The "Church" State
Posted On Thursday, February 26, 2009 at at 11:46 AM by Pastor MikeI’m amazed at how many people are buying into a big government. “The Nanny state” is a real and pressing danger. One reader stated that socialism is not only a good idea, it’s an idea pressed by Jesus. No. Socialism is a government structure. Jesus was all about taking care of the needs of those who were in fact in need. That, however, is the job of the Christian, the local church, the capital “C” Church, the family. The scriptures say that we are to take care of those who are in need—Amen.
That’s why we’re in the state that we’re in, my friends. The family is no longer an effective social unit. The secular revival has killed it. The Church is not central in people’s lives. The government is stepping up to take our role. If the family and the Church cant get people through the tough times, then by “god” (probably not our God {Socialism and Christianity doesnt mix well}), the State will. Amen?
I don’t think so.
Our local socialists stated that capitalism breeds greed. Yes. Yes it does. But it also gives us the freedom to do wonderful things with our money. Each person is free to do what they will with the money that God gives them and the government doesn’t take away. Socialism is the government stepping up to do what the Church and the family are called to do. You dont have the freedom to do with your money what you will...that will be left up to the State.
Actually, theological even, greed or a thirst for power is are sinful desires. Capitalism is a means that the sinful person uses to feed their hunger. Take away capitalism and these desires still stay…it just uses whatever system it has available. When the system is big government or socialism, then those desires will still prevail—just with a much more dangerous tool to rule the masses. Socialism, not capitalism, is the first step to fascism for it hands over power to a minority.
.jpg)
"The family is no longer an effective social unit. The secular revival has killed it. The Church is not central in people’s lives."
Sorry, but I have to disagree with some of that.
Yes, I agree the Church is not central in people's lives anymore. But I think that was the problem in the first place. The Church never should have been central, God should have. You and I both know that when God is the center then everything else will fall into place.
Unfortunately, I think much of the Church became secular before the family did. With silly traditions, dogma, internal power struggles, and especially greed. When the people and the family see this going on in the Church....well of course there is going to be a secular revival. The Church was the cause of this.
So, following your reasoning the christian church should decide who are the ones in need, i.e. who is deserving of charity. Following your reasoning, this is decided by a criteria of moral justification which is decided by the bible which you consider is the word of god. The rest of us, the unbelievers or could we say the minority of , "socialists" "communists" "atheists" "gays" etc...whoever does not fit into your narrow volume of scripture & interpretation of what is acceptable to your god, WE have no say. We should just bow to your superior moral judgment & follow blindly.
Nate,
Of course I agree with you comment on God being the center...
As to the "Church" being the apriori problem...I dont know about that. The Church is defined as the body of Christ. The world became secular first, the family followed, with the Church in hot pursuit.
Rita,
You're out of your mind. By all means, its your money, give it to your causes...but dont tell me how I'm to be generous with my money.
When I give to those causes that I find in need, its called generosity; when you take my money to give to your socialized causes, its called theft.
Rita,
By the way, I would never advocate not helping a person because they did not share my beliefs or lived my "life style." On the contrary, I'd serve them just as much as I would those who were my brother/sister in Christ.
The Bible can be used for pushing Capitalism, Socialism, Totalitarianism, and Anarchy. It's just a matter of where to look. If Capitalism, then start reading Proverbs to people, if Socialism then start reading Acts to people. As for Totalitarianism, go with one of the first 5 OT books or Revelations, but for Anarchy go with the "Morality comes from within the Mind" teachings of Jesus.
By the way, it doesn't make a difference to me what political regime the state is in....I know how to work the system from all for corners of the chart.
Good points. Again though, Acts was not establishing a government system, but a church system. Christians should generously give to one another. This gift is to be freely and cheerfully giving (see 2 Cor. 9: 6—15). The gift is not to be forced (which is socialism). Capitalism does appeal to the greedy and self serving; but, it gives everyone the freedom (in principle of course) to freely give. I’ll quietly disagree with you on the scriptures justifying or supporting totalitarianism and anarchism.
You said Socialism is a government structure. A "nanny state".
You then said it is the job of the church to take care of those in need.
The problem is, who ever has the power calls the shots, they hold sway over moral superiority. You say this when you make statements like: We are in the state we are in because of a secular revival & the government is stepping up to take our role.
By your statements you assume the role of moral superiority.
Can't you see why the secular path is the logical path that a liberal democracy takes? The Bill Of Rights & The Constitution, that we Americans love so much. Why? BECAUSE it furthers the cause of liberty, freedom & rights for everyone regardless of religion.
Rita,
Sweet points. I will address your last in a new Post.