mercyngrace Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 **** This post is all about politics. It is intended to be about politics, so please make it about politics! ****(Yes. I am poking fun at all the threads about political issues that start with a disclaimer and inevitably get locked. )Last night I was on the treadmill, earbuds blaring an audible download of a book by a well known Christian theologian who was explaining why he believes the Bible supports his political opinions when I glance up at a nearby tv screen and read subtitles for a commentator on the Fox News Channel's "The Five".The brunette who was speaking said "Jesus never said anything political."As far as I could tell, having only read for a pair of minutes, the conversation was about a Christian minister with whom the speaker clearly disagreed. So - here's my question: Do you believe Jesus was political? Why or Why not? (I'm not asking whether men have subsequently applied His words to political ideas, that's self-evident. I'm asking whether you believe there is textual evidence that He addressed political issues.)Please do not argue about the issues you believe He addressed. No partisan talking points allowed. Just post a yea or nay with supporting scriptural reference and historical background if you know it. Now, to keep this really interesting, try to use only the Bible since the commentator would have only that volume as a reference.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) **** This post is all about politics. It is intended to be about politics, so please make it about politics! ****(Yes. I am poking fun at all the threads about political issues that start with a disclaimer and inevitably get locked. )Shocked...just shocked. I am calling your Mommy! Edited April 12, 2012 by Bill “Papa” Lee
guitarist Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) I think he talked politically when people would pose to him politically charged questions like, for example, when asked about whether it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. Beyond that, while many of his sermons could be applied to political situations, I don't think he intended them as such (although he could have used a political situation as a backdrop in one of his allegories, like the good Samaritan), as his mission was to set up his church, preach repentance, and most of all, atone for our sins. When you've got all that on your plate, there's not a lot of time to pander in politics. Edited April 12, 2012 by guitarist
volgadon Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Please do not argue about the issues you believe He addressed. No partisan talking points allowed.It would be really funny if this thread got locked over a heated debate on political issues from 2000 years ago. 2
Senator Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Well, generally speaking, having existed in a theocratic environment, it would be hard discect the political implications out from the religious and spiritual.I mean, when you ride into town being hailed as the rightful King of Israel, that's going to ruffle some political feathers!
thesometimesaint Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Ok my mistake. The principle is still the same.
why me Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Jesus was political but not in the way that some Jews hoped. Judas for example was extremely political and wanted the Romans to be overthrown and he was a member of a radical group. Jesus was political because he addressed the poor and the outcast in his society. He also criticized the elite of his society and he was upsetting the status quo, which is one reason why the Jewish religious leaders wanted him to be put to death. For the Romans and Jewish elite, Christ's death was a political act of getting rid of man who was establishing a following.
spartacus Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 All good replies so far, but yours was my favorite volgadon!It would be really funny if this thread got locked over a heated debate on political issues from 2000 years ago.
volgadon Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 All good replies so far, but yours was my favorite volgadon!Thanks.
CV75 Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 So - here's my question: Do you believe Jesus was political? Why or Why not? (I'm not asking whether men have subsequently applied His words to political ideas, that's self-evident. I'm asking whether you believe there is textual evidence that He addressed political issues.)No; I think all His sayings, including those that pertained to His kingdom / goverment, were divine (spiritual) and not of this world. I take politics to be of this world. His teachings supercede them, and cannot be limited or defined by any of the terms we use for the arts or sciences of the "naural man". Politics is the art or science of using authority or power in our societies' interrelationships, and it is clear His use of power and authroity was much broader than that. He doesn't use power and authority in His relationship, He shares it, a very apolitical thing to do. 1
Bond...James Bond Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) The fishes and loaves story is clearly about tax cuts for the richest 1%. Or it's pro-socialism. Edited April 12, 2012 by Bond...James Bond
Grundelwalken Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 As Guitarist stated, some of His teachings might have been considered political. I'm sure the lawyer that was 'condemned' by the Good Samaritan story felt he had been squashed but Jesus' motives were never political. He had no hidden agenda, did not engage in negative advertising, was not funded by a Super PAC that would spout offensive things so He could deny connection, and only had the welfare of ALL people in mind as He proposed 'new' doctrines and principles of the gospel. I believe He COULD have been very political and probably would have been quite successful but it would have required renouncing His real purpose for coming to earth. Thankfully, HIS politics will one day be OUR politics and we can rest assured we will be much happier. MW
volgadon Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 The fishes and loaves story is clearly about tax cuts for the richest 1%. Or it's pro-socialism.'E's 'avin' a go at the flowers now!
Bond...James Bond Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 'E's 'avin' a go at the flowers now!"Blessed are the cheesemakers? What's so special about cheesemakers?.....Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products." (from the same film)
volgadon Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 "Blessed are the cheesemakers? What's so special about cheesemakers?.....Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products." (from the same film)Oh, the meek! It's blessed are the meek! That's nice because they've 'ad a 'ell of a time...
volgadon Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Oh, the meek! It's blessed are the meek! That's nice because they've 'ad a 'ell of a time...And to make it political: What Jesus blatantly fails to appreciate is that is the meek who are the problem.
The Nehor Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 What Jesus blatantly fails to appreciate is that is the meek who are the problem.Just like we always blame politicians or doctors or the poor for healthcare problems instead of placing the blame where it belongs: ON THE SICK!!!!
Deborah Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 I believe Jesus was above politics. His purpose and his message were beyond human wrangling over politics. I think his answer on the coin with Ceasar's image illustrated his separation from that discussion. 1
The Nehor Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 I believe Jesus was above politics. His purpose and his message were beyond human wrangling over politics. I think his answer on the coin with Ceasar's image illustrated his separation from that discussion.I am just sad that you are going to be disillusioned when he returns and takes over reins of government.
mercyngrace Posted April 12, 2012 Author Posted April 12, 2012 Just like we always blame politicians or doctors or the poor for healthcare problems instead of placing the blame where it belongs: ON THE SICK!!!!And what about the homeless. Get a house, for crying out loud!
Maidservant Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 "He's makin' it up as he goes along!""He's been taken up! . . . . Oh, no, there he is!"
CV75 Posted April 13, 2012 Posted April 13, 2012 (edited) I am just sad that you are going to be disillusioned when he returns and takes over reins of government. But it will be a kingdom of kings and priests, queens and priestesses, and anyone who wants to belong to it (in the way reflected in D&C 121: 41-46) will share in it. All who remain after His Second Coming will be invited and not compelled to reign with Him (D&C 43:28-30). This is a very apolitical approach to goverment, because love (charity) and not power and authority are at the foundation of it. The approach is not an art or a science, but a doctrine and an eternal law. The approach is not the use of love, power and authority; but the sharing of these things.(edit) Another way I see it is that politics is about the granting and dividing of power and authority within a "kindgom" or societal unit, while Christ's kingdom is about sharing love (divine power and authority grow out of that, and are shared as well, upon becoming one with Him). Edited April 13, 2012 by CV75
LDSGuy Posted April 13, 2012 Posted April 13, 2012 I think it was very political when the Jewish authorities asked Jesus about paying tribute/taxes to Caesar. Jesus asks for a coin knowing that these authorities would give him a Roman coin. A Roman coin, the coin of the occupiers and oppressors of the people, was presented. Which would make the people all the more angry. These authorities accept payment in Roman coins from Roman oppressors. The people would not look to kindly on that. Jesus then says, "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's" upon the priest's confession about the graven image of a man (Caesar) upon the coin. A very political situation! At least in my view.
Recommended Posts