Regarding Christians and Politics in General.......
In our Government system regardless how we feel or think about them that we are to trust in our Sovereign God. Biblically, God never dictates governments to have citizens follow God. God dictated governments to "govern" the people and live in a civilized world. In one of my posts, I mentioned that "The Gospel is for "spiritual society" while the Governments are for "human society". Faith is something that individuals must accept or reject. People either take the leap and believe or they do not. It is not something that can be forced.
The Bible did SAY that God did appointed all rulers ESPECIALLY Egypt and Rome. Even Jesus submitted to the Roman Government. It is an easy topic but NOT easy to accept the fact.
Regarding Capital Punishment: The Old Testament law regarding Murder still stands. It was God who designed capital punishment. In Genesis 9:6: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made He man.” Because of the sanctity of man, because he is created in the image of God, God instituted a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, etc. Murder is a crime against God in whose image man is made—it defiles God—so capital punishment is required. God instituted capital punishment. There were three methods in the Old Testament: stoning, with the sword, burning. If God started capital punishment, I don't remember anywhere in the New Testament that the capital punishment have been removed. God has set standards for us to live in a hostile world. At the same time, the Apostles have written that we are to obey the government. We cannot ignore the New Testament writings about the Government while we are following Jesus' words regarding how we should live. Even Jesus obeyed the Government while He was living on earth. He was put to death by Roman Government's capital punishment.
Jesus was put to death by non-Israelites (Roman Government). Throughout the New Testament, Jesus did not once rebuked the Roman Government regarding how they run their government. Remember the story about the Jewish people (Religious leaders) were about to stone a woman for committing an adultry? Jesus prevented them who were not from Government Authority (Jewish Leaders) from stoning but Jesus didn't prevent the Government from crucifying Him and others.
Political Views
So far, many of posts in this thread are motivated by political views with emotional ties. We should be follow the WORD of GOD and be guided by Holy Spirit. When I voice my political views, they are MINE based on my understanding the Bible and how I view the world. The Bible has much to say about the nature of human, the world, purpose, and etc. Christians should use their Bible and their relationship with God by adopting a biblical perspectives which are God's views in all aspects of life. The Bible calls upon the rulers to create a just society.
As Christians, we are to focus on the social, economic, political and military crises which confront our lives require us to reaffirm our view of God as love, and the godly life as the way of peace. To love God is to treat people lovingly. (Leviticus 19:18, I John 3). Christ taught us to love our enemies, instructing us that war, both within and without, is sin and an expression of human failure. (Matthew 5, James 4). As Christians, we can commit ourselves to work more actively for public policies that reduce militarism, war, and political and economic inequities. We must work persistently and faithfully for a more peaceful and equitable world community. That means we if we do not like what the Government is doing, GET INVOLVED and make it change (if God is willing).
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