Theocracy is Best

The best method of government is theocracy. Theocracy is the rule of God (theos kratos = god rule).

Theocracy is the same as the Kingdom of God. Kings rule over kingdoms. God is king of the Kingdom of God, so he rules in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the same as the rule of God. Christians believe in the Kingdom of God, so we should be supporters of theocracy and not democracy.

For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
it is he who will save us.
Isaiah 33:22

The rule of God is the best, because it is the only way to blessing. There are two legitimate ways to get theocracy. The easiest way is to have a constitution that requires all politicians to swear an oath of allegiance to God, before taking office. The alternative is for the church to preach the gospel to rulers and win them for the Lord.

Who is Boss

Ron Paul a United States Congressman made the following comment (see his full statement here).

Historically, religion always represented a threat to government because it competes for the loyalties of the people. In modern America, however, most religious institutions abandoned their independence long ago, and now serve as cheerleaders for state policies like social services, faith-based welfare, and military aggression in the name of democracy. Few American churches challenge state actions at all, provided their tax-exempt status is maintained. This is why Washington politicians ostensibly celebrate religion – it no longer threatens their supremacy. Government has co-opted religion and family as the primary organizing principle of our society. The federal government is boss, and everybody knows it.

Christians should wake up!

New Foundations

We are self-consciously attempting to lay new intellectual foundations for a comprehensive moral and therefore intellectual, social, political, and economic transformation of the world. Not until at least the preliminary steps in this theological and intellectual transformation are accomplished can we expect God to send worldwide revival. If the coming revival is not comprehensive in its effects, it will no more change the world permanently than earlier revivals have changed it permanently. The regeneration of people’s souls is only the first step on the road to comprehensive redemption….. We need a comprehensive revival that will produce comprehensive redemption.

We must understand from the beginning that the message of the kingdom of God rests on a concept of salvation which is supernaturally imparted, not political y imparted. The kingdom of God is categorically not a narrow political program of social transformation; it is rather a supernaturally imposed salvational program that inevitably produces world-changing political, social, legal, and economic effects.
The primary need, today as always, is the need for widespread personal repentance before God. We therefore need a Holy Spirit initiated Christian revival to extend the kingdom of God across the face of the earth.

from Gary North, Political Polytheism pp 610-611.

The Oath of Allegiance

There are two ways that a theocracy can be established. The easiest way is for the church to preach the gospel to rulers and win them for the Lord. Christian pastors and prophets would then need to teach them how to serve God in their political role.

The other way is to have a constitution that requires all politicians to swear an oath of allegiance to God, before taking office. This would ensure that only those who are willing to obey God could get into positions of political power. This approach is only practical where the majority of people are Christian and want to serve God.

Most political leaders are required to declare an oath when they enter office. In the United States, political leaders swear that they will defend the constitution. In New Zealand, politicians declare an oath of allegiance to the Queen. The Israelites swore an oath that they would serve God and obey his laws (Deut 27,28).

Oaths are important aspect of God’s covenant. Our response to God’s covenant offer is agreement to serve him and accept the consequence of any disobedience. An oath of allegiance to God is not just a declaration that we will serve God. It speaks of acceptance of his blessings and a willingness to accept the consequences of disobedience. An oath calls down God’s positive and negative sanctions.

Oaths of allegiance to the people, a constitution or a sovereign are unbiblical, as only God cannot demand our total allegiance. They should be replaced by an oath of allegiance to God. A nation that adopts this practice is declaring that it will only be ruled by men and women who have chosen to serve God and live under his covenant.

Monopoly Justice

The police recently told a dairy owner they did not have the resources to investigate a theft that he had reported. He gave the police a video of the crime and the name of the thief, but they refused to act. In another case, the police refused to investigate a theft from a car yard.

God has given the power of the sword to the state: defence and justice are its only responsibility. The modern state has rebelled against God's will. It has demands a monopoly over justice, but then refuses to provide justice to its citizens. Taxpayer money is spent on a variety of causes to buy popularity, but justice is neglected. We hear of many situations, where the police refuse to investigate a theft, because the amount stolen is too small. Monopoly Justice is not true justice.

Protection

A squad of soldiers sent into battle does not meander around like Brown's cows. They stay close together, and position themselves strategically, so they can provide protection for each other. When they enter the enemies territory they are especially careful. The leader does not advance, unless he is fully covered by the the rest of the squad. When they rest, one of the soldiers always takes watch.

When I hear that a Christian leader has fallen into sin, I am saddened. I cannot help wondering if he was standing out in front of the battle with no one covering him. Those who stand against evil in the world are really vulnerable. They need strong Christians standing beside them, to provide protection from the enemy's spiritual counter attacks.

Church and World

Radical difference between the church and the world should be normal.

Daily Cross

I was sad when I saw on the Television news old men in Jerusalem carrying a cross and young men in the Philippines crucifying themselves. While they are sincere, they seem to be missing the main point of the cross: that Jesus died on the cross for us, so we do not need to do these things for ourselves. We must always be careful about slipping back into earning our own salvation, as that is a thankless and hopeless task. The best celebration of the cross is a life of peace and joy that comes from knowing the forgiveness of all sin and failure.

I am not sure about having a special day to remember the cross. We need to remember the cross, every time we sin. And for me that is fairly often.

Location, Location, Location

Church is something we are, not something we can attend. To be the body of Christ in the place where we live, we must live close to the rest of the body. Our Church should be a central part of our being, so we must belong where it is.

Each Church should be attached to a particular locality, so there can be as many Churches as there are different localities. Ideally, there should be one Church in each location and each location should have one Church. To have a number of different kinds of church in the same locality is inconsistent with the New Testament (from Being Church Where We Live).

Ascension Ministries

Much has been written and said about the restoration of the ascension ministries. Yet, most evangelists are still in para-church organisations and few churches have a functioning evangelist. Most prophets are still in the wilderness, while very few churches have an authentic prophetic ministry. Pastors are everywhere, but very few Christians are being effectively discipled (pastored). Most modern apostles look like traditional bishops, with more of the Spirit, and less of the regalia. Being Church Where We Live explains that the ascension ministries are just roles undertaken by elders. By bring these giftings “down to earth”, they become relevant to all Christians, rather than being limited to a few superstars.

The unintended consequence of the modern pastor/leader model is a desperate shortage of real pastoring in the modern church. Inadequate pastoring means that only a fraction of new Christians are fully discipled and even fewer move into a ministry. Many churches are full of half-done Christians and many get lost and fall away each year.

Most pastor/leaders are wonderful, dedicated, loving, enthusiastic people, but they are spread too thin. A weekly sermon, a monthly chat and a program once a year will not defeat evil attacks and transform lives. The inevitable result is a few very exhausted pastor/leaders, far more frustrated potential pastors, and a large number of immature and defeated Christians. Being Church Where We Live provides a ministry model that will ensure that every believe has a real shepherd.

Children

A problem that the church has never resolved is what to do with the children of believers. Some young people with Christian parents have grown up always believing in Jesus and wanting to serve him. How should they be initiated into the Church? Infant baptism was one solution that proved unworkable. The modern church tends to want children to rebel, so that they can be converted and baptised as believers, but this does not seem right either. We need a recognised path for children who love Jesus.

Numbers and Success

Numerical growth is not a true indication of a successful church. Success should not be measured by numbers. A truly successful Church is one where believers are growing into maturity and a ministry and where strong relationships are being formed.

God's Team

The word "Church" now has so much baggage that it is no longer a very useful word. I sometimes think that the word "team" would be a more meaningful name for what we are.

• A team has a common purpose or goal.
• A team meets and trains together.
• Every member of the team has a different, but essential role.
• If a team member does not perform, the whole team is weakened.
• A team functions best when every member of the team follows the coach's plan.

Perhaps we should start thinking of ourselves as "God's team" in the place where we live.

Silent before the Beast

Christians should be leading the battle against the power of the state. Faith in God and providence should have made them impervious to the states promises of cradle to grave security. The Bible repeatedly warns of the dangers of political powers (beasts) that will arise and oppose the purposes of God. The early Christians heeded these warnings and struggled against the “powers that be”; whenever they exceeded their authority. In contrast, modern Christians are strangely acquiescent in the face of massive state power. They are often the best cheer leaders for this emerging beast.

Whereas Jesus and the early disciples followed the example of the OT prophets and were willing to challenge illegitimate state power, the modern church is producing Christians who are trained in compliance. Most new Christians have handed authority over much of their lives to church leaders who tell them what to believe and what to do. They have been taught to blindly submit to that hierarchical authority that controls much of the modern church. Compliant, “Yes men” are not well placed to lead the battle against state power.

Spiritual Protection

Despite the victory of the cross, Christians everywhere are being battered and decimated by sickness and the trials of life. This suggests that there is something desperately wrong with our spiritual protection.

Despite being engaged in a spiritual battle, most Christians do not know how to protect themselves from evil attack. Some go over the top and see evil spirits everywhere, and others just ignore evil. The result is that many Christians are weakened or defeated by the forces of evil.

An army would not send soldiers into battle without teaching them how to defend themselves against attack. To be effective in serving the Lord, we must be experts on Spiritual Protection.

For an effective defence against evil, I need Christians friends to:

• Encourage me in ministry
• Stand with me against evil attacks
• Warn me of bad decisions
• Challenge my besetting sins
• Comfort me in trouble

What Would Jesus Change

A friend asked, "What aspects of our lives are shaped by the world, rather than the gospel?" Here is my answer.

Consumerism
Serving our status
Maintaining our comfort
Strengthening selfishness

Individualism and Independence
High fences around our houses
Unknown neighbours
A room for every family member
Sorting our own problems

Working hard at Working
Most of our lives spent at work
Often at work we do not like
Often doing things that are not part of our calling

Faith in the State Divine
Trusting the state to solve every problem
"The government should do something about it", we say
Giving the state authority to decide right and wrong
Allowing the state to take half of all that we earn

Toleration of Trash
Inability to discern evil
Evil called good and good called evil
Acceptance of marginal advertising
Silence as the beast emerges

Doctors first, God second
Faith in drugs
Reliance on remedies
Salvation by surgeons