Governament and God: convo with someone

[MarkA16]

Yeah. I met this guy while playing an online game. If any of you are familiar with online games, some games have “guilds”. His guild was called BodyOfChrist and I wanted to join. But he had to “test” me…

So we went on AIM and we talked there. One of the things we talked about was Illegal Sharing/Downloading.

Now, I have an iPod and I do download from the internet. I tell him that. I also tell him that I use my music for prayers. He then says that it’s bad to download illegally. I totally agree with him but I also thought that there would be some exceptions. I would hate to delete all my songs I use for prayer.

From that we talk about God’s authority on the government. First I said something like, “You replace God authority with government authority?” Then he says that government authority was given from God, thus the government being able to make decisions. He quotes from the Bible about following authority.

He then “quotes” something from the Bible saying something like, “Pilate had the power to choose whether to crucify Jesus or not. Jesus said (neither of us knew the particular verse) you have authority unless given by God” or something.

He said that God gave authority to Pilate, to make the decision, either to crucify or not.

**

I also mention something about the authority given to the apostles unalike the authority given to the government. After I said “to the apostles” he said “AND the government”.

Anyway this convo went for almost two hours. I guess what I’m looking for here are what the Bible or you say about government being influenced by God, making decisions, etc.

I’m confused basically… I don’t even know if my post makes any sense at all.

 

[nkmeck]

Matthew 22:16-21 should provide some insight

 

[briang72]

Here is the verse regarding Pilate and Jesus:

So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered (him), “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

John 19:10-11

Another thing to ponder is the Declaration of Independence of the United States:

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

I think the authority given to the Apostles vs the authority given to governments is best described by Matthew 22, as nkmeck posted. There is a definite separation of these authorities, but God empowers both. However, God did not make the laws of governments infallible.

 

[MarkA16]

How do you reply to when someone says that the U.S. government is inspired by God because it was found on His name? Why can’t the U.S. government be THE authority?

I also asked that if God gave authority to the U.S., shouldn’t the U.S. be leader of all nations? since its authority is from God? I asked him if he believes in the NWO. He said no.

 

[reganq]

How do you reply to when someone says that the U.S. government is inspired by God because it was found on His name? Why can’t the U.S. government be THE authority?

I also asked that if God gave authority to the U.S., shouldn’t the U.S. be leader of all nations? since its authority is from God? I asked him if he believes in the NWO. He said no.

God didn’t make the government infallible.

I wonder what his response would be to the US gov’t taking God out of gov’t. If the gov’t was inspired by God and then decides to remove God, what does that mean in his line of thinking.

I hope that last one makes sense. I am trying to figure out how to word it and getting dizzy in the process. :hypno:

 

[Evan]

Now, I have an iPod and I do download from the internet. I tell him that. I also tell him that I use my music for prayers. He then says that it’s bad to download illegally. I totally agree with him but I also thought that there would be some exceptions. I would hate to delete all my songs I use for prayer.

It does not matter to what good use the result of an evil act is put. The end does not justify the means. If it is wrong to steal, it is worng to steal in order to do good. Find a good way to aquire prayer aids rather than an evil way.

We talk about God’s authority on the government. First I said something like, “You replace God authority with government authority?” Then he says that government authority was given from God, thus the government being able to make decisions.

Not only does govt derive it’s auithority from God, but also states, counties, cities and parents. All authority is given by God. It is necessary that all authority continually reflect on the proper use of authority, informed by the Church.

Authority does not make one right, only God makes one right. The church and governement can both misuse authority.

have to go!!