Episode 12: Just a Thinker | Episode 0012 | Does Congregation Size Help or Hinder the Gospel?

Do we, Christians, support public policies that are incongruent with a biblical worldview? And if so, how would we know? How should a biblical worldview inform our approach to Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, Illegal Drugs, Taxes, and more from a public policy standpoint? We can all think critically about these subjects even if we are not experts in a specific area, but are we thinking biblically about them? Or is it possible that, as believers with a biblical worldview, we still need to thoroughly consider our approach to these subjects in light of how Jesus handled the relevant situations of His day?  Should we not at least consider the possibility that our approach is influenced more by the world’s norms and ethics than by Jesus? Is it possible that what Jesus said then could still have a powerful impact on today’s politics in precisely the place where ethics meets public policy? I think so.  Consider what Jesus said to believers who were in a country occupied by a foreign superpower:  "Observe those who bring about harmonious relationships between opposing people; they assuredly are fortuned with the 'good life,' for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God."   The good life. You know, the kind of blessed life everybody desires to have.   Jesus says it is for the peacemakers.   Not the Machiavellian power colluders playing all the right angles, scheming for all the advantages, and securing whatever they can for themselves.  No, not them. And not the moral legalists, either, who are diligent about keeping themselves untarnished by the messiness of life. No, not them. Nor the armed revolutionaries, confident in their just cause. No, to Jesus, the good life, the blessed life, belongs to those who step into the messiness of life and attempt to bring about some harmony from the conflict.   Those folks, the risk takers, they’re living the ‘good life.’ Will they be successful in their attempts for peace? Perhaps.  That doesn’t diminish their flourishing because it is in the doing, not necessarily in the successful outcome.   Those in conflict may have reasons to want to keep the conflict alive.  Consider the foreign military officer, the Roman commander, and the local revolutionary fighter, the Jewish Zealot.  One or both of them may have seemingly rational reasons for not wanting peace.   Nevertheless, a peacemaker will try to bring these two opposing sides together in some harmonious relationship.  This is no trivial matter.   Even if those two directly involved truly appreciate the peacemaker, many others within the broader sphere of political influence may not be so pleased. Okay, so what’s the point? Everyone has reasons to justify their strong positions of opposition against one another. Roman commander vs Jewish Zealot; Democrat vs. Republican. The list could go on and on and always will.  Why? Because divisiveness is easy.“Staying out of it” is easy.Apathy is easy.But peacemaking is not.It wasn’t then. It isn’t now. But it does lead to the Good Life. Don’t we believers want as much of it as possible?  We must reconsider how our worldview shapes our approach to today's relevant, often contentious subjects, and how to engage those entrenched in political opposition, which sometimes includes ourselves.  #CultureQuestioning #KingdomBuilding #DiscipleMaking

Religion & Spirituality

Christianity

Do we, Christians, support public policies that are incongruent with a biblical worldview? And if so, how would we know? How should a biblical worldview inform our approach to Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, Illegal Drugs, Taxes, and more from a public policy standpoint? We can all think critically about these subjects even if we are not experts in a specific area, but are we thinking biblically about them? Or is it possible that, as believers with a biblical worldview, we still need to thoroughly consider our approach to these subjects in light of how Jesus handled the relevant situations of His day? Should we not at least consider the possibility that our approach is influenced more by the world’s norms and ethics than by Jesus? Is it possible that what Jesus said then could still have a powerful impact on today’s politics in precisely the place where ethics meets public policy? I think so. Consider what Jesus said to believers who were in a country occupied by a foreign superpower: "Observe those who bring about harmonious relationships between opposing people; they assuredly are fortuned with the 'good life,' for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God." The good life. You know, the kind of blessed life everybody desires to have. Jesus says it is for the peacemakers. Not the Machiavellian power colluders playing all the right angles, scheming for all the advantages, and securing whatever they can for themselves. No, not them. And not the moral legalists, either, who are diligent about keeping themselves untarnished by the messiness of life. No, not them. Nor the armed revolutionaries, confident in their just cause. No, to Jesus, the good life, the blessed life, belongs to those who step into the messiness of life and attempt to bring about some harmony from the conflict. Those folks, the risk takers, they’re living the ‘good life.’ Will they be successful in their attempts for peace? Perhaps. That doesn’t diminish their flourishing because it is in the doing, not necessarily in the successful outcome. Those in conflict may have reasons to want to keep the conflict alive. Consider the foreign military officer, the Roman commander, and the local revolutionary fighter, the Jewish Zealot. One or both of them may have seemingly rational reasons for not wanting peace. Nevertheless, a peacemaker will try to bring these two opposing sides together in some harmonious relationship. This is no trivial matter. Even if those two directly involved truly appreciate the peacemaker, many others within the broader sphere of political influence may not be so pleased. Okay, so what’s the point? Everyone has reasons to justify their strong positions of opposition against one another. Roman commander vs Jewish Zealot; Democrat vs. Republican. The list could go on and on and always will. Why? Because divisiveness is easy. “Staying out of it” is easy. Apathy is easy. But peacemaking is not. It wasn’t then. It isn’t now. But it does lead to the Good Life. Don’t we believers want as much of it as possible? We must reconsider how our worldview shapes our approach to today's relevant, often contentious subjects, and how to engage those entrenched in political opposition, which sometimes includes ourselves. #CultureQuestioning #KingdomBuilding #DiscipleMaking

Do we, Christians, support public policies that are incongruent with a biblical worldview? And if so, how would we know? How should a biblical worldview inform our approach to Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, Illegal Drugs, Taxes, and more from a public policy standpoint? We can all think critically about these subjects even if we are not experts in a specific area, but are we thinking biblically about them? Or is it possible that, as believers with a biblical worldview, we still need to thoroughly consider our approach to these subjects in light of how Jesus handled the relevant situations of His day?&nbsp; Should we not at least consider the possibility that our approach is influenced more by the world’s norms and ethics than by Jesus? Is it possible that what Jesus said then could still have a powerful impact on today’s politics in precisely the place where ethics meets public policy? I think so.&nbsp; Consider what Jesus said to believers who were in a country occupied by a foreign superpower:&nbsp; "Observe those who bring about harmonious relationships between opposing people; they assuredly are fortuned with the 'good life,' for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God." &nbsp; The good life. You know, the kind of blessed life everybody desires to have. &nbsp; Jesus says it is for the peacemakers. &nbsp; Not the Machiavellian power colluders playing all the right angles, scheming for all the advantages, and securing whatever they can for themselves.&nbsp; No, not them. And not the moral legalists, either, who are diligent about keeping themselves untarnished by the messiness of life. No, not them. Nor the armed revolutionaries, confident in their just cause. No, to Jesus, the good life, the blessed life, belongs to those who step into the messiness of life and attempt to bring about some harmony from the conflict. &nbsp; Those folks, the risk takers, they’re living the ‘good life.’ Will they be successful in their attempts for peace? Perhaps.&nbsp; That doesn’t diminish their flourishing because it is in the doing, not necessarily in the successful outcome. &nbsp; Those in conflict may have reasons to want to keep the conflict alive.&nbsp; Consider the foreign military officer, the Roman commander, and the local revolutionary fighter, the Jewish Zealot.&nbsp; One or both of them may have seemingly rational reasons for not wanting peace. &nbsp; Nevertheless, a peacemaker will try to bring these two opposing sides together in some harmonious relationship.&nbsp; This is no trivial matter. &nbsp; Even if those two directly involved truly appreciate the peacemaker, many others within the broader sphere of political influence may not be so pleased. Okay, so what’s the point? Everyone has reasons to justify their strong positions of opposition against one another. Roman commander vs Jewish Zealot; Democrat vs. Republican. The list could go on and on and always will.&nbsp; Why? Because divisiveness is easy.“Staying out of it” is easy.Apathy is easy.But peacemaking is not.It wasn’t then. It isn’t now. But it does lead to the Good Life. Don’t we believers want as much of it as possible?&nbsp; We must reconsider how our worldview shapes our approach to today's relevant, often contentious subjects, and how to engage those entrenched in political opposition, which sometimes includes ourselves.&nbsp; #CultureQuestioning #KingdomBuilding #DiscipleMaking

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Episode 12: Just a Thinker | Episode 0012 | Does Congregation Size Help or Hinder the Gospel?

Episode 12: Just a Thinker | Episode 0012 | Does Congregation Size Help or Hinder the Gospel?