Christian Citizenship

We hold dual citizenship. We are citizens of two kingdoms – a temporal earthly kingdom and an eternal heavenly kingdom. We have responsibilities and privileges in both. To deny one or the other is poor stewardship. “The starting point is the sovereignty of God in regard to human rulers. Those who exercise authority do so because God has established them in their positions.” (Two Cities, Two Loves, James Boice, 1996, p 179) God’s sovereignty takes priority when man’s law contradicts God’s law. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Act 5:29)”

Blaising notes that the heavenly, spiritual, and individualistic nature of the church in classical dispensationalism underscored the well-known view that the church is a parenthesis in the history of redemption. In this tradition, there was little emphasis on social or political activity for the church. Progressive dispensationalists do not equate the church as Israel in this age and they still see a future distinct identity and function for ethnic Israel in the coming millennial kingdom. Progressive dispensationalists like Blaising and Bock see an already/not yet aspect to the Davidic reign of Christ, seeing the Davidic reign as being inaugurated during the present church age. The full fulfillment of this reign awaits Israel in the millennium. http://www.theologicalstudies.org/dispen.html

• Definition of Citizenship
• Wallbuilders
• Election Sermon
• 1801 Letter from Noah Webster
• Morality and Religion in Govt
• Voting
• GOD AND GOVERNMENT: A BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL STUDY* by Gary DeMar. This is a three-volume set combination of textbook/workbook designed for individual, group, church, school, and seminar study. Quoting from the Foreword: "The Bible tells us that where there is no vision there is little, if any, future. A necessary ingredient in establishing a vision is the recognition of historical roots. To Americans this means a return to the Biblical foundation that undergirded early America and that has given form and content to our freedoms...Gary DeMar's study is important for the simple fact that he calls us back to our historical and biblical moorings--moorings that are essential for future liberty...He begins with the question: "What does the Bible say about God and government?" From there, he analyzes the entire historical and governmental process according to the teachings of the Bible...Americans must again study the nature of their civil government. They must know why our society remains today the freest on the earth." May be ordered from American Vision, PO Box 724088, Atlanta, GA 31139, 770-988-0555 or 1-800-628-9460 (orders only).
• FAITH AND FREEDOM: THE CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF AMERICAN LIBERTY* by Benjamin Hart. Quoting from the book-jacket: "Faith and Freedom systematically shatters the many popular misconceptions about America's history and tells the true story of the unfolding of an idea never before enacted in the founding of a country--the idea of freedom...America's founding fathers understood that faith and freedom go together, that one cannot survive long without the other...Faith and Freedom is a dramatic narrative, and contains moving portraits of some of freedom's greatest heroes and martyrs. This volume is packed with crucial information largely omitted from today's American history texts. For example: Sermons during the revolutionary war frequently portrayed George Washington as America's Moses leading God's people out from under Pharaoh’s yoke into the Promised Land; The Declaration of Independence parallels themes in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy...These are just a few nuggets of information to be found in this goldmine of a book."
• AMERICA'S PROVIDENTIAL HISTORY by Mark A. Beliles and Stephen K. McDowell. Quoting from Chapter 1: "The goal of America's Providential History is to equip Christians to be able to introduce Biblical principles into the public affairs of America, and every nation in the world, and in so doing bring Godly change through the world." The book is a unique study of history, geography, economics, and government in the light of Biblical truths, providing concrete means for application of the truths studied. May be ordered from The Providence Foundation, PO Box 6759, Charlottesville, VA 22901, 804-978-4535.

Christian Citizenship and Worldview Resouce List

http://www.family.org/sharedassets/correspondence/pdfs/PublicPolicy/RL_Social_Issues.pdf

Why should Christians be socially and politically involved?

I. A Christian view of love and compassion compels us.

a. Matthew 22:39 We must love our neighbor as our self.

b. John 11:33-38 Love involves a sense of outrage in the face of evil.

c. Luke 10:25-37 Love requires that we take action.

II. A Christian view of human beings assumes it.

a. Matthew 25:31-46 We must take seriously man’s physical, emotional and social needs.

III. The effectiveness of our evangelism depends on it.

a. Galatians 5:6

b. Titus 2:14 Good works are a consequence of evangelism.

c. Ephesians 2:10

d. Matthew 5:16 Good works are a bridge to evangelism.

IV. A Christian view of government requires it.

a. Mark 12:13-17 We have a duty to government, including participation.

b. Romans 13:1-4 Government is ordained of God to reward good and punish evil.

c. 1 Tim 2:1-4 Government maintains the social order so that the gospel may go forth.

d. Acts 5:29 Our submission to government is limited; we must hold it accountable to a higher standard.

V. The character of God and the Lordship of Christ requires it.

a. Isaiah 58 God is the God of the secular as well as the sacred – critical of superficial religion.

b. Daniel 4:32 God is Lord over all nations.

c. Psalm 146:7-9 God is concerned with justice as well as mercy.

Focus on the Family, May 1993