CULTURE, POLITICS & CITIZENSHIP
Module 9 is all about your faith in society. As a citizen of heaven that currently resides in the United States of America, how should a believer participate in our culture? What political views are consistent with a Biblical worldview? How should a Christian citizen behave?
Jesus said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.
Module Bible Reading Assignment
John - Chapters 13 & 14
How would you define the word, “Citizen”?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a CITIZEN as
A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
Christians owe loyalty to whom?
The HOLY TRINITY - Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
As citizens of the kingdom of God, this world is really not our home. Yes - we are Americans; but, we are here only for a short time and how we spend our time is important. Peter’s letter is really about living as an alien as we pass through a society. Believers become citizens of another kingdom. Consider how he addresses the believers ….
1 Peter 1: 1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
In Philippians the Apostle Paul writes the following:
Philippians 1: 27a Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ..
Philippians 3:20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
What topic did Jesus address most in the Gospels?
Answer: He talks most about the Kingdom of God.
The following is an excerpt from the book entitled, Gospel Generosity by Nathan W. Harris.
What exactly is the kingdom of God? We’ve heard it preached many times in church, talked about it in Bible studies, or read about it during our daily devotions. Yet we still may not be able to define it. Let me give you one of the most succinct definitions of the kingdom of God: “The kingdom” is the King’s power over the King’s people in the King’s place.” Patrick Schreiner helps to show us the kingdom of God is really about three things: power, people and place. Specifically, it’s about the King’s rule and authority (power), the citizens of His kingdom (people) and His kingdom (place). All three - power, people and place - are necessary to define the kingdom of God, because if you remove one, then the others no longer stand. To have a kingdom you must have a king to exhibit authority of His people in a specific location. A king must rule His subjects within the bounds of His kingdom. The king’s authority governs His people within His kingdom. The kingdom is about our King’s power (the authority of Jesus), the King’s people (Christians), and the King’s place (where His power and people reside).
The announcement of the kingdom of God was accompanied by an invitation to become a citizen under the rule and reign of Christ. The announcement of the kingdom of God not only proclaims the good news of the gospel but simultaneously calls for those who hear it to respond in faith - to trust in the saving work of Jesus. To be in the kingdom of God means to live under the rule and reign of the King, under His authority. Just as we once lived in the domain of darkness and followed the ways of our flesh and the spirit of disobedience (Ephesians 2: 1-3), now as citizens of the kingdom of God we are to live under the King’s power and for the King’s purposes (Ephesians 2: 4-10). Through the gospel, we not only find the forgiveness of our sins and redemption, but through the mercy of God we have become “God’s people,” the citizens of His kingdom (1 Peter 2: 10). In the Gospels, Christ sets forth what living under the King’s reign looks like for believers here and now, as well as how we wait for His return. Jesus establishes the kingdom of God and instructs His citizens on how to live under His authority. It doesn’t take long to read through any of the Gospels to see how Christ calls us to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. We see how that citizenship impacts every area of life - the way we evangelize the lost, disciple fellow believers, interact with our neighbors, care for our families, live in society, serve God, and minister in our local churches, among many other things.”
Harris, Nathan W. (2024). Gospel Generosity. B&H Publishing Group
Consider the American form of government: A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
In the 1700 & 1800s were all people that lived in the United States Christians? Certainly not.
Were all Congressmen & Senators that made our laws and served in positions of leadership Christ followers? Again. No.
Although the United States was defined as a “Christian Nation,” it does not mean that governmental leaders voted in a Christ centered way.
What about now in our country? As you know, there are MANY governmental leaders that call themselves Christians, but cast votes and conduct themselves in a manner contrary to Christian teachings. Does this nullify the truth of Christianity and the corresponding societal benefits?
Consider some of Christianity’s most appalling abuses like the Crusades, Salem witch trials, racial bigotry, abortion and slavery.
Bottom line: Should we judge or define a movement by its abuses?
The United States of America
The State of Virginia
The Golden Triangle of our Government
Freedom > Virtue > Faith
Developed by Os Guinness
The Party Platform
What is it?
A party platform is a set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues. Each party's platform is broken down into "planks," or declarations that speak to each specific issue.
Party platforms and their planks are very important to the electoral process: They give the candidates a clear political position with which they can campaign. They give voters a sense of what the candidates believe in, the issues they think are important, and how—if elected—they will address them.
What is the Republican Platform?
What is the Democrat Platform?
A Biblical Perspective comparing the two major
Political parties on the abortion issue.
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and staunch abolitionist said,
“That men should pray and fight for their own freedom, and yet keep others in slavery, is certainly acting very inconsistent, as well as unjust and, perhaps, impious part, but the history of mankind is filled with instances of human improprieties.”
