Before I graduate seminary, I have to construct a doctrinal statement of all that I believe on several major systematic doctrines: revelation, sin, creation, Trinity, Jesus, etc.
In that vein, I've kind of begun a personal venture to construct a systematic theology of various political issues. Where do I go in Scripture to find different reflections and contributions to various political issues of our day? This has been my endeavor, and it is a joint venture that I am doing with my Sunday school class at church. What issues does God care about? How do we prioritize those issues? So, I've begun this process, and my beginning stages are below. They fall in order of how I think a Christian should prioritize issues. So, a Christian engagement is the logical first place to begin, and then I begin with life issues, etc. What else would you add to this list? How else would you rearrange it?
1. Christian affirmation of the role of government
-Romans 13:1-7- God institutes civil govt., respect authority, pay taxes
-1 Pet. 2:13-17 - Same as above, honor the king but fear God first.
-1 Timothy 2:1-7- Pray for leaders in order to live peacably amidst turbulence
-Matthew 22:21- Jesus says we give to Caeser what is his
-John 18:36- Jesus' kingdom not from this world but....
-Matthew 6:9- it affects this world significantly (and can through civil govt.)
-Belgic and Westminster Confessions on Civil Government
-1 Sam. 8:4-21- Humans can and probably will abuse power in high govt. office, but it still exists
2. Life, Shedding of Innocent Blood
-Leviticus 18:21- God condemns infanticide
-Deuteronomy 19:10- Do not shed innocent blood (could this include in war?)
-Ezekiel 35:6- same as above
-James 1:27- Caring for the most helpless in society- this especially includes the unborn, but may also include the unborn's mother that lives in poverty. Might this also include those without healthcare and can't afford it?
-Gen. 1:27, Gen. 9:6; James 3:9- ALL humans are made in the image of God and ought to be protected
3. Justice and Righteousness Issues- Immigration, Healthcare, Homelessness, Taxation. (I want to eventually provide more specific ramifications on each issue, and other issues not included here)
Isaiah 2-12- What is God’s ideal for civil rule via the Messiah's rule
a. Is. 9:6-7- God will rule peacably with justice and righteousness
b. Is. 10:1-4- Unjust laws on the poor, oppressive decrees, deprive poor rights, robbing widows and orphans, (I believe God will severaly judge those who passed Oklahoma’s anti-immigration law back in January; I believe God will also severely judge creditors, pay-day lenders, and some insurance companies for how they prey on the poor)
c. Is. 11:1-4- The poor and needy matter in God’s rule
d. Leviticus 20:7-21- Sexual ethics are important to the civil govt.
e. Daniel Carroll's book on the bible and immigration
4. Environmental stewardship
-Gen. 1:26-28- Humans must steward the earth well
-Gen. 2- Adam commanded to tend to creation
-Jubilee (I still need to compile various texts here)- The land gets a break from work
-Psalm 19:1-4- God speaks through creation
5. Character of the Leader
The entire books of 1 and 2 Kings, Isaiah, and Daniel
So, help me out a little bit.
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2 comments:
You can't have a systematic treatment of political theology w/o including just war/pacifism as a major category. Obviously, it's difficult to include, considering how Xians disagree, but it's gotta be there. The military role of gov't is too significant to relegate to subpoints.
Also, I would split #1 into two - one of affirmation, one of skepticism (the latter incl. Jn. 18:36, 1 Sam 8, anything from OT or NT about "Babylon," sum'n about the corrupting influence of power, etc.).
In the systematic vein, I think we really need to tease out the implications of 3.c in light of different political philosophies (capitalism, socialism...). This will take us beyond the Bible & into the realm of economics. We need more people like Michael Novak - those who are theologically astute trained economists. (This is one of those things I don't find in the Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Ron Sider, etc. folks - is there a Christian economist who comes down on the Christian left? If so, I would love to read their stuff.)
Yep,
And as for the economics thing, it is one thing I aspire to, if you couldn't tell from this blog already.
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