A theocracy will never work except under Christ during the…

6 years ago • March 4, 2021 • by ourCOG

A theocracy will never work except under Christ during the Millennium. I dread a government run by “Christians”. Look at the Inquisition for hints as to how that would go. But at the same time secular government also has its problems. But at least with secular government there is the possibility of freedom of expression, which is very important. We may not like it that homosexuals, and other “sinners”, can freely live as they choose, but their freedom to live as they choose also guarantees our freedom to live as we choose.

Scripture to think about while examining this matter…

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
– Romans 13:1

Jesus answered [speaking to Pilate], “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
– John 19:11

By me kings reign…
– Proverbs 8:15

…he removes kings, and sets up kings…
– Daniel 2:21

Then God removed Saul and made David their king…
— Acts 13:22

No one … can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
– Psalms 75:6-7

…the Most High has power over human kingdoms. He gives them to whomever he wishes.
– Daniel 4:17

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.
– Proverbs 21:1

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron…
– Exodus 9:12

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority…
– 1 Peter 2:13

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves… For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
– Romans 13:2-5

They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval.
– Hosea 8:4

Categories: #ourCOG

Discussion

35 comments

Johny Goodwin says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:27 am

Is Christ reigning now or not until some future millennium?

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Tommy S. Hancock says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:29 am

.
Referring to the U.S. form of government John Adam’s, 2nd POTUS, said it would only work for a “religious and moral” people.

G. Washington said essentially the same thing, and it was a repeated theme among other founders.

Without Christianity and the Biblle there would not be the U.S. that so many of us cherish.

It remains to be seen whether without this same influence there will be a U.S. worth chershing.

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Георги Григоровъ says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:39 am

It’s one thing supporting democracy instead of monarchism, and it’s a completely different thing trying to make it look like monarchism is unchristian

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Jason Edward Miller says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:47 am

But surprisingly Augustine and Aquinas argued against criminalization of smaller private sins like prostitution. Yet not making an excuse for the sins themselves.

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Larry Koester says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:52 am

I agree. We some of thiswith republic answhich seem to think they are the Christian party. Unfortunately a lot off Christian who see themselves as Democrats think socialism is the gosep in practise.

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Karl Ernst Von Buddenbrock says:

May 13, 2020 at 11:59 am

I think the reaction to Inquisition and Crusades (as bad as they were) is grotesquely hyped. 3000 people died as a result of the Inquisition. The Crusades were political ploys using religion. I agree with separation of church and state, but it’s to protect the church from secular states. I don’t like what Jefferson did, but that was a good move. Societies governed by Christian principles completely outperform those that don’t. So while theocracy us a pipe dream before the millenium, Christianity must have considerable influence. It’s an antagonistic relationship, never harmonious, but necessary during the fading kingdom.

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Judah Orpheus says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:06 pm

For me there is only one true theocracy, that is the Divine kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ’s. All worldly systems are a type or shadow of Christ’s kingdom. Man cannot rule effectively due to the nature of sin, once he did, before his fall, so we look to this worlds current crisis, I thank God, that Jesus is enthroned, and that God the father is Soveriegn.

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Steven Wells says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:07 pm

That is silly. It could work with wise contemporary foreward thinking men a day women? The inquisition? I mean really

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Steven Wells says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:07 pm

Men and women sorry typo

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Frankie Casa de Lobos says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:19 pm

Am I to understand that we should never rise up against injustice ? Or speak for the fatherless and widows ? Are we to submit to laws that go against the very nature of God? Didn’t daniel refuse to bow down and worship the statue while he was in Babylon ? Wasn’t Shiprah and Puah blessed by God for refusing the orders of pharaoh? We are to submit to laws when they are directly connected to love for neighbor as for yourself.

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Marshall Courtney Sr. says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:32 pm

So you’d read the people who believe in loving God loving your neighbor and loving your enemy running the world you would much rather have people just doing what is right according to their own eyes you tell me which World sounds better

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David Janaro says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:40 pm

There is no reason why a government run by Christians would ever be a theocracy. This is a false dichotomy. The reason we enjoy so many freedoms is because our government was set up by people operating under Christian principles.

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Brad Hopkins says:

May 13, 2020 at 12:41 pm

The people instigating the inquisition were Not Christians! They may have called themselves Christians, but they were not!

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Michael Luna says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:13 pm

It’s interesting to look at which societies suffered more, hyper-religious or hyper-secular. China killed 50 million people last century. That’s pretty impressive by any standard.

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Eric OConnor says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:21 pm

So it is your belief then, that America is based on rebellion against God? So at it’s forming an anti Christ nation?

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James Gore says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:28 pm

I agree and disagree. A theocracy needs a leader, but often as we have seen with the Popes that often goes wrong. Which Christians would we have as leaders? Who do you think would get the most votes Osteen or MacArthur?

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Stephen Barackman says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:32 pm

gays may live freely and christians may live freely until that christian baker, photographer or florist decides they cannot in good conscience support gay marriage, then all bets are off! and the christian gets sued, take to court, villified, business ruined because they did not fully support gay marriage

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Dan Richards says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:37 pm

Right. A theocracy is not a government run by Christians or people of any other religion. It’s a government run by God.

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Dana Salomon says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:51 pm

The Puritans tried to impose theocracy based on their understanding about God and were also cruel…they had mandatory tithes and kicked people out of town if they did not agree with them…and there weren’t other towns or civilization nearby.

Paul also wrote, ‘as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men.’ Powerful and wise advice.

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Lawrence Gough says:

May 13, 2020 at 1:57 pm

In the USA you have no government that has authority over you unless you take a position in the government you are free of that burden.

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C Lance Trussell says:

May 13, 2020 at 2:04 pm

While not desiring a theocracy I would point out that secular governments have proven far worse. In terms of stifling freedoms and outright killing of citizens theocracies don’t even come close. About 3,000 people died in the inquisition Mao killed 60 million in China. A nation such as ours with “guaranteed” freedoms that allows religions to thrive on their own accords without government interference is the best way to ensure the rights of it citizens.

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Dianne Witzell says:

May 13, 2020 at 2:45 pm

“We may not like it that homosexuals, and other “sinners”, can freely live as they choose, but their freedom to live as they choose also guarantees our freedom to live as we choose.”

Based on what is happening now, your statement is true only in the short term. Because it hasn’t been enough for the LGBTQ+ crowd that they have the liberty to live as they choose. They want to be able to 1) live as they choose, 2) force us to celebrate their choices, and 3) take away our rights to live in accordance to God’s Word and freely express our faith.

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Edward Alhassan says:

May 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm

Any law or rule that is contrary to the word of God should be rejected.
Acts 5:28-29 (KJV)
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

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Angwang Martin Abajuh says:

May 13, 2020 at 3:45 pm

This write up would have made much sense but for the implication that God the Father is the One who has chosen the rulers of the World. That was before, when THE FREE WILL OF MEN STILL CORRESPONDED TO, OR ALIGNED LARGELY WITH THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER!
That is no longer the case; the Will of God Almighty no longer reigns in the World, almost completely! It is the Will of men, in its perversity that reigns; that installs these largely, and evident agents and tools of darkness as leaders! By implication, their leadership leads Mankind to only one direction, destruction, and only a very naive and rigid person can discern otherwise! Therefore, far from deceiving themselves that they are God Chosen, and therefore untouchable, above reproach, there has never been a greater urgency for Christians to turn against them and unseat them, fundamentally by enforcing the Will of God Almighty in their lives!

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Caleb Backholm says:

May 13, 2020 at 3:51 pm

A secular government is a bad idea. What you are looking for is a neutral government, like what the United States is designed to be.

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Samantha Finch-Finchley says:

May 13, 2020 at 4:25 pm

I do not want the church running anything. It’s one thing to have Christians involved in politics and another for an entire religious institution to run a country. If we go down that road the flip side can also happen. Want the church of Satan running things?

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John Lca says:

May 13, 2020 at 4:48 pm

To form a better Union………….

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Wayne Capell says:

May 13, 2020 at 5:55 pm

The difficulties for Christian people to achieve such high office is that biblical morality and personal values are not popular. Biblical Christianity does not permit the compromise necessary to gain sufficient popular votes to win office and retain office.

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Wayne Capell says:

May 13, 2020 at 5:56 pm

We do not want to be dictated to by religious organizations we want to live in accordance with the Word of God.

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Argentino PowtotheChow Escuyos says:

May 13, 2020 at 6:14 pm

King David didn’t do too bad, but in the church age yes there ought to be separation of church and state.

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Kathy DeVoss says:

May 13, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Remember that the Hebrew midwives practiced civil disobedience

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Scott Shifferd says:

May 14, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Israel had an ancient republic (Deut 1:13-18).

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (DofI).

A secular government does not recognize religious rights when it cannot recognize God.

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Michael Strycula says:

May 16, 2020 at 1:37 pm

We need only to look at history. Calvin in Geneva circa de 1555ad.

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Michael Strycula says:

May 16, 2020 at 1:38 pm

I can see why Jesus didn’t like the Pharisees.

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