Distribute quantities to your congregation, community and colleagues. You can also download the Voters' Guide as a one page PowerPoint here (excellent for church announcements or sermons). Quantities can be ordered from Africa Christian Action, call 021 –6894481 or email: info@christianaction.org.za. The Afrikaans Voters' Guide is now available as well as the main page of the Xhosa Voters' Guide on the www.savotersguide.com website. The SAvotersguide.com website also features relevant articles, helpful links, a downloadable Voter Education tract and Powerpoint, plus view responses of political parties to the Christian Action Network’s Policy Survey. Christian Action magazine The latest Christian Action magazine includes a special election emphasis. Quantities are available for distribution. Contact Africa Christian Action: 021 -6894481 or info@christianaction.org.za. Africa Christian Action Cape Town South Africa
This article is published in the April edition of JOY! magazine (on shelves now) along with the Christian Action Network's Biblical Issues Voters' Guide.
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Value of Christian Education
Dr. Peter Hammond of Africa Christian Action and the South African Reformation Society sent out the following today: THE VALUE OF A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION A truly Christian education is invaluable. It will create an environment of respect for God, for His Word and for authority. It will lay foundations of discipline, moral values and a work ethic that will prepare a student for life. Christianity is a tremendous force for education. Most of the world’s languages were first set to writing by Christian missionaries. The first book in most languages of the world has been the Bible. Christianity has been the greatest force for promoting literacy worldwide throughout history. Christianity revolutionised education by making it available to all classes and to both genders. Christians were the first to advocate universal education. The very name, universities, confirms their Christian origin. Uni Veritas means ‘one truth’. It was the Christian monks and missionaries who discipled Europe who established the first universities in Paris, Oxford and Cambridge. The greatest invention in the field of human learning, the printing press, by Johannes Gutenberg was also a fruit of the Christian faith. The first book to be printed off Gutenberg’s press was the Bible. Education for the deaf was pioneered by Christians. Education for the blind was pioneered by Christians. The Braille alphabet was developed by a dedicated Christian, Louis Braille, in order to enable blind people to read with their fingers. It is therefore ironic that so many in education today are so hostile towards Christianity. Perhaps they are ignorant of the Christian roots of universal education for all classes and both genders, and the incomparable contribution of Christianity toward worldwide literacy, graded education and higher education. It certainly is time that teachers, lecturers and professors took an in-depth look at the greatest teacher the world has ever known, Jesus Christ, the greatest Book ever produced, the Bible, and the Christian faith that inspired and pioneered every major branch of education. However, education has become a battleground. Anyone who believes that education can be neutral is mistaken. Ideas have consequences. Actions flow from thought patterns. Parents are not faced with the choice between sending their children to a religious school or to a non-religious school. All schools are religious. Parents must choose which religion will be taught to their children. Will it be Christianity? Islam? Humanism? Or something else? The point is that education is inherently religious because it presents a certain perspective and selection of history, values and practices, and it prescribes a worldview. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8 Parents can delegate the task, but not the responsibility, for the education of their children. Children do not belong to the state. They belong to God and are entrusted by Him to parents to: “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 Parents are responsible under God to oversee the teachers, textbooks and syllabi that will shape and fill their children’s minds for the 15,000 hours of schooling. Christian parents should be involved in the Parent Teachers Association and school governing body of their local school. Parents need to take an active role in the education of their young, according to Biblical principles. The control of education should be in the hands of parents, and the content of education must be Bible-based. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 Nearly five hundred years ago, the great German Reformer Martin Luther warned: “I am much afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to hell unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them on the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.” The theory of evolution is often propagated in state school textbooks. Evolution is an attempt to abort God retroactively. Evolution destroys all meaning, purpose, direction, justice and hope in life. “You came from nothing, you are going nowhere, life is meaningless!” The Bible says: “The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1 Secular humanist education attempts to kill God by eradicating Him from the classroom and from the minds of the next generation. By eliminating the Bible as the basis for all knowledge, humanists remove the very foundation of Truth. They prohibit the only objective standard by which reality can be evaluated. The Bible tells us that God seeks “godly offspring…” Malachi 2:15. As a parent, one of my greatest desires and priorities is to bring up my children “in the training and instruction of the Lord”, to “train a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6. My greatest concern is that my children grow up to love the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind, and with all their strength. I pray that my children will grow to love, trust, obey, worship and serve God more consistently and effectively than I have done. We are to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done…so that the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be…stubborn and rebellious…whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.” Psalm 78:4-8 God’s Word makes clear what our greatest priority is: “These are the commands, decrees and Laws the Lord your God directed me teach you to observe…so that you, your children, and their children after them, may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commandments that I give you, and so that you may enjoy a long life…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind their on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates…fear the Lord your God, serve Him only.” Deuteronomy 6:1-13 The education and discipleship of the next generation is given as the very first application of God’s Law and the highest priority of God’s people in this passage. We are not merely to teach a head knowledge, but a wholehearted love for God. Wholeheartedly - with all our soul and with all of our strength. Body, mind and spirit, and in every aspect of our lives, we are to radiate and reflect our love for the Lord. The Lord’s commandments should be discussed, morning, noon and night. From the very first thing in the morning to the last thing at night. God’s Word is to be such an integral part of our lives that everything we do with our hands and everything that we think with our minds is to be guided and governed by Scripture. Our homes should also reflect the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life and everything within our gates, even our gardens. People should be able to tell the difference Christ makes in our lives. They should see that we love the Lord and that the Bible governs every aspect of our lives. The Scripture warns us: “Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. Worldly friends, worldly fashions, worldly music, pagan magazines, TV, newspapers, state schools and the Internet can corrupt and conquer our children. We need to be aware of negative peer pressure and bullies. Our children need to have the Spiritual backbone and the courage to stand up for their convictions and fight for the Faith. Temptations and traps of the devil surround and press in on young people today demanding their attention and allegiance: Hollywood stars, rock idols, sports heroes, political leaders, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, hip hop, rap, rebellion and rock and roll, gangster pimp music, fashions and worldly friends. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong…” Exodus 23:2 Our time is so limited. We need to make great efforts to protect our families’ time. We need to schedule family priorities into our diary. We need to focus on God’s priorities. “Only one life, it will soon be passed – only what’s done for Christ will last.” The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. We must put most of our efforts into that which really matters the most. I want my children to learn to be brave, to be dependable, faithful, disciplined Christians of integrity, people of their word who can be depended upon to honour their commitments. They need to learn to be unselfish, to always put personal feelings and interest aside in order to do what is right, to care for the weak and needy and for the lonely. To rescue stray animals, to help those who are in greatest need, and to serve the Lord sacrificially. For me to teach this to my children, they need to see these priorities and principles at work in my life, consistently. As a father I have a God-given duty to provide for and protect my children, and to be an example to them as I disciple them and train them to be God-fearing Christians who will love and serve God, His people and His creatures wholeheartedly. “Know therefore, that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His Covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His Commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 Dr Peter Hammond Dr. Peter Hammond is a home schooling father of four children, and a co-author, with his wife Lenora, of Reforming Our Families. www.ReformationSA.org Africa Christian Action Cape Town South Africa
A Battleground
The Responsibility of Parents
Wide Gates to Hell
Raising God Fearing Children
In the Light of God’s Law
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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