tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post442044262458805413..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Reflections on John the BaptistKen Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-1559732275268866422011-12-27T10:05:37.865-05:002011-12-27T10:05:37.865-05:00Your statement, "For the moment, this kingdom...Your statement, "For the moment, this kingdom is not political but is a spiritual kingdom. We live in two kingdoms, the kingdom of our God and the kingdom of this world. Our loyalty is solidly to the first, and we choose it over the second when the two are in unresolvable conflict. But we also live in the second kingdom and we render to Caesar what is Caesar's." is Augustine's statement and affirms the Tertullian principle of marytrdom for the CHURCH....and submission to government authorities, as unto "God".<br /><br />There are just as many ways to understand the poltical realm as there are how to understand the "spiritual" or "Kingdom" realm. Some believe that social order, as the Nazi's believed, or other military dictatorships was of uptmost importance. Government is to protect the social order, but how and how much?<br /><br />How much regulation of human behavior is appropriate? and what is appropriate, then? Is tyranny appropriate? Is resistance something a Christian should or would do? Why would one resist, if "God is allowing" rulers to bring about "God's justice upon the world"? Why would one question any government's right to rule over another? Is it right for men to rule over others, and when is that appropriate? Is consent of value? or is consent a reflection of a "rebellious heart" and "unsubmitted will"? Are individuals to be led by their ruler without question? or are there boundaries that define whether a leader is to be followed? OR is it a matter of conscience? What is conscience, then? and should ALL Christians have the SAME conscience? And when do we limit liberty for another's conscience? Should we all be wearing long skirts and not cutting our hair if we are women? "Biblical" becomes absurd.Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.com