The politics of Jesus

Dunemeister · #1 06-24-2008, 03:44 PM

The title of this thread is taken from a book by the same name which I've just finished reading. I'd like to discuss some of its ideas and contents. This thread is open to anyone regardless of political or religious leanings.

Before I present any positive case, I'd like to start off by asking a questions, just to see where people stand, especially Christians (although others are welcome to join in).

Are Jesus and his ministry relevant to social/political/economic, as opposed to just personal, ethics? If so, in what ways? Or is Jesus only relevant to personal ethics?

9-10ths_Penguin · #2 06-24-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunemeister

The title of this thread is taken from a book by the same name which I've just finished reading. I'd like to discuss some of its ideas and contents. This thread is open to anyone regardless of political or religious leanings.

Before I present any positive case, I'd like to start off by asking a questions, just to see where people stand, especially Christians (although others are welcome to join in).

Are Jesus and his ministry relevant to social/political/economic, as opposed to just personal, ethics? If so, in what ways? Or is Jesus only relevant to personal ethics?

Yes, I think they are relevant. It'd be hard to live by the Sermon on the Mount and not have it affect your dealings with others at every level, IMO.

Dunemeister · #3 06-24-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

Yes, I think they are relevant. It'd be hard to live by the Sermon on the Mount and not have it affect your dealings with others at every level, IMO.

How so?

stephenw · #4 06-24-2008, 03:53 PM

I can see the line from Christianity to socialism

Dunemeister · #5 06-24-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenw

I can see the line from Christianity to socialism

How is that line drawn?

9-10ths_Penguin · #6 06-24-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunemeister

How so?

I can come up with a list of social movements, governmental laws and economic policies that run contrary to the ideals of meekness, mercy, peacemaking, etc., and I think commands like "offer no resistance to one who is evil", and "love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" would result in major change if they were actually reflected in a government's foreign policy. On top of this, the sermon (in Matt 5:16) says to me that it's the duty of Christians to enact the principles that Jesus speaks of so that the world can see them.

Also (and I have to blame my bad memory, because I thought it was in the Sermon on the Mount, but it's not), there's Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me." I think if governments (and corporations, and people generally) took into account the impacts of their decisions on the most disadvantaged members of our society, the world would be very different.

9-10ths_Penguin · #7 06-24-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunemeister

How is that line drawn?

Right through Acts 4 & 5, according to my map, especially Acts 4:32-35:

Quote:

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

- no personal property
- distribution of wealth by the decisions of a central authority
- "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs"

... sounds like either socialism or communism to me.

However, this is getting outside the Gospel and the direct teachings of Jesus.

Dunemeister · #8 06-24-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

However, this is getting outside the Gospel and the direct teachings of Jesus.

Well, that depends on whether you view the NT as expressing the direct teachings of Jesus. Besides, even in the gospels, we don't have Jesus' direct teachings. We have "The Gospel according to X". But I appreciate your concern to keep the discussion focussed on Jesus.