2 Corinthians--a Very Misunderstood Epistle

Many commentaries focus on Paul's defense of his ministry. Paul's main purposes have little to do with defending his ministry. The most common themes are: 1) reconciliation--between us and God, between fellow believers within the church, and between Paul and the Corinthians; 2) exhortation to ministry--Paul has been steadfast and uses his example to spur the Corinthians to look beyond their petty squabbles and reach out to the world, no matter how difficult it will be, because we have God and the rest of the world needs to be in relationship with Him. Be bold, be brave, get out of the pew!

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Involved in Politics?

 Yesterday I had a conversation with an elderly business owner who was bemoaning the fact that national cultural trends were killing America and the solution was empowering the Republican Party. In order to redeem society, he said, we need to be involved in politics.

Two thoughts: first, Christ had the opportunity to remake the Sanhedrin, confront Roman rule--the governor and the tetrarchs--and chose not to. Neither did He instruct His disciples to do so after His resurrection and ascension. Second, He said His Kingdom was not of this world as a rebuke for those who thought the Messiah was going to bring political power back to the Jewish people.

So why are Christians so concerned with political power?

Also, if you had to rate the political parties on the several commandments--two of which are called the Greatest Commandments--and as exemplars of the Good Samaritan principle (caring for others not of your "tribe"): which party better shows "love of God" and obedience? (Remember the parable of two sons, one said he would obey the father but didn't, the other said he wouldn't but did.); which party better shows love of their neighbor? which party shows more love towards their enemies (Mt. 5.44)? which party exhibits more quarrelsomeness, divisiveness, anger, selfish ambition--character traits that will not inherit the kingdom (Gal. 5.20-22)?



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