WW: Week Two
Ultimate Authority
“He (God) changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings;” - Daniel 2:21
“You would have no authority over me if it were not given you from above”. - John 19:11
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” - Romans 13:1
“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” - 1 Timothy 2:1 & 2
“Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.” – 1 Peter 2:17
This week has brought us the swearing-in of a new president and a shift in political power in DC from a republican to democrat run country. But no matter what country we find ourselves in as Christians there are a few things we all need to keep in mind. Our hope and security does not rest on who is in political power in a nation, but in the one who grants that power. Here are a few verses, questions, and quotes to guide us in developing a biblical worldview for a time such as this.
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” - Psalm 118:9
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” - Philippians 3:20
“You would have no authority over me if it were not given you from above”. - John 19:11
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” - Romans 13:1
“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” - 1 Timothy 2:1 & 2
“Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.” – 1 Peter 2:17
This week has brought us the swearing-in of a new president and a shift in political power in DC from a republican to democrat run country. But no matter what country we find ourselves in as Christians there are a few things we all need to keep in mind. Our hope and security does not rest on who is in political power in a nation, but in the one who grants that power. Here are a few verses, questions, and quotes to guide us in developing a biblical worldview for a time such as this.
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” - Psalm 118:9
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” - Philippians 3:20
Questions to ask:
- In what ways is the current state of American politics potentially influencing your outlook on life (reality)? Joy? Purpose?
- What do you see as having the greatest potential for bringing change to our nation?
- Why is it important to be careful about what occupies our minds and hearts in our current cultural and political climate?
Something can become a god or idol when it becomes whatever we cannot imagine living without, whatever we most love, whatever we most trust, rely on, and believe in, and whatever is our final refuge.
“Before and after America, there was and will be the church. The nation is an experiment. The church is a certainty.”
- Jonathan Leeman
“A Christian’s political posture, in a word, must never be withdraw. Nor should it be dominate. It must always be represent, and we must do this when the world loves us and when it despises us. Anyone who tells you, “Withdraw, we’re losing!” or, “Push forward, we’re winning!” may have succumbed to a kind of utopianism, as if we could build heaven on earth. Instead, heaven starts in our assemblies, even if only as in a mirror dimly. Christians are heaven’s ambassadors, and our churches are its embassies. Neither panic nor triumphalism become us.”
- Jonathan Leeman
“Yet the proper question is not, “Does political influence take resources away from evangelism?” but, “Is political influence something God has called us to do?” If God has called some of us to some political influence, then those resources would not be blessed if we diverted them to evangelism—or to the choir, or to teaching Sunday School to children, or to any other use. In this matter, as in everything else the church does, it would be healthy for Christians to realize that God may call individual Christians to different emphases in their lives.”
- Wayne Grudem
- Jonathan Leeman
“A Christian’s political posture, in a word, must never be withdraw. Nor should it be dominate. It must always be represent, and we must do this when the world loves us and when it despises us. Anyone who tells you, “Withdraw, we’re losing!” or, “Push forward, we’re winning!” may have succumbed to a kind of utopianism, as if we could build heaven on earth. Instead, heaven starts in our assemblies, even if only as in a mirror dimly. Christians are heaven’s ambassadors, and our churches are its embassies. Neither panic nor triumphalism become us.”
- Jonathan Leeman
“Yet the proper question is not, “Does political influence take resources away from evangelism?” but, “Is political influence something God has called us to do?” If God has called some of us to some political influence, then those resources would not be blessed if we diverted them to evangelism—or to the choir, or to teaching Sunday School to children, or to any other use. In this matter, as in everything else the church does, it would be healthy for Christians to realize that God may call individual Christians to different emphases in their lives.”
- Wayne Grudem
We invite everyone to live out 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and make a commitment to pray for our president and nation as we continue to live godly lives in this present age.
BOOK RESOURCES
BY WAYNE GRUDEM
BY JONATHAN LEEMAN
Posted in Worldview Watch
Tagged with ww, worldview watch, politics, ultimate authority, Daniel, John, Romans, 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, Psalm, Philippians, Jonathan Leeman, Wayne Grudem
Tagged with ww, worldview watch, politics, ultimate authority, Daniel, John, Romans, 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, Psalm, Philippians, Jonathan Leeman, Wayne Grudem