1.8 Radical Biblical Politics – A Summary Of The Main Points Made In The Scriptures
- God loves everybody equally, but has a particular concern for the oppressed. God’s concern for the oppressed expresses itself in a call to action. And this may involve God’s people participating in a bloody struggle for total liberation.
- God is passionately committed to democracy – as opposed to autocracy – and instructs his representatives to recognize the right of the people to decide on the form of government they want even if he disagrees with the decision.
- God wants a form of government where the rules are no longer external, but internal, ‘written on people’s hearts’ and where everyone – ‘from the least to the greatest’ – (note the significance of the order) – has access to power.
- While the authorities advocate taking control of others, Jesus advocates taking control of ourselves. Jesus told his disciples not to take control over others. Their job was to enable others to take control over their own lives
- The role of the Spirit is not to overpower people, but to empower people. Responsible self-management is described as the ‘fruit of the Spirit’. And, the scripture says, ‘against responsible self-management there is no law!’
- We should seek to cooperate with other people as much as possible, but when it comes to the crunch we must obey God rather than mere mortals.
- Even if it means we have to turn our ecclesial and civil world upside down!