MARTIN Luther a great writer is one of the people that had and still has great impact on the people in the world simply because of his ideas that he expresses in his writings.
To me, Martin Luther’s political Philosophy and style of writing is good and very inspiring. He shares his heart and mind about what he thinks of politics and I find my self drawn to his kind of thinking. For example I strongly agree with him when he says that the justification of man is by faith not the law before God. This is not only because the Bible says so, but even when I take a kin look at the political laws, they are not perfect. Infact they do not justify people but they simply condemn them.
I think Martin Luther expresses a great Christian political thought in his political philosophy and style of writing for example he acknowledges the need for political and economic development but he goes ahead to mention these should be done in a Christian manner that can glorify God. Therefore I think Martin Luther’s political philosophy is the best philosophy a Christian can ever have.
As I consider a future career in law, I find Luther’s writings very challenging to me as I will mention below:
In the first place, Martin Luther says that man is not justified by law but by faith in Jesus Christ. As an aspiring advocate, this opens my eyes to the fact that the law is not perfect and therefore someone’s virtue’s are not determined by law but by faith which develops good morals.
Luther emphasizes values and guidance. This challenges me to be equipped with the legal profession ethics and also be ready to uphold them. Under this, he talks about guidance and says that as lawyers handle clients, they should lead them to reconciliation. I find this challenging because most lawyers look at how much money they can get from a client’s case and they do not care whether the clients reconcile or not.
Martin Luther brings it to our attention that man belongs to two realms, the Godly and the civil realm. As a lawyer I get to know that people do wrong by nature of belonging to evil realm and not by choice. This therefore helps me to know how to handle clients and also help them change for the better.
In conclusion, I find Luther’s writings and political philosophy encouraging, inspiring, challenging, very Christian and worth taking up.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Should the Church’s involvement in Politics in Africa be passive or evaluative?, by Musede Paul J
MUSEDE PAUL. J
JOB11/1453
Suggested guidelines for the Church’s political involvement.
Should the Church’s involvement in Politics in Africa be passive or evaluative?
In this aspect church refers to both individual believers and the corporate body or institution.
Politics is about power. Its business is to manage and try to resolve conflict, not just over access to scarce resources notable in Africa, but also conflict of opinion of how society should be organized and about matters of the life in general. The manner in which power is acquired is bound to influence the way in which it is exercised.
In my view politics means all activities that are related to the governing and to the building of civil society.
There have been two approaches to the Church's involvement in politics in Africa. The passive approach of non involvement and regards politics as worldly business. The second approach is for evaluative critical engagement and regards politics as a spiritual affair.
As a guide in my discussion, I need to clarify on the essence of Christian church in Africa and is there something definitely African in the churches involvement in politics.
However I would suggest the following as regards the churches involvement. The church’s involvement in politics should be rooted in scripture. Although Christ’s church is beyond time and space, He called it to go into the world and, like him, be an active participant in the history of humanity. However, for the church not to be identified as just another political interest group, it should never allow its pulpit to be usurped by any political agenda. If it does, it endangers its role as the voice of God.
The church should be informed and involved in the issues of the day, and encourage its members to exercise their right to vote and hold political offices. Those who hold political offices should seek to be the best citizens possible, as a witness to the integrity of Christ and his gospel. St Augustine, in city of God called God fearing rulers blessings bestowed ...upon mankind
Godly nations come from Godly citizens, who come from Godly families, led by Godly parents. Here is where the church can do its greatest work focusing upon the redemptions of individuals and there families. Godly laws are important. They set an external standard by which people can measure morality. However godly and godly leaders are only as part of answers. If citizens are unwilling to submit to godly laws or to follow godly leaders, the nation’s moral foundations will deteriorate. What is needed are godly hearts, Only God can give a man or woman a godly heart.
Christians should involve themselves in the political issues of their society because it is their right and responsibility as citizens. But the church as an institution has a higher calling than individual Christians. The church is not to be drawn into the pettiness of candidates and issues unless a clear, compelling moral principal is at stake.
The church has a legitimate role in public policy debate. It has a right and duty to call attention to the moral and religious dimensions of secular issues, to measure policies against gospel values, and to speak out on issues involving social justice, human dignity and the common good.
Politics must be about the search for the common good, a commitment to the dignity of every person and reconciling diverse interest for the wellbeing of the whole of society.
Different perspectives of churches involvement are analyzed such as Henry Okullu makes clearer when He says, "the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a private religion, just tolerated by certain citizens. It must press its presence in the centre of societal life.
Conclusion
In my discussion I have highlighted the two approaches in the church’s involvement in politics.
The question one needs to ask is, to date has the church in Africa made great impact on the way the African countries are governed? Possibly not. There is therefore need for the responsive approach. This is the situation in which the church understands herself as part and parcel of society and then responds constructively in regard to every circumstance which church and society are going through. The church should not get involved passively.
JOB11/1453
Suggested guidelines for the Church’s political involvement.
Should the Church’s involvement in Politics in Africa be passive or evaluative?
In this aspect church refers to both individual believers and the corporate body or institution.
Politics is about power. Its business is to manage and try to resolve conflict, not just over access to scarce resources notable in Africa, but also conflict of opinion of how society should be organized and about matters of the life in general. The manner in which power is acquired is bound to influence the way in which it is exercised.
In my view politics means all activities that are related to the governing and to the building of civil society.
There have been two approaches to the Church's involvement in politics in Africa. The passive approach of non involvement and regards politics as worldly business. The second approach is for evaluative critical engagement and regards politics as a spiritual affair.
As a guide in my discussion, I need to clarify on the essence of Christian church in Africa and is there something definitely African in the churches involvement in politics.
However I would suggest the following as regards the churches involvement. The church’s involvement in politics should be rooted in scripture. Although Christ’s church is beyond time and space, He called it to go into the world and, like him, be an active participant in the history of humanity. However, for the church not to be identified as just another political interest group, it should never allow its pulpit to be usurped by any political agenda. If it does, it endangers its role as the voice of God.
The church should be informed and involved in the issues of the day, and encourage its members to exercise their right to vote and hold political offices. Those who hold political offices should seek to be the best citizens possible, as a witness to the integrity of Christ and his gospel. St Augustine, in city of God called God fearing rulers blessings bestowed ...upon mankind
Godly nations come from Godly citizens, who come from Godly families, led by Godly parents. Here is where the church can do its greatest work focusing upon the redemptions of individuals and there families. Godly laws are important. They set an external standard by which people can measure morality. However godly and godly leaders are only as part of answers. If citizens are unwilling to submit to godly laws or to follow godly leaders, the nation’s moral foundations will deteriorate. What is needed are godly hearts, Only God can give a man or woman a godly heart.
Christians should involve themselves in the political issues of their society because it is their right and responsibility as citizens. But the church as an institution has a higher calling than individual Christians. The church is not to be drawn into the pettiness of candidates and issues unless a clear, compelling moral principal is at stake.
The church has a legitimate role in public policy debate. It has a right and duty to call attention to the moral and religious dimensions of secular issues, to measure policies against gospel values, and to speak out on issues involving social justice, human dignity and the common good.
Politics must be about the search for the common good, a commitment to the dignity of every person and reconciling diverse interest for the wellbeing of the whole of society.
Different perspectives of churches involvement are analyzed such as Henry Okullu makes clearer when He says, "the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a private religion, just tolerated by certain citizens. It must press its presence in the centre of societal life.
Conclusion
In my discussion I have highlighted the two approaches in the church’s involvement in politics.
The question one needs to ask is, to date has the church in Africa made great impact on the way the African countries are governed? Possibly not. There is therefore need for the responsive approach. This is the situation in which the church understands herself as part and parcel of society and then responds constructively in regard to every circumstance which church and society are going through. The church should not get involved passively.
Under What Circumstances Would God Authorize War, by Mutungi Kenneth
Mutungi Kenneth.
J05B11/1355
Journal Entry: Under what circumstances would God authorize war?
A war that is sanctioned by God. God allows it for a special reason. He determines when and why to go to war.
This argument is completely un biblical.
we have heard, "Eye for eye" and "tooth for tooth" But Gods scripture tells us not to resist an evil person, that if some one strikes you on the right chick, turn to him the other also.
we have also heard that, "love your neighbor and hate your enemy" But the scripture is clear. It says; 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." {Mathew 5:38-39,43-44, NIV}
The word of Jesus seems crystal clear. He calls his followers to refrain from fighting enemies under any circumstances. Surely, then, he calls his followers not to participate in war.
However, throughout history, the majority of Jesus' followers have not taken this command seriously. They have found ways to justity taking part in war. The turning point came in the fifth century when Augustine of Hippo formed the doctrine of "Just war". Since then countless wars have been rationalized by Christians as "Just wars."
Arguments by Augustine as regards the doctrine of "Just war" led me to examine quite a number of questions. Thus:
1. "What about war in the old testament."
2. "What about soldiers in the new testament"?
3. "Paul in Romans 13 says we must obey the state"
4. "What about conducting war to defend ones country"
In responce to these questions, I found out that, they were very weak. And they can not justify war under any circumstances.
Many Old Testament practices are superseded in the New Testament. So we can not use the Old Testament alone for forming our doctrine of war.
Soldiers are followers of Jesus. For example the soldiers who came to be baptized by John the Baptist, the centurian who had great faith {Mathew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10},
In no case is there a hint that they were fighting battles. Soldiers also fulfilled peace keeping roles, akin to modern police. So this case does not carry much weight.
Since when did the law of the state take precedence over the law of God?
"We must obey the laws of God, not men". if the laws of the state conflict with Gods laws, we are called to disobey the state. Christians have no hesitation in saying that we should go aganist state laws on issues like abortion or racism. So why not war.?
The problem is; what is ones own country?
In Northern Ireland, both Repulicans and Unionists passionately believe that Northern Ireland is part of their country. In Palestine, both the Israelis and Palestine believe that the same part of land is "theirs".
Almost any war can be justified in defending someones' country.
I believe that, just like Jesus calls all people to follow him, so he also calls upon people to renounce war. Firist and foremost this is a call to all Christians, those who claim to follow Jesus to take the lead. As Christians we should ask our selves whether we have honestly followed his teachings.
J05B11/1355
Journal Entry: Under what circumstances would God authorize war?
A war that is sanctioned by God. God allows it for a special reason. He determines when and why to go to war.
This argument is completely un biblical.
we have heard, "Eye for eye" and "tooth for tooth" But Gods scripture tells us not to resist an evil person, that if some one strikes you on the right chick, turn to him the other also.
we have also heard that, "love your neighbor and hate your enemy" But the scripture is clear. It says; 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." {Mathew 5:38-39,43-44, NIV}
The word of Jesus seems crystal clear. He calls his followers to refrain from fighting enemies under any circumstances. Surely, then, he calls his followers not to participate in war.
However, throughout history, the majority of Jesus' followers have not taken this command seriously. They have found ways to justity taking part in war. The turning point came in the fifth century when Augustine of Hippo formed the doctrine of "Just war". Since then countless wars have been rationalized by Christians as "Just wars."
Arguments by Augustine as regards the doctrine of "Just war" led me to examine quite a number of questions. Thus:
1. "What about war in the old testament."
2. "What about soldiers in the new testament"?
3. "Paul in Romans 13 says we must obey the state"
4. "What about conducting war to defend ones country"
In responce to these questions, I found out that, they were very weak. And they can not justify war under any circumstances.
Many Old Testament practices are superseded in the New Testament. So we can not use the Old Testament alone for forming our doctrine of war.
Soldiers are followers of Jesus. For example the soldiers who came to be baptized by John the Baptist, the centurian who had great faith {Mathew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10},
In no case is there a hint that they were fighting battles. Soldiers also fulfilled peace keeping roles, akin to modern police. So this case does not carry much weight.
Since when did the law of the state take precedence over the law of God?
"We must obey the laws of God, not men". if the laws of the state conflict with Gods laws, we are called to disobey the state. Christians have no hesitation in saying that we should go aganist state laws on issues like abortion or racism. So why not war.?
The problem is; what is ones own country?
In Northern Ireland, both Repulicans and Unionists passionately believe that Northern Ireland is part of their country. In Palestine, both the Israelis and Palestine believe that the same part of land is "theirs".
Almost any war can be justified in defending someones' country.
I believe that, just like Jesus calls all people to follow him, so he also calls upon people to renounce war. Firist and foremost this is a call to all Christians, those who claim to follow Jesus to take the lead. As Christians we should ask our selves whether we have honestly followed his teachings.
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