Comments on: The Pains of Political/Societal Change http://matt-summers.com/2009/06/19/the-pains-of-politicalsocietal-change/ Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:45:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: mattsummers http://matt-summers.com/2009/06/19/the-pains-of-politicalsocietal-change/#comment-450 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:19:10 +0000 http://matt-summers.com/?p=547#comment-450 Darren: Those are great questions

First, I believe that everything that takes place, take place under the will of God (some things he prescribes, some things he permits, but all things under his will). Therefore, even evil men like Hitler (see Pharoah in the OT cc. Exodus 9:16) are in place under the will of God for some purpose. Sometimes, ungodly men are put in place to bring judgment on a sinful nation.

Second, I believe Christians have to satisfy the laws of the land. And I believe we can satisfy the law in two ways: (1) by obeying the law; and (2) by enduring the punishment when our faith forces us to disobey.

Historically, the church has thrived in unChristian enviornment–as it is thriving today in China and Korea where the fastest growing churches in the world are meeting underground and number in the millions.

I don’t see a philosphic problem (or a problem of contridiction) in any of the points. Of course, I have never faced persecution for my faith in a significant way—however, I believe that may very well change in the years to come—especially on the track that our nation is currently on.

]]> By: darren http://matt-summers.com/2009/06/19/the-pains-of-politicalsocietal-change/#comment-449 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:32:30 +0000 http://matt-summers.com/?p=547#comment-449 Matt,
Curious as to your view of how your 6 answers would pertain to other governments. For example living in Hitler’s Germany or in China or North Korea. How do Christians come to terms with spreading the gospel over the world, but yet deal with dictators and governments that are very anti-Christian.
I agree with your answers being scriptual. But it is much easier for me to swallow that when I live in a country where I can hold prayer meetings in a public school as opposed to living in a country where I would fear for my life if I was reading a bible in private. Or in other words what happens when #s 1 and 2 appear to be unable to exist with #s 4,5,5.
Just curious.
Thanks.

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