Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
I would like to reference Igzy's comments on Christians using politics to influence democratic society, and that not attempting such is "irresponsible and backward". John the Baptist tried to influence Herod and got imprisoned. While he was there, he got impatient waiting for Jesus' influence in the political process, and sent messengers with a rather pointed question: "Are You the Christ, or should we (read: I) look for another?"
Jesus told the messengers, "Tell John what you see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."
Jesus didn't say, "John, if this was a democracy I would try to influence the political process, but since we're in an autocracy too bad for you. I must limit Myself to 'good works' ". No, I think Jesus' kingdom was on another level. Different from John, different from Herod, different from democracy. He wasn't trying to change the rules, nor enforce them (see His "Man, who appointed me a judge over you?" in Luke 12:14 -- contrast to Solomon's grandson Absalom in 2 Samuel 15:4: "Oh, if only I could be a judge!").
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That's an interesting interpretation, but I think you are reading a lot into it. To say that John the Baptist's experience was evidence that we should not petition government to do what is right is a stretch. John antagonized a self-serving leader who abused his power and killed him. That's different than saying petitioning government is wrong. Like I said, petitioning government was probably always a dodgy matter in those days. But it ain't necessarily so.
Obviously Jesus' kingdom is on its own level. It is above politics. It is also above marriage, child-rearing, healthy diet and exercise, and cooperating with neighbors. But that doesn't mean we don't employ good human behavior in those situations and just resort to being spiritual. We do both. Likewise, we pray about the government and live godly lives, and we also can engage in political action.
The key is wisdom and discretion, not black or white. We are spiritual beings and also human beings. God doesn't resent the earthly, just the earthly without the heavenly. He, after all, created the earthly. As C.S. said, "He likes it. He made it."