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Submit to the Emperor?
How am I supposed to live in this world?
State, Economic Order, Family.
READING RESPONSIBLY
We can’t just read Peter’s words as timeless principles to be applied. There is a vastly different context that his original hearers were in compared to the context we are in, as his contemporary hearers.
THEY HAD NO VOICE.
The Christians to whom Peter was writing were a tiny minority with no responsibility whatsoever for the political order.
THEY HAD NO HISTORY.
Between them and us there lies the whole story of the rise and disintegration of Christendom.
THEY HAD NO OPTION.
The dissolution of the given element (State, Work, Arranged Marriage)
Let’s talk about our relationship with the State. Politics would be the top topic of conversation this summer if it weren’t for COVID-19.
6 months until election.
What can we say?
1 . As submitted people, neither revolting nor withdrawing, but Humbly Engaged.
Not revolting…
“Being the representatives of the new order of God’s new creation does not mean that we are free from the old creation, free to overturn the old order. On the contrary, we are to “be subject for the lord’s sake to every human institution”. That is a remarkably all-embracing instruction
Not withdrawing…
“Submit” can be opposite of revolting, but also is the opposite of withdraw. Finding and occupying ones place in society.
Their danger wasn’t in being rebellious but in being absent.
William Temple, “Christianity is the most materialistic of the world’s great religions.”
How do we do this? 3 words: “With great difficulty.”
Local is a key.
“A thing must be local to be real.” - G.K. Chesterton
2. As people freed not for self-determination, but freed for service.
We hear Freedom as self-determination. Freedom is for service.
Freedom - exodus background freedom is for service. “The point of exodus is not freedom in the sense of self-determination, but service, the service of the loving , redeeming, and delivering God of Israel” rather than the proud and self-serving Pharoah.
Martin Luther’s 2 Theses of a book on Freedom. “The Christian is the most free lord of all and subject to none. The Christian is the most dutiful servant of all and subject to everyone.”
Both statements are true. Both of them at full strength and not, as is so often he case, a tasteless mixture of the two.
3. As people who see everything and everyone in relative relationship to Christ the Redeemer.
vs. 17 Honor everyone… Honor the emperor.
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By Missio Dei CommunitiesHow am I supposed to live in this world?
State, Economic Order, Family.
READING RESPONSIBLY
We can’t just read Peter’s words as timeless principles to be applied. There is a vastly different context that his original hearers were in compared to the context we are in, as his contemporary hearers.
THEY HAD NO VOICE.
The Christians to whom Peter was writing were a tiny minority with no responsibility whatsoever for the political order.
THEY HAD NO HISTORY.
Between them and us there lies the whole story of the rise and disintegration of Christendom.
THEY HAD NO OPTION.
The dissolution of the given element (State, Work, Arranged Marriage)
Let’s talk about our relationship with the State. Politics would be the top topic of conversation this summer if it weren’t for COVID-19.
6 months until election.
What can we say?
1 . As submitted people, neither revolting nor withdrawing, but Humbly Engaged.
Not revolting…
“Being the representatives of the new order of God’s new creation does not mean that we are free from the old creation, free to overturn the old order. On the contrary, we are to “be subject for the lord’s sake to every human institution”. That is a remarkably all-embracing instruction
Not withdrawing…
“Submit” can be opposite of revolting, but also is the opposite of withdraw. Finding and occupying ones place in society.
Their danger wasn’t in being rebellious but in being absent.
William Temple, “Christianity is the most materialistic of the world’s great religions.”
How do we do this? 3 words: “With great difficulty.”
Local is a key.
“A thing must be local to be real.” - G.K. Chesterton
2. As people freed not for self-determination, but freed for service.
We hear Freedom as self-determination. Freedom is for service.
Freedom - exodus background freedom is for service. “The point of exodus is not freedom in the sense of self-determination, but service, the service of the loving , redeeming, and delivering God of Israel” rather than the proud and self-serving Pharoah.
Martin Luther’s 2 Theses of a book on Freedom. “The Christian is the most free lord of all and subject to none. The Christian is the most dutiful servant of all and subject to everyone.”
Both statements are true. Both of them at full strength and not, as is so often he case, a tasteless mixture of the two.
3. As people who see everything and everyone in relative relationship to Christ the Redeemer.
vs. 17 Honor everyone… Honor the emperor.