Last summer I took "Studies in Daniel" from Dr. Leathermann at SAU and a few texts have come to mind from it today with all of the political discussion taking place. My final paper in the class was about God's Sovereignty and His place in our politics. I recommend a book called "The Circle of Sovereignty" by Danna Nolan Fewell for anyone interested in the topic...
Isaiah 37: 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD : 16 "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."
Daniel 2: 44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands —a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces."
Daniel 4: 17 " 'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'
Daniel 4: 25b "... the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." (This theme is repeated 3 times in this story to remind King Nebuchadnezzar of his humble place in the universe)
Romans 13: "1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Actually, you should read this entire chapter...)
Daniel 7: 13,14 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."
Matthew 6:32-33: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."
I think its great for individuals to get excited about political ideas and I believe it is the civic duty of Christians to express their opinions, even if they should differ from my own. However, I think it's a bad idea to slander and to fear. Because ultimately we are in God's care a sense of patriotism should sprout from a faith in God and the belief that He is who He says He is in these texts; a sovereign Ruler of this world and its nations.
For what it's worth.
Peace...
..::rick
