Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
Private Christians - those that engage from interaction to interaction - are really quite beautiful. Public Christianity, is obnoxious. Since when is Christianity a political interest group, and we, as individuals, apologists for "political Chrisitanity"? (P.S. Lest you think I'm talking about republicans, I include the apoligist for leftists interpreters of the Bible on contemporary issues).
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I agree. John the Baptist told King Herod, "You can't have her", in regards to his brother's wife (Matt 14). But Jesus refused to speak to Herod, in spite of Herod's desire to hear something from Him.
Pilate posessed the power of the sword. "Do you not know that I can kill You, and I can set you free?" (John 19). But ultimately he had to concede to the mob's wishes.
My point is that these men, like Caesar whom they served, had external, physical, coercive power. Jesus had the power to lay down His life, and to raise it up again. Two completely different levels.
The gospels repeatedly show that the disciples were expecting an earthly kingdom. Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this earth.