Biblical Christianity
I’d like to take claim for what follows as my own work, but that wouldn’t be true. Instead this was something that a FaceBook Friend shared that I just couldn’t remain silent about because I agreed so much with what he said. Mind you, I took the liberty of editing what he wrote.
Biblical Christianity:
The two enemies of the gospel in the first-century were legalism and libertinism. And those two enemies are still with us today. The libertine believes, “We are under grace, so we can do whatever we want. God’s cool with it. He’s love, you know.” The legalist believes, “My personal convictions reflect God’s opinions, so if it’s wrong for me, it’s wrong for you. Oh, and by the way, I’m not a legalist.” Put simply a.k.a. “Barney Style” so those with military backgrounds can understand it, the libertine acts as if there is no God. The legalist acts as if she/he is God. Both perspectives are acting from a self-perceived position of authority and/or moral superiority a.k.a. Arrogance!
Although the “biblical views” of most today do fit rather nicely along the left v. right political divide, please know that I am NOT making a pitch for the Left-wing, Democrat or Progressive perspective. NOR am I making a pitch for the Right-wing, Republican or Conservative perspective. In a nut-shell, the main difference I see between the two is that the Right/Conservative political view is one that asserts there are some things that are sacrosanct and you just don’t mess with them whereas the Left/Progressive political view is one that “we’re more enlightened now” (we know better) and we’re the “good people” and therefore we need to get rid of all that old fuddy-duddy stuff so we can live out God’s plan in the here and now.
Sadly, the majority view is: "We only have two choices, so let's go with the lesser of two evils i.e., the one which is more Christian more of the time." I understand that perspective and as a Christian, I also OBVIOUSLY lean toward the Right-wing, Republican or Conservative perspective. And my saying this doesn’t mean that the left-wing, Democrat or Progressive perspective is totally meritless. However, we need to remember that the lesser of two evils is still evil.
BUT -
I don't see either view (Left v. Right) in the New Testament Scriptures. As a matter of fact, I would argue that the political philosophy which best represents the principles of “liberty,” you know, “The truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) and “Proclaim Liberty throughout the land” (Lev 25:10) sort of stuff that I find when reading the scriptures is what some “intellectual” folks like to call "Christian Anarchy." I prefer the term "Christian Libertarianism." Mind you, I am NOT referring to the Libertarian political philosophy nor am I equating that to the “Libertinism” mentioned in the first paragraph. That being said, like the two previously mentioned political/Biblical perspectives, it does seem to fit. Just saying. . .
I maintain that, not all but, most Christians in America, whether they call themselves "Conservative - Evangelical" or "Progressive - Liberal" are both guilty of looking to the State, rather than to Christ or the Church, to implement the witness of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. God has not ordained that and therefore that is never going to happen! Yet, one can argue that this has been the goal of American Christianity since its inception. The Church has abdicated its responsibility to the State. Making matters worse is that the State has been more than happy to take on the role of being our savior in all things. This means that “Modern Christendom” is "falling short of the glory of God" and terribly tarnishing the testimony of Jesus Christ.
For example, the Conservative Christian has repeatedly asked the government to step in and outlaw certain practices ranging from the enactment of “Blue Law Ordinances” prohibiting vices such as prostitution, gambling and the purchasing or consumption of alcohol. Whereas the Progressive Christian is now going “Woke” and demanding the government prohibit the use of certain pronouns (free speech) and the wholesale acceptance, if not celebration of what many today still consider outright perversion.
In the Scripture, I see an increasing global totalitarian government existing right up to the time of Christ’s return, therefore I do not see the following actually happening but, rather than continuing to give our stamp of approval to the two party Left-v. Right paradigm, if Christians want to actually work towards liberty, we could have a peaceful revolution that moves government toward a more Libertarian form control. It is the only form of government that will effect liberty and justice in a society where both Christians and non-Christians can peacefully coexist. That being said, we need to remember that “We are in this world – not of it!” This is most definitely NOT the promised land and it is not in our job description to build God’s Church nor His Kingdom. To think otherwise is to usurp God! If that isn’t sin, I don’t know what is!
As a result of my studies, and in my humble opinion, this has always been God's way of ruling in His creation. He has always wanted a love relationship built on trust and mutual respect rather than a relationship built upon power, coercion and/or force. This is not to say that God hasn’t or won’t resort to the use of force to correct those he loves for their own good so that they might repent and return to him. God has always allowed everyone to be free to make their choices and live with the consequences of their actions in the context of "I put before you life and death - choose life." Instead, we want to legislate the morality and behavior of others and coerce human society to behave in the way we see as right, often overlooking what God has said in his word.
As I said, I do not see that actually happening before the return of Christ. I’ll also add that I don't think voting is inherently wrong, but I DO think most Christians have a misplaced the object of their faith by voting for a particular party or perspective and focusing on their national citizenship over their heavenly citizenship. That is misplaced faith and is wrong. We need to remember that the lesser of two evils is still evil! Adding insult to injury, the way Christians have conducted themselves publicly has further tarnished their witness to the lost.
THE OTHER OPTION
What I DO see in the New Testament with Jesus and His disciples is the Church pretty much ignoring the efforts of the State toward enacting either the Right’s rendition of God’s righteousness on earth or Left’s vision of humanistic “social justice!" The early Church’s focus was on preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and being a witness to the Kingdom (rule) of God for "those who have ears to hear" and "who-so-ever will" as well as making the manifold wisdom of God known to the powers and principalities that rule over us by being the witnesses that God intended us to be!
We need to get back to the basics of “Being the Church” over building a new one on every street corner of the nation. For example, if you see someone naked or hungry and in need of help, don’t stand there and hope that they will be warm and filled. If you are moved to help and can do something about it in the here and now then just do it! Why, because THAT is our mission. Our mission is NOT making known the American Constitution and Bill of Rights or running off to Caesar and petitioning the government do for others what we could have and didn’t just so we can feel good about ourselves. We are supposed to be the living stones that Christ builds His church with. Meanwhile, rather than authentically serving the cause of Christ, too many Christians are trying to "co-opt" the Anti-christ’s system to do it for them.
That ain't gonna happen, 'cause that is not the work of God.
For more of Bill Furioso’s work, check out: At Christ’s Table