Governments
Democracy
09/11/07 14:22
This from a US citizen who is struggling to reconcile her faith with political systems:
I'm curious what Biblical support there is for democracy as many Christians claim it as the only true biblical model. As far as I can tell, it would probably look more of a monarchy (though not exactly the UK model per say) as Jesus is King, where the last come first (i.e the poor, the broken, oppressed etc.) and first come last. This certainly isn't always evident in democracy and this ideal of individualism.
Though there are also some elements of socialism with some of the collective efforts. For example, the first mention of Christians in Acts 11 from the Church in Antioch did something quite collectivist after accepting Jesus: They provided help to all of Judea, those hit hardest by a famine, each according their ability. Even the first Jewish believers sold their possessions and goods, and gave to anyone who had need. And they became large in numbers (Acts 2:42-47). Yet, if a Christian for example were to propose a policy of this nature in a democracy it would be consider in many cases socialist or communistic.
I'm just curious, because I think there really is a misunderstanding of what's God's system of government really it is. Especially in America. It doesn't really seem to fit under a label in my opinion, and democracy is not a catch all phrase for the government of God. But just my thoughts...what do do you think?
P.S. Also to help on paradigms just a bit as my nationality is American and you are British --- this is what the average far right wing Christian American might say:
"A Socialist system is not a Biblical system,. The UK may enjoy such a system but we Christians in the USA have no use for it." - A retired American pastor
i.e if you help the poor in government policies it's socialist and not "biblical". UK actually has a welfare state, the US does not. So it's promoting the American form of Democracy with privatisation and no welfare. But historically, the British welfare state began with Queen Elizabeth's Poor Law in the 1600s with the giving of alms. It was very much founded on a Biblical model to begin with anyway under a Monarchy system of govt. This is just an example, and I think the government of God can be established in any system.
But I guess my question is, what is the scriptural justification for democracy? It is the most widely exported government system across the nations of the earth. But it is it completely Biblical? Especially with structural adjustment programmes that discourage a welfare state?
i.e. The US in promoting "democracy" in its foreign policies places conditions on nations to cut welfare programmes, and encourage privatisation - which is both the American model and seen as "Christian", and liberating the oppressed. It can be quite the contrary and oppressive to say the least.
Some nations have been completely crippled by the US policies to promote "democracy" allowing for Islam to come and take over- Somalia for example. The political-economic damage was intensified and left the country vulnerable to another government system. Therefore, I don't believe the "American strategy" for promoting democracy was and is always the biblical model. Besides, isn't bringing God's Kingdom into government simply hearing God's voice (strategy) for a government and acting upon it. Which brings me back to my original question: how is democracy - especially the American model justified by scripture?
Answer...
I'm curious what Biblical support there is for democracy as many Christians claim it as the only true biblical model. As far as I can tell, it would probably look more of a monarchy (though not exactly the UK model per say) as Jesus is King, where the last come first (i.e the poor, the broken, oppressed etc.) and first come last. This certainly isn't always evident in democracy and this ideal of individualism.
Though there are also some elements of socialism with some of the collective efforts. For example, the first mention of Christians in Acts 11 from the Church in Antioch did something quite collectivist after accepting Jesus: They provided help to all of Judea, those hit hardest by a famine, each according their ability. Even the first Jewish believers sold their possessions and goods, and gave to anyone who had need. And they became large in numbers (Acts 2:42-47). Yet, if a Christian for example were to propose a policy of this nature in a democracy it would be consider in many cases socialist or communistic.
I'm just curious, because I think there really is a misunderstanding of what's God's system of government really it is. Especially in America. It doesn't really seem to fit under a label in my opinion, and democracy is not a catch all phrase for the government of God. But just my thoughts...what do do you think?
P.S. Also to help on paradigms just a bit as my nationality is American and you are British --- this is what the average far right wing Christian American might say:
"A Socialist system is not a Biblical system,. The UK may enjoy such a system but we Christians in the USA have no use for it." - A retired American pastor
i.e if you help the poor in government policies it's socialist and not "biblical". UK actually has a welfare state, the US does not. So it's promoting the American form of Democracy with privatisation and no welfare. But historically, the British welfare state began with Queen Elizabeth's Poor Law in the 1600s with the giving of alms. It was very much founded on a Biblical model to begin with anyway under a Monarchy system of govt. This is just an example, and I think the government of God can be established in any system.
But I guess my question is, what is the scriptural justification for democracy? It is the most widely exported government system across the nations of the earth. But it is it completely Biblical? Especially with structural adjustment programmes that discourage a welfare state?
i.e. The US in promoting "democracy" in its foreign policies places conditions on nations to cut welfare programmes, and encourage privatisation - which is both the American model and seen as "Christian", and liberating the oppressed. It can be quite the contrary and oppressive to say the least.
Some nations have been completely crippled by the US policies to promote "democracy" allowing for Islam to come and take over- Somalia for example. The political-economic damage was intensified and left the country vulnerable to another government system. Therefore, I don't believe the "American strategy" for promoting democracy was and is always the biblical model. Besides, isn't bringing God's Kingdom into government simply hearing God's voice (strategy) for a government and acting upon it. Which brings me back to my original question: how is democracy - especially the American model justified by scripture?
Answer...
Queen & Faith
09/06/07 14:17
As I understand it the queen of England is the upholder of the Christian faith, and I believe that Charles wants to be the upholder of all faiths if he gets a chance at being king, does the church have the authority to prevent Charles from upholding all faiths or do they have to abide to his requests?
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