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For the Record
By Joshuah | May 20, 2008
Just incidentally:
We are not fighting to decriminalize polygamy. God will see to that. We are contending for the faith, showing Christians that the book they claim to rely on does not condemn polygamy, but portrays it instead as a valid and useful tool of dominion.
Not everything that man’s law calls criminal is sin… and many things that are perfectly fine with courts today are abominable in the eyes of God.
Topics: apologetics |
June 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
The book “Christians claim to rely on on”, as you state brings freedom. You are correct in saying it does not condemn polygamy… it also doesn’t condemn cloning, coffee, or pot smoking. What the Christian bible specifically states is we are to live by the laws of the land:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. (Romans 13:1-3)
If I were to go to Amsterdam and smoke some pot there would be no condemnation from God since the laws of that land allow it.
Jesus Christ came to bring freedom… freedom from the old laws. God is like a parent who makes the rule that kids shouldn’t play on the highway. The rules are there to protect us. Since God gives us the freedom to make some pretty dumb mistakes it proves he doesn’t want to control us, but he will provide a way out if we learn to follow him.
True Christianity is about harmony… live and let live “…Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” (Romans 14:22) NO TRUE Christian would condemn polygamy as a sin, nor monogamy as a sin. The reason God outlines it very clearly that we should live by the laws of the land is for our protection… it keeps us safe and out of trouble. The trouble comes when it seems God’s laws are in direct conflict with the laws of the land.
This kind of conflict is what animates protesters, lobbyists, and grass roots organizations. Polygamists who really believe the government is wrong should stop living under secrecy, band together, create associations, and pressure for laws to be change. YES… the VERY thing you say you are NOT fighting for… DECRIMINALIZING polygamy.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
This is incorrect in so many ways it’s not even funny, but it is a good indicator as to why we hesitate to be lumped together with “christians.” I’ll post a reply tonight if I find the time, otherwise thanks for the info.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
We were asked to be interviewed for a television program about polygamy. The producer was interested in talking with people who are working to legalize polygamy. We are not working to legalize polygamy, and my wife stated so via the post that you decided to comment on. In our (biblically based) worldview, the states authority is rather limited. The state of today has overstepped its God assigned sphere of influence to a huge degree in it’s quest to become god. We do not seek to have the state put its stamp of approval on anything that it has no biblical authority over in the first place.
Jesus Christ came as God incarnate, so what you are suggesting is that Jesus Christ came to nullify his own law. He showed up one day and said, “oh well, nevermind!” The position you espouse is called antinomianism. We are not antinomians. Simple as that. When we say that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, well…we mean it. Most people rattle it off without thinking about the terminology used. Anyway, you have some interesting ideas about what constitutes “true christianity” and we appreciate that you took the time to share them here, as childish as they seem to be.
P.S. For your reading enjoyment and enlightenment, I highly recommend The Institutes of Biblical Law, by R.J. Rushdoony. Systematic Theology, also by Rushdoony, would probably be good too. It’s first chapter, concerning the infallibility of God’s Word, is quite fitting in this context…give it a whirl.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hello Abi,
If you look at the verses following Rom 13:1-3, you see the limitation of earthly rulers right there. Verse 4 says:
“for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
If the ruler is an ungodly ruler, one that ignores God’s law, he is not carrying out God’s wrath. Yes, God institutes every government to His own purpose, but that does not mean every government is godly. According to your logic, Pharaoh, Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein and every other ruler / dictator / mass murderer in office is or was a godly ruler and to disobey them would displease God. The state, according to Paul, is there to enforce God’s law. Unfortunately, today’s rulers all have their own laws. You cannot serve two masters though.
Please consider verse 7 too:
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
Jesus says “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mat 22:21, Mar 12:17, Luk 20:25).
We are not Caesar’s, neither are our children.
Grace and Peace,
Talitha