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LIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICSLIGHT IN POLITICS
Dr Toh See Kiat
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BGST Annual Lecture11 July 2008
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Outline 5 parts
I. Defining the Issues and Taking Sides
II. What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?
III. Submission, Not Subordination
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IV. Going the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
V. The Rest Is Up To You
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My kingdom is not of this world
Jn 18: 33-37
Pilate then went back inside the palace,summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you
the king of the Jews?" . Jesus said, "Mykingdom is not of this world. If it were, myservants would fight to prevent my arrest by
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t e ews. ut now my ng om s romanother place." "You are a king, then!" saidPilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in
saying I am a king.
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What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?
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What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?What does It Mean to be Salt and Light?
Mt 5: 13-14, 16You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses
its saltiness, how can it be made saltyagain? It is no longer good for anything,except to be thrown out and trampled by
men.You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
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.
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In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds andpraise your Father in heaven.
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What does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt andWhat does It Mean to be Salt and
Light?Light?Light?Light?
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b. Being political without doing politics
c. The political Jesus in the face of evil
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and injustice
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
. light shine
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
Rom 13:1-2,41Everyone must submit himself to the
, authority except that which God hasestablished. The authorities that exist have
been established by God. 2Consequently,he who rebels against the authority isrebellin a ainst what God has instituted,
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and those who do so will bring judgment onthemselves.4For he is God's servant to doyou good.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
Rom 13:3-43For rulers hold no terror for those who do
, . want to be free from fear of the one inauthority? Then do what is right and he will
commend you. 4For he is God's servant todo you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid,for he does not bear the sword for nothin .
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He is God's servant, an agent of wrath tobring punishment on the wrongdoer.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
Rom 13:5-75Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the
,punishment but also because of conscience.6This is also why you pay taxes, for the
authorities are God's servants, who give theirfull time to governing. 7Give everyone whatou owe him: If ou owe taxes, a taxes; if
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revenue, then revenue; if respect, thenrespect; if honor, then honor.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
1 Pet 2:13-1712Live such good lives among the pagans that,though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may
visits us. 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake toevery authority instituted among men: whether to theking, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors,
who are sent by him to punish those who do wrongand to commend those who do right. 15For it is God'swill that by doing good you should silence the
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. ,do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; liveas servants of God. 17Show proper respect toeveryone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear
God, honor the king.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
1 Pet 2:15For it is God's will that by doing good you
men.
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1 Pet 2:12Live such good lives among the pagans that,
,may see your good deeds and glorify God onthe day he visits us.
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Christian civil obligations
1. Do not curse our rulers - Ecc 10:20; Ex 22:28,uoted b Paul in Acts 23:5.
2. Submit to them, honour them, respect themRom 13:1; 1 Pet 2: 13,17; Tit 3:1-2
3. Pray for governments: 1 Tim 2:1-3
4. Pay your taxes: Mt 17:24-27; 22: 16-21; Rom 13:6-7.
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. , ,
Rom 13:2-3; 1 Pet 2:14.
6. Accept the punishment when we do wrong: Rom13:4; 1 Pet 2:14
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
Rom 13:1-2,41Everyone must submit himself to the
, authority except that which God hasestablished. The authorities that exist have
been established by God. 2Consequently,he who rebels against the authority isrebellin a ainst what God has instituted,
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and those who do so will bring judgment onthemselves.4For he is God's servant to doyou good.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
Tit 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers
do whatever is good, to slander no one, to bepeaceable and considerate, and to show true
humility toward all men.
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Submission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not SubordinationSubmission, Not Subordination
1 Tim 2:1-3 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
everyone for kings and all those inauthority, that we may live peaceful and quiet
lives in all godliness and holiness. This isgood, and pleases God our Savior
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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
. proper understanding
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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
State forbids Religion
State prevails over Religion
State favours Religion State defers to Religion
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No visible boundaries
Religion abolishes State
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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
. ,to God what is Gods
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. disobedience
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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
1. Speak from knowledge and facts.
2. D n k in hrill ri n v i .
3. Do not take aggressive stances.
4. Offer sound ideas, take reasoned and
reasonable positions.5. Work within the system, rather than break
the law.
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6. Dont be self-righteous.7. There is no need for self-inflicted
martyrdom.
8. Be truthful and honest always.
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Going the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the LimitsGoing the Full Length, Knowing the Limits
Jn 7:18, Tit 3:1-2,
Rom 12:3,1 Cor 4:12-13,
2 Cor 13:1,Col 4:6,
Rom 12:17-19,Eph 4:25,
Heb 13:17,1 Pet 2:20, 23
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The Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To YouThe Rest Is Up To You
Jer 29:4-7
s s w a e m g y, eGod of Israel, says to all those I carriedinto exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: seek the peace and prosperity ofthe cit to which I have carried ou into
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exile. Pray to the LORD for it, becauseif it prospers, you too will prosper."