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A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 

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Is a Christian Nation Possible? – 21 August 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

For several years I’ve heard many of those who profess to be Christian talk hopefully about our Nation becoming Christian.

I have not changed my mind about the answer to this question: It is impossible to have a truly Christian government before Christ’s return. Why? All one has to do is read the Bible – or just look at history – to find the answer.

Government is about power. In order for “Christians” to become the government they must play political games that polarize people. And the saying still holds true: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It doesn’t matter if those in power are “Christian” or not, the results are the same.

In Matthew 22:21 Jesus’ opponents, hoping to trap Him, ask Him if it was lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar or not. Jesus answers them: "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Of course, the enemies of Jesus wanted Him to say something that they could use against Him, so that they could charge Him with treason, for example. I think Jesus’ answer can also have this application: that government and Christianity don’t mix. The combination of religion and government is potentially problematic.

In John 14:30, when Jesus refers to “the ruler of the world,” He is referring to Satan:

30 "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
~ New American Standard Bible

In Ephesians 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul writes of “the course of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air” – again referring to Satan.

2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
~ New American Standard Bible

It is my understanding that this state of affairs – Satan’s hold on the world – resulted from the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. That is why we are told by Jesus to be in the world but not of the world.

However, later, God did set up a theocracy (a government by God) with ancient Israel. Then, as we see in 1 Samuel 8 of the Hebrew (Old) Testament, the Israelites demanded a human king and an end to the theocracy. God tells Samuel, a judge of Israel, in 1 Samuel 8:7 –

7 …“Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.
~ New American Standard Bible

God tells Samuel to warn the Israelites about the way a human king will exploit them, but they demand to be ruled by a human king “like all the nations.” (1 Samuel 8:9-18) And we are all still suffering the consequences.

The Book of Revelation tells us that Jesus Himself will establish a true government under God – and He will rule with truth and justice. Until that long-awaited event comes to pass, the separation of Church and State is the only way to go.

Go on to: Pro-Life? – 22 August 2006
Return to: John 14:6 (Continued) – 20 August 2006
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