Theognome
Burrito Bill
Yes, this is a thread title that starts off with a statement that is inherently offensive. The term hypocrite is often thrown about without any real thought- used only because it inspires anger and irrational action; and it is far easier to defeat an enemy that is in anger than one who thinks rationally. However, I used that term not to accuse anyone specifically on this board, but to hope that after this paragraph, the reader will calm down and simply openly read the concepts in the following text. Being called hypocrite (and yes, I am included in this) is like being called 'racist'. Most folks simply do not react calmly to this. Therefor, assume I'm not talking about you (since I'm probably not) and calmly read on...
When it comes to government instituted upon the earth, there are three basic forms- Ecclesiastic, Familial and Civil. Any and all governments require a relationship of command and subordination; of leaders and followers. Where this lacks, there is no government. The Word of God explains thoroughly the responsibilities and duties of each of these governments, and how we are to submit to them within the context of His moral and spiritual guidance.
What is extraordinary in modern Christendom is how skewed our relationships with these governments have become. We are explicitly called to be in submission to all of these governments, however only one of them- and this being the least of the three- is given credence and loyalty in most Christian settings. Here is a brief examination:
Ecclesiastic- This is the first, greatest and most important government upon the earth. All Christians and subordinate governments are commanded to be in submission to the Church outside their spheres of influence, as well as receive instruction within. Familial governments are to submit to the judgments and correction of the Church elders while civil governments are to heed the wisdom of the elders in the gates. However, few churches exercise any kind of discipline in the modern church. No membership is required, no accountability is demanded. Congregations can expel their leaders with the tyrannic 51% vote. Most Churches make no stand on accountability, rather they plea for their coffers. Most modern Christians are greatly offended at the idea of having to be in submission to their Church leaders, so said leaders make no such requirement so that their coffer pleas will not go unheard.
Familial- This government has been under constant attack in the US for over a century- to the point that the very idea of a family being a form of government is actually offensive to most Christians- even amongst some of the reformed.The modern idea of 'familial' government is individual- that we are on a one-on-one walk with the Lord. Although there is, of course, plenty of teaching concerning how we interact with God individually, the massive amount of Biblical ink given to instructing households and how the Church is designed to interact with this government is anathema in most Christian circles. The idea that the bible teaches a husband being the head of a government is treated like a heresy... and anyone who thinks this way is simply unenlightened and brutish. Modern Christianity eliminates entirely the family, creating instead a house full of individuals and thus a house full of self-contained governments.
Civil- This is the least of the three governments created by God, but has been given the greatest latitude. Where the Word says to submit as unto (meaning within His guidance) the Lord, most Churches simply accept that whatever the Civil government does, they must submit blindly. This is nothing less than hypocritical timidity in most cases. Many Churches cast aside the greatest gifts of God - the Church and Household governments - and instead feast on the table scrap that is the civil government. And, since the Churches and Households blindly submit to the civil sphere, they do not teach, correct or rebuke it- choosing rather to follow whatever it decides to do to them.
I call this hypocrisy for the simple reason that the above governmental scenarios are the common attitude amongst modern Christendom yet at the same time are utterly unbiblical. How can someone treat the civil government as supreme and still claim to be a faithful Christian? How can a Christian in good conscience say, 'I love the Lord' while hating the authority of the family that God gave? And how can any God-fearing person let the civil sphere do what they will while they, having hands and mind, just go along and pray Christ comes soon? All of these reek of cowardice and unbelief.
Let us not forget that proper submission is a position of power when we are submitting as unto the Lord. Therefore, strive to be submissive, man and woman alike, to the governments that God has given us, and also that the men given to lead these governments strive to do so as unto the Lord.
Theognome
When it comes to government instituted upon the earth, there are three basic forms- Ecclesiastic, Familial and Civil. Any and all governments require a relationship of command and subordination; of leaders and followers. Where this lacks, there is no government. The Word of God explains thoroughly the responsibilities and duties of each of these governments, and how we are to submit to them within the context of His moral and spiritual guidance.
What is extraordinary in modern Christendom is how skewed our relationships with these governments have become. We are explicitly called to be in submission to all of these governments, however only one of them- and this being the least of the three- is given credence and loyalty in most Christian settings. Here is a brief examination:
Ecclesiastic- This is the first, greatest and most important government upon the earth. All Christians and subordinate governments are commanded to be in submission to the Church outside their spheres of influence, as well as receive instruction within. Familial governments are to submit to the judgments and correction of the Church elders while civil governments are to heed the wisdom of the elders in the gates. However, few churches exercise any kind of discipline in the modern church. No membership is required, no accountability is demanded. Congregations can expel their leaders with the tyrannic 51% vote. Most Churches make no stand on accountability, rather they plea for their coffers. Most modern Christians are greatly offended at the idea of having to be in submission to their Church leaders, so said leaders make no such requirement so that their coffer pleas will not go unheard.
Familial- This government has been under constant attack in the US for over a century- to the point that the very idea of a family being a form of government is actually offensive to most Christians- even amongst some of the reformed.The modern idea of 'familial' government is individual- that we are on a one-on-one walk with the Lord. Although there is, of course, plenty of teaching concerning how we interact with God individually, the massive amount of Biblical ink given to instructing households and how the Church is designed to interact with this government is anathema in most Christian circles. The idea that the bible teaches a husband being the head of a government is treated like a heresy... and anyone who thinks this way is simply unenlightened and brutish. Modern Christianity eliminates entirely the family, creating instead a house full of individuals and thus a house full of self-contained governments.
Civil- This is the least of the three governments created by God, but has been given the greatest latitude. Where the Word says to submit as unto (meaning within His guidance) the Lord, most Churches simply accept that whatever the Civil government does, they must submit blindly. This is nothing less than hypocritical timidity in most cases. Many Churches cast aside the greatest gifts of God - the Church and Household governments - and instead feast on the table scrap that is the civil government. And, since the Churches and Households blindly submit to the civil sphere, they do not teach, correct or rebuke it- choosing rather to follow whatever it decides to do to them.
I call this hypocrisy for the simple reason that the above governmental scenarios are the common attitude amongst modern Christendom yet at the same time are utterly unbiblical. How can someone treat the civil government as supreme and still claim to be a faithful Christian? How can a Christian in good conscience say, 'I love the Lord' while hating the authority of the family that God gave? And how can any God-fearing person let the civil sphere do what they will while they, having hands and mind, just go along and pray Christ comes soon? All of these reek of cowardice and unbelief.
Let us not forget that proper submission is a position of power when we are submitting as unto the Lord. Therefore, strive to be submissive, man and woman alike, to the governments that God has given us, and also that the men given to lead these governments strive to do so as unto the Lord.
Theognome
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