Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jhpb@granjon.garage.att.com Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Tools of the Antichrist (was `Sola Scriptura') Message-ID: Date: 8 Aug 90 07:41:39 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Labs (Liberty Corner) Lines: 50 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Darren wrote: There is no record that Jesus told his disciples to go out and take charge of governments; there is no record that Jesus told his disciples to go out and oppress people who did not believe; there is no record that Jesus wanted his followers to engage in pogroms slaughtering thousands. Since there is no record that Christ wanted us to do those things, who do you suppose did? I disagree with your drift, because of something that Our Lord said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. Thus my point: -> Governments are for maintaining temporal concerns above all, but -> governments formed by Christians also have to keep in mind the -> eternal destiny of their citizens, as taught by Jesus Christ. Their -> laws should be framed with the teaching of Jesus Christ in mind. -> Those who wish to spread ideals that, according to the teaching of -> Jesus, lead to eternal death, should be opposed. God does not believe in Liberalism, in other words. God did not tell the Apostles to run governments, but He did teach them things that must necessarily influence the laws made by a nation of men who follow the Apostles. If Jesus taught that fornicators cannot enter into eternal life, then people who know this, yet, when forming a government, allow the free spread of such things, what can be said of such people? They deserve to be committed, more than anything else! There is a difference between Jesus's times and ours. When He was crucified, He had few followers, and they were weak. In modern times, He has many more who call themselves Christians. Consider what would have happened at Lithostratos if Pilate had been surrounded by a Christian crowd. Ha! He would have been lucky if he had retained a position as street-sweeper. Perhaps even his life, in the excess of people's indignation. Imagine, a Roman governer trying to crucify God. What a mob-scene that would have been. Pilate wouldn't have had a chance. Unfortunately, there are many nowadays who think that the Christian thing to do in that 1st century situation was: nothing. If we won't defend the Body of Christ, our brothers and sisters in Christ, then they, and He, will continue be crucified again.