1. A "Christianity" that does not address political, social, economic and educational issues IS NOT BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY.
2. A government that rejects Biblical mandates must be disobeyed in those areas.
Also Consider (responding to other comments)...
There are some evil things our society, our government will do, but we are not responsible if we personally are not doing those sins. If we have an opportunity to stem the tide, and we sit back silently, then we will bare some blame. But this thing of "national sin" or "national guilt" has more to do with the theocratic system of the Old Testament Israel or Judah than it does with human governments. I am not guilty for another man's sin, unless I choose to be part of it.
On the other hand, when we choose to do that which we know to be sin, RATHER than take God's way of escape (even if it means personal loss and suffering), then we are accountable. We cannot say, "Well, my government or the law required me to do it, therefore I am not guilty." Faithfulness to Christ can be very costly.
Hebrews 12:3-4
(3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
(4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
American Christianity has become comfortable with letting sinners set the standard and there are few pastors that can or will lead their people into Biblical resistance to sin.
Jesus never did anything sinful, ever, much less because Caesar or Pilate told Him to do it. Likewise with Paul. We are in the world, not of the world. We live in the midst of a sinful society, but we can live, we must follow Jesus, Who did no sin.
1 Peter 2:21-25
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
And NO, I am not saying that America should force Biblical faith on anyone. However, America MUST OBEY GOD if it is going to be a legitimate governmental power. We cannot legislate morality, but we can legislate against immorality (murder, stealing, slander, adultery, homosexuality, perjury). Earthly governments cannot force anyone to follow Christ, but they must protect the righteous and punish the wicked. This is the job of government.
Romans 13:1-6
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
(6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
1 Peter 2:12-16
(12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
(15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
(16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
On the other hand, when we choose to do that which we know to be sin, RATHER than take God's way of escape (even if it means personal loss and suffering), then we are accountable. We cannot say, "Well, my government or the law required me to do it, therefore I am not guilty." Faithfulness to Christ can be very costly.
Hebrews 12:3-4
(3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
(4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
American Christianity has become comfortable with letting sinners set the standard and there are few pastors that can or will lead their people into Biblical resistance to sin.
Jesus never did anything sinful, ever, much less because Caesar or Pilate told Him to do it. Likewise with Paul. We are in the world, not of the world. We live in the midst of a sinful society, but we can live, we must follow Jesus, Who did no sin.
1 Peter 2:21-25
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
And NO, I am not saying that America should force Biblical faith on anyone. However, America MUST OBEY GOD if it is going to be a legitimate governmental power. We cannot legislate morality, but we can legislate against immorality (murder, stealing, slander, adultery, homosexuality, perjury). Earthly governments cannot force anyone to follow Christ, but they must protect the righteous and punish the wicked. This is the job of government.
Romans 13:1-6
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
(6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
1 Peter 2:12-16
(12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
(15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
(16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
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