Yes, it is a particular example…one among many that together paint a consistent and comprehensive picture of good and bad leadership traits, irrespective of actual title (as seen in modern management and leadership theory). It’s not complicated.
Scripture is full of examples on how we are to identify and choose sound leaders. Exodus 18:21 is but one of many examples:
“…select capable men from all people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.”
There’s a difference between voting “based on Christianity” versus voting based on scriptural definitions (largely found in the pre-Christian Old Testament) of fit and unfit rulers—definitions that are shared by other faiths and modern leadership and management theory.
This passage stands on its own, but it addresses a different topic: submission to authority, which only comes to power through the permissive will of God (whether it be Biden, Trump, Obama, or other). It does not address the attributes of good and bad leaders, and God’s permissive will has...
Agreed. If Christians focused on adopting children and supporting single pregnant mothers in need as much as they focus on trying to legislate the issue of abortion, we’d have no orphanages in the U.S. and the “pro-life” conversation would be very different.
Yes, but what people say or believe or feel dodges the point: is their support biblical or not when it comes to clear definitions in scripture of fit and unfit rulers. (Trying to legislate hearts, sin, is folly, and that is what people do when they choose a candidate in hopes of furthering a...
Agreed, but we are not discussing righteousness or verses lifted out of context. We are talking about scripture that directly addresses leadership, fit versus unfit rulers.
Some prominent theologians have come to the same conclusion and encouraged disengagement (see John Piper, for instance, when in 2020 he seemed to refute John MacArthur’s proclamation, “real Christians will vote for Trump.”) I don’t necessarily agree, though, and tend to fall in line more with...
Aside from parallels in creation narratives that you mention, what aspects of Abrahamic faith do you see as having pagan origins? (I mean actual fundamentals of the faith, as documented in scripture, not later cultural syncretic elements and western add ons like Christmas trees and Hanukkah Harry.)
While Qanon will likely continue to atrophy, the mindset that allowed it to blossom in law enforcement, military (special forces included), legislative, and church circles will not fade so fast, and that—in my view—should be of standing concern.
I’d rather not spoon feed the biblically illiterate, at least not this early in the attempted dialogue. Scripture is perfectly clear on the attributes of a good ruler and what we should look to for leadership role models. If professed Believers are unfamiliar with the tenets of their faith, we...
When the law was changed in 2020 to place political minders in our government agencies—Trump’s creation of the Schedule S Civil Service positions—like you would see in Russia, China, and North Korea, there was no resulting outcry from any corner of American society. Civics ignorance and...
He can no longer control his spawn. If his past behavior is any guide, we may see him modify his position on this—and other issues—to placate the mob and retain favor, and to use his biological children to float trial balloons, like Don Jr.’s recent downplaying of the Bible in what appeared to...
For Christian Trump supporters: please provide a scripturally-based argument for your decision to back this man (without changing the subject to denigrate any opponent), including an explanation for rejecting scripture that clearly casts this person, based on his speech and actions (past and...
Running into more people self-aligning with Neo-Calvinism these days. Two questions that I keep getting the runaround on:
1) Do Calvinists believe that, while they are among the elect, their children may be outside of this elite group?
2) How does election align with the Great Commission...
...just another indicator of the extent of biblical illiteracy in the church today (as was so-called Christian nationalists turning a blind eye to POTUS’ elevation to national levels of recognition individuals who are, by scriptural and orthodox interpretation, heretics and false prophets).