"When the church tries to embody the rule of God in the forms of earthly power it may achieve that power, but it is no longer a sign of the Kingdom. But when it goes the way the Master went, unmasking and challenging the powers of darkness and bearing in its own life the cost of their onslaught, then there are given to the Church signs of the Kingdom, powers of healing and blessing which, to eyes of faith, are recognizable as true signs that Jesus reigns. All of this is portrayed in the New Testament as forming the substance of the mission to the nations. The mission is an expression of the authority Jesus has on earth and in heaven as he sits at God's right hand. It is manifest in the powers which the presence of the Spirit confers on the church so that it becomes-both in it's words and deeds--a witness to the reign of Jesus. And mighty works are promised as part of the fulfillment of the mission." -Leslie Newbigin
I have often wondered why the church so often strives to gain political power or any other type of earthly power, Jesus never did. Think about how the church has seen it's mission accomplished in the past under hostile conditions.
Early Christians vs. the Roman Empire
Modern Christians vs. Communist China
Just a few examples of the church with no "power" but relying on God and He did amazing things.
Do we trust Him to do the same now?
Sadly, it seems obvious that we don't trust God and instead strive for cultural and political legitimacy. And power. But we expect good results!
The flip side to the examples of the church 'under hostile conditions' are 'the hostile conditions' created by the church with political power:
The Holy Roman Empire
Feudal Europe
The Crusades
State-church led wars & massacres in Reformation Europe
Afrikaaners/Imperialism in Africa
I know we touched on this in Sunday School a few months back - probably around the time you posted this entry - but it still remains a very relevant question. Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Ronald Taimuty-Loomis | December 08, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I remember a story from The Leadership Summit where an African government tried to kill a missionary several times and God turned the lights off to save his servant.
That said, I don't think the church should seek to be a theocracy or necessarily force morality onto people. I think that if God is God and his people truly act as his people, the laws can be what they will be, but God's will and people will prevail.
Posted by: Alexander Wilhelmsen | May 06, 2013 at 07:55 PM