christian in politcs (salt and light)

8/14/2019 christian in politcs (salt and light)

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LIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICS

Dr Toh See Kiat

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BGST Annual Lecture11 July 2008


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Outline 5 parts

I. Defining the Issues and Taking Sides

II. What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?

III. Submission, Not Subordination

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IV. Going the Full Length, Knowing the Limits

V. The Rest Is Up To You


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My kingdom is not of this world

Jn 18: 33-37

Pilate then went back inside the palace,summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you

the king of the Jews?" . Jesus said, "Mykingdom is not of this world. If it were, myservants would fight to prevent my arrest by

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t e ews. ut now my ng om s romanother place." "You are a king, then!" saidPilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in

saying I am a king.


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What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?

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What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?

Mt 5: 13-14, 16You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses

its saltiness, how can it be made saltyagain? It is no longer good for anything,except to be thrown out and trampled by

men.You are the light of the world. A city on a hill

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.

.

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds andpraise your Father in heaven.


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What does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt and

Light?Light?Light?Light?

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b. Being political without doing politics

c. The political Jesus in the face of evil

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and injustice


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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination

. light shine

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Rom 13:1-2,41Everyone must submit himself to the

, authority except that which God hasestablished. The authorities that exist have

been established by God. 2Consequently,he who rebels against the authority isrebellin a ainst what God has instituted,

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and those who do so will bring judgment onthemselves.4For he is God's servant to doyou good.


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Rom 13:3-43For rulers hold no terror for those who do

, . want to be free from fear of the one inauthority? Then do what is right and he will

commend you. 4For he is God's servant todo you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid,for he does not bear the sword for nothin .

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He is God's servant, an agent of wrath tobring punishment on the wrongdoer.


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Rom 13:5-75Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the

,punishment but also because of conscience.6This is also why you pay taxes, for the

authorities are God's servants, who give theirfull time to governing. 7Give everyone whatou owe him: If ou owe taxes, a taxes; if

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revenue, then revenue; if respect, thenrespect; if honor, then honor.


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1 Pet 2:13-1712Live such good lives among the pagans that,though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may

visits us. 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake toevery authority instituted among men: whether to theking, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors,

who are sent by him to punish those who do wrongand to commend those who do right. 15For it is God'swill that by doing good you should silence the

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. ,do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; liveas servants of God. 17Show proper respect toeveryone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear

God, honor the king.


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1 Pet 2:15For it is God's will that by doing good you

men.

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1 Pet 2:12Live such good lives among the pagans that,

,may see your good deeds and glorify God onthe day he visits us.

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.

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Christian civil obligations

1. Do not curse our rulers - Ecc 10:20; Ex 22:28,uoted b Paul in Acts 23:5.

2. Submit to them, honour them, respect themRom 13:1; 1 Pet 2: 13,17; Tit 3:1-2

3. Pray for governments: 1 Tim 2:1-3

4. Pay your taxes: Mt 17:24-27; 22: 16-21; Rom 13:6-7.

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. , ,

Rom 13:2-3; 1 Pet 2:14.

6. Accept the punishment when we do wrong: Rom13:4; 1 Pet 2:14


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Rom 13:1-2,41Everyone must submit himself to the

, authority except that which God hasestablished. The authorities that exist have

been established by God. 2Consequently,he who rebels against the authority isrebellin a ainst what God has instituted,

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and those who do so will bring judgment onthemselves.4For he is God's servant to doyou good.


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Tit 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers

do whatever is good, to slander no one, to bepeaceable and considerate, and to show true

humility toward all men.

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1 Tim 2:1-3 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,

everyone for kings and all those inauthority, that we may live peaceful and quiet

lives in all godliness and holiness. This isgood, and pleases God our Savior

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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits

. proper understanding

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State forbids Religion

State prevails over Religion

State favours Religion State defers to Religion

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No visible boundaries

Religion abolishes State


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. ,to God what is Gods

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. disobedience

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1. Speak from knowledge and facts.

2. D n k in hrill ri n v i .

3. Do not take aggressive stances.

4. Offer sound ideas, take reasoned and

reasonable positions.5. Work within the system, rather than break

the law.

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6. Dont be self-righteous.7. There is no need for self-inflicted

martyrdom.

8. Be truthful and honest always.


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Jn 7:18, Tit 3:1-2,

Rom 12:3,1 Cor 4:12-13,

2 Cor 13:1,Col 4:6,

Rom 12:17-19,Eph 4:25,

Heb 13:17,1 Pet 2:20, 23

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The Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To You

Jer 29:4-7

s s w a e m g y, eGod of Israel, says to all those I carriedinto exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: seek the peace and prosperity ofthe cit to which I have carried ou into

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exile. Pray to the LORD for it, becauseif it prospers, you too will prosper."

christian in politcs (salt and light)

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