Jason would you watch the video and give me your opinion on it? I'd be interested in your thoughts on it.Thanks.
Well, 13 minutes into the video and I have to say this.
His first point is that politics effect the gospel. Wrong. God and His people is what ultimately effects the gospel in being a reality. Who is behind the politics? God is. If you think our world system is not in control of God for His ultimate good, than you have another thing coming. Look at the story of Joseph. What his brothers intended for evil against him, God intended it for good (Genesis 50:20). For all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). See, you can't outsmart God. God is working all the bad and the good for His greater good for His people.
Now, imagine voting for an evil world leader (Who is not a true Christian of the Kingdom of God). You are loving the world. Sliding back into your old way of doing things. You get the bumper stickers out and promote how great this evil leader is on your car. But what about Jesus? What about the cross? You are hugging that evil world leader and loving his agenda (Because of some small promise or morsel of good that he might offer; All the while ignoring the fact that he is a part of the wicked one's system and guidance). Yes, the world leaders and the army and the police can at times be God's ministers of justice. So we are to obey the law of the land when those laws do not conflict with God's laws. But you have to understand that there is a difference of obeying the law of the land versus getting involved with the evil world system itself of your own free will choice.
His second point is Matthew 23:23. He points out that Jesus involved himself in politics because he rebuked the Pharisees and Scribes. First off, it is not clear that these are the political leaders of Israel. It merely says they are Pharisees and Scribes. Pharisees were teachers of the Law (i.e. teachers of their father's traditions) and Scribes transcribed the Scriptures and or wrote out legal documents, etc. Second, even if these were political leaders of Israel that Jesus was arguing with, our Lord did not actively seek them out in their own political building to say this. Nor did Jesus cast a vote in disapproval of them.
Actually do you remember what Jesus said when the Pharisees tried to trick him? He said render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's and render unto God, the things that are God's. Meaning....
(a) Obey the Law of the Land (If it does not conflict with God's laws) and
(b) Obey God's commands (Which is loving God, loving others, preaching the gospel, and helping the poor, etc.).
Nowhere do we see Jesus and or any of the apostles involving themselves in political affairs willingly of their own choice. Even Daniel and Joseph were in political positions by God's design and not by their own choice of seeking out those positions.