The Purpose Of Governments

[Great Fiction]

I don't really get where you are headed....

Honestly, I don't see violence as being the answer to the issue of our government or society running off the rails... You can't fight Moral Decay with the sword.... You have to change hearts..

I agree whole heartedly, for all arbitrary violence and force is scripturally immoral.

I contend that "all" socialism is predicated upon arbitrary violence.

 

[R-C]

Does the Church need to go through the government to address those problems in the US?

I can't say I know what it's like in the US, but this kind of work is increasingly being contracted out to the private sector in most western countries now. I work pretty closely with the Salvation Army here in Aus, and those things are exactly the sort of programs the Salvos have. They try to be the first ones into disaster areas to help out, and their "welfare" programs tend toward building relationships with individuals in extreme poverty, to try to address the problems that are causing poverty for that person, and to build communities that can self-support their members, instead of simply handing out cash.

Personally, I'd rather see Christians addressing those problems directly, instead of focusing on trying to go through the gov to do the Church's work.

First off, great post, especially the last paragraph. As for the USA, I have a "theory", During the Great Depression there was a lot of need, little money and little leadership outside of the government. We, the people and the church, gave up, capitulated our duty and privilege to help those in need which extended to medicine, schools and other institutions. I suspect this was the beginning of a process which has only grown as the politicians more fully realized how easy it was to buy votes through charity. Glad to know this hasn't been as fully realized in Australia.

 

[Chris1]

God's earthly government structure is set up to PREVENT the NEED for God to take wrath upon the People....

But... It NEVER works because God is God and doesn't take orders from US....

*Sigh*

:Sigh:

I do agree with you, God most certainly doesn't take orders from us. Who are we to say that we know better than God?

Jesus said He was the Messiah, but did not come to earth to correct any sort of government or fulfill any governmental role. He was not on earth for any of that sort of thing - but his role was concerning the Kingdom of God. He told us (His believers and followers) to render unto Caesar's that which is Caesar's. The old testament tells us that God gave power unto a king.

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

It's funny, because I was watching a video a couple years ago where they were interviewing the founders of Israel and they were talking about their role in the bombing of the King David hotel etc. Something he said really stood out at me; he said that they were tired of waiting on the Messiah, and decided to take matters into their own hands.

All I could think about was the sin of the Satan, thinking he knew better than God, thinking he should decide the things of God for God.. in other words, thinking he had the ability to think that God could be wrong.

We don't take matters into "our own hands" We leave matters in God's all Knowing all Powerful Hand.

Some day, there will be God's reign on earth. 1000 years of peace, 1000 years where our every need given before we can even ask. Prior to that, many things will and must happen, and people will make their own choices concerning many things. Let us not be among those who say "we know better than God"

Because I know for a fact I don't, and I have yet to meet anyone who does.

If we are to do God's will on earth in this life as believers, then we shine our light, our actions should say, I'm a Christian, without ever having to utter the words. Our light is what is beautiful to others - that light is a beacon and a guide to men.