A Political Post

[volgadon]

The people would not look to kindly on that.

Why? That was the common currency, pure and simple.

[Bond...James Bond]

Why? That was the common currency, pure and simple.

Jesus only recognizes the One True Currency, the American dollar.

[The Nehor]

Why? That was the common currency, pure and simple.

It was also (to many Jews) a symbol of oppression.

[why me]

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.

We experience politics everyday and one can even say that a human life is political life since the political is a social activity that is often unnoticed. For example, our employment and politics co-mingle as jobs are shed because of recessions and profit.

Jesus was born into a certain political situation. And his daily life was affected by those politics as was his earthly mother's and faither's lives affected. Jesus needed to work within such a system and preach accordingly. He could not escape the politics of the situation that surrounded him and it eventually killed him. He could not be above the politics. Also, he would have no need to go among the excluded and the poor if there were a political system that prevented such exclusion.and poverty. I am also sure that he lived his daily life with handouts from those who were not in need. He also needed to eat and drink.

[CV75]

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.

This is an example of a divine response to an attempt at giving Him a political test.

[CV75]

We experience politics everyday and one can even say that a human life is political life since the political is a social activity that is often unnoticed. For example, our employment and politics co-mingle as jobs are shed because of recessions and profit.

Jesus was born into a certain political situation. And his daily life was affected by those politics as was his earthly mother's and faither's lives affected. Jesus needed to work within such a system and preach accordingly. He could not escape the politics of the situation that surrounded him and it eventually killed him. He could not be above the politics. Also, he would have no need to go among the excluded and the poor if there were a political system that prevented such exclusion.and poverty. I am also sure that he lived his daily life with handouts from those who were not in need. He also needed to eat and drink.

To me, this is a good example of how a God descends below all things in a fallen world, including its politics, and yet retains His divinity. Jesus Christ is a perfectly integrated being and personality, so to attempt to dissect that part of Him which is “political” and call Him a political being is not possible without ignoring the whole of who He is and what His mission is.

D&C 134:1 indicates that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man and that they will be held accountable for their politics (how they act in relation to government, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society). In more ways than not, Christ is accountable to no one, especially in relation to government.

While scriptural descriptions of Him use words such as “Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (2 Nephi/Isaiah 9)”, etc., the term “Christ the King (Mark 15:32)” was used in derision and “the prince of the kings of the earth (Revelations 1:5)” signifies His servant-oriented approach wherein the government is upon His shoulder (not in His hands) by virtue of His atoning sacrifice and redemption which is extended to all who would belong to such a kingdom that is not of this world.

I’ve heard references to His “political kingdom” being upon the earth during the Millennium, but still this does not define Him as political. I see it as only further training a la D&C 134:1 in preparation for membership in the Church of the Firstborn.

If it is ultimately nothing like what operates in this world, and if it is perfect, then His kingdom cannot be political.

[Deborah]

What CV75 said.

Christ may have been caught up in the "politics" his Jewish persecutors accused him of but he himself was not a participant. He did not attempt to defend himself nor to oppose, much to the chagrin I am sure of some of his followers. He was there to teach a higher law and his life and death exemplified that.

As to his reign on earth during the Millennium, he will be a theocratic leader but there will be no politicking as we know it. Can you imagine a party opposing the Savior? I can't.

[thesometimesaint]

Christs' Kingdom certainly is political.

Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

PS. It's political but not partisan.

Edited April 13, 2012 by thesometimesaint

[Deborah]

Sometimes, just because you like to make everything political doesn't mean it is.

[CV75]

Christs' Kingdom certainly is political.

Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

PS. It's political but not partisan.

But the authority or power is an outgrowth of love. Priesthood authority and power are not used in the relationships; they are shared, especially in a kingdom of priests and priestesses. They are not a function of art and science (as politics are), but of divine love and alignment with eternal principle.

I was just reading about the followers of Alma at the waters of Mormon. There were only 450 people, and how they governed themselves isn't stated except that what is described seems like a very apolitical structure reflecting Zion (all things in common, caring for the poor and needy, etc.).

[CV75]

The 3 P's: Priesthood, Power, Politics(NOT!)

[thesometimesaint]

Authority by defintion is power. Power can be righteously or unrighteously used but it is still power. IE; The good King has the same power of the bad King he just uses it differently.