Making Sense…. Study 4 - Making sense of Politics

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Making Sense…. Study 4 - Making sense of Politics Introduction For most people the word politics is an emotive word. We have strong opinions about national politics and strong feelings about office politics or family politics. Discussion of politics can often lead to strong disagreements and even to a break of relationships. For some, talk about politics has no place in church. For others, the failure to address the subject has been and remains a fundamental weakness. Historically, the subject of politics has its roots in Aristotle’s book Politics, a book which like Plato’s Republic discusses the best way to organise civic society for the good of all the citizens. In broad terms then Politics has to do with privilege and responsibility both on the part of those who govern and those who are governed. This understanding of the word provides a useful gateway into the Bible’s teaching with regard to God, the State and the Christian citizen, the subject of this present study1.

Starting out… 1. What do you think of or feel when you hear the word ‘politics’?

2. What do you think Christianity has to do with politics?

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Please note that this study only touches some foundational aspects of a complex subject.

Read and Think 1. Read Genesis 1:28; 2:15-17; Psalm 8:1-9. What do these passages teach us about a. the origin of human rule?

b. the responsibilities of human rule?

c. the limitations of human rule?

2. Genesis 3:1-24 speaks of human rebellion against God’s rule and God’s promise to restore order to a disordered world. What does this passage teach us about: a. The consequences of our rebellion?

b. The restoration of rule and order in the world?

3. Read Hebrews 2:5-9. What does this passage teach us about the disruption and restoration of rule in God’s world?

4. How would you apply what you have learnt thus far to a Christian view of politics?

5. Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and Romans 13:1-7. a. To what extent do these passages apply to political authorities today?

b. What do these passages teach about the authority and responsibility of those who rule: i. Toward God?

ii. Toward those over whom they rule?

6. Read Matthew 22:15-22; 1 Peter 2:11-17. What do these passages teach us about: a. Submission to the authorities?

b. Civil disobedience?

Apply

1. In what way has this study challenged or changed your thinking with regard to: a. The importance of politics?

b. The role of the Christian citizen within the political process?

1. In what way has this study challenged your attitude about South Africa and its political realities?

1. What impact will what you have learnt in this study have upon: a. The way you speak about South African politics?

b. The way you vote?

c. Your prayers for our country?