Saturday, March 29, 2008

Piper on Justice

I am going to read/listen/watch these two sermons from John Piper on public justice. There is no one that I respect (from the pulpit) more than John Piper. I believe he has one the most God glorifying, Christ exalting views of what we as Christians are called to be. So I am going to listen to these today as I fix sprinklers in the front/back yard and I will get back to them and post my thoughts.
Sermon 1
Sermon 2

1 Peter 2:13-26 (is better)

Context. Context. Context.
When we take verses we have to place them in context. Looking at 1st Peter 2:13-26 we can see that this is addressed to slaves. Peter is answering questions to a slave who is under a master. The now Christian slave says, "well if I am free in Christ I should be free in this life." Peters response. Nope, you need to serve and follow the example of Jesus (as the suffering servant).

Since we are looking at justice right now we see it in several places here... verse 13&14... "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good." What do we see... God has ordained governments to enforce justice. God calls us to be submissive to these governments. The Lord loves justice and government is appointed to enforce this justice on this earth. What does this mean? This means cops, prison, courts, and death penalty (in our modern context). These are appointed by God. Now they may have some wrongs that we can correct, but they are instituted by God.

The second place I see justice and a misuse of justice is in 20-21... "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." Peter says in 20 there that you get what you deserve when you are beaten because of sin. True justice is paying for your sin. Whether this is in this present life or in the life to come justice requires punishment. (Thank God that he sent Jesus to take the punishment for my sin). However, when you are beaten for doing good then you are blessed when you endure. So in context he is talking to slaves, but I think it can still apply to us. We are told time and time again throughout the Bible that we will be persecuted. If they persecuted Christ they will persecute us. We must endure this with the example of Christ.

I do not think however that this passage is really referring to living out present day justice in the sense of a life of pacifism. This passage readily acknowledges that us as Christians must be subject to a government that enforces justice and that justice needs to be carried out thru physical and present means.

I will post a passage soon. But would love to hear your thoughts.

Friday, March 28, 2008

1 Peter

1 Peter 2: 19,23

19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

I think that this might be a good passage to maybe get our feet wet. we can deconstruct it or something. i find it interesting that most of the passage is discussing a type of enduring w/ the authorities and not to, i guess overthrow but allow God to partake. i will add more later.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Beginning of Justice

My brother and I were having a very engaging conversation at church this past Easter Sunday. He is currently reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborn. Obviously a very political book. I love Shane. I don't like Shane.

We were talking about some of the politics, pacifism and social ideals of Shane and I challenged Bryan to study Justice and what it means throughout the OT and into the NT. I have not done a topical study of the Bible in a long time and am very excited to begin the process. I will try to not only include all the texts I find and how I see them laying out, but other articles or sermons that I think are relevant to the subject.

So that brings us to the beginning of this blog. We will be posting our thoughts on tough issues. This started about the former information, but you are willing to email me things to post on this blog. Or just link them in a comment and then I can post them. We want to engage the heart and the mind and the feet to follow more closely after Jesus.