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More on persecution (not moron persecution)

Jan 6th, 2006
by Michael Krahn.
Maybe persecution is essential to a healthy church…

Maybe we were never meant to establish and earthly kingdom based on biblical principles…

Maybe we were always meant to live in hostile surroundings and experience the perpetual purifying effects of constant persecution and avoid becoming the lumbering, gluttonous, Laodocian beast that we have become. Did we not found these nations on Biblical principles? Or were they founded on prosperity gospel philosophies disguised as liberty?
We should quite possibly be thanking God for the current reversion of our culture to non-Christian ideals.The net effect just might be to unite what has been separated for so many centuries. For far too long we’ve hidden the true light in the artificial glare of a nation that is Godly in appearance only. So let the darkness come, Thy will be done, and maybe then our true lights will be seen.
www.michaelkrahn.com

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  • <![CDATA[Chyntt]]>

    Michael wrote:
    “Maybe we were never meant to establish and (sic) earthly kingdom based on biblical principles…”.

    But the kingdom has been established.

    Too many people think of God’s Kingdom as a nationality-type thing, with a physical capital in a physical land mass (e.g. Jerusalem) with supporting governmental structures. But no, it’s a Reign-of-God thing. The ideal is for the population of the earth to submit to God; when everyone does right, then there will be no need for those governmental structures.

    That’s what Jesus wants. It’s just that our sinful natures get in the way, and we’re thus left with the hostile surroundings you mention.

    Having said that, I agree with you; a Christ-unfriendly culture is likely to purify the church, and strengthen it, and make its light more visible.

    Interesting post.

  • <![CDATA[Chyntt]]>

    “not moron persecution”.

    Whew! Missed me by that much….

  • <![CDATA[Michael Krahn]]>

    Hi Chyntt,

    Having written that post over a year ago and looking back I’d say my theology of the kingdom is expanded and more defined.

    I guess what I was wondering at the time is how Jesus would have responded to our founding fathers. Did/does he want great amounts of effort spent by Christians on establishing earthly, physical kingdoms?

    I’m still wondering I guess. What do you think?

  • <![CDATA[Chyntt]]>

    Michael wrote:
    “Did/does [Jesus] want great amounts of effort spent by Christians on establishing earthly, physical kingdoms?”

    I’d have to say “No; he doesn’t want us to spend time on establishing earthly, physical kingdoms.”

    And I’d like to emphasize that my earlier comment was not meant to imply that we should be looking for an earthly kingdom.

    Jesus himself said, when being questioned by Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36)

    But I do believe Jesus does “want great amounts of effort spent by Christians on” submitting to the Kingship of God, and on establishing that Kingship in the hearts and minds of other humans. (And the side effect of that is that earthly kingdoms would largely become irrelevant then, as each person does what is right by God’s standards rather than by the standards of various nation/state laws.)

    That’s my understanding (though let it be known, that when it comes down to it, I’m a man with little understanding of the things of God).