Rightly Dividing What?

Jason wrote…
"…One of the most important ways for us to limit the power of the state is to make disciples of our children…. "

Amen and amen, its also sweet , that in that process of discipling our children we become obedient to God in his command to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The bonus is we also clip the wings of the state.

Francis Shaeffer wrote in his “how shall we then live” project “… a second reason why the Christians were killed: no totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge the state and its actions. The Christians had that absolute in Gods revelation. Because the Christians had an absolute, universal standard which to judge not only personal morals but the state, they were counted as enemies of totalitarian Rome and were thrown to the Beasts…”

If as a modern Christian we are only versed in handling the New Testament we will not have that absolute standard with which to judge “not only personal morals but the state”. Because that, God had already lain down in the OT.

Don’t forget those first century,(2nd century,3rd century Christians) didn’t have the New Testament assembled yet. But Paul doesn’t sound at all concerned or apologetic to Timothy … bummer Timothy you only have the OT to work with….when he admonishes him … continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of….2tim3:14 , which would have been OT teaching.

And in 2tim2:15 to be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth… Is that what we think of when we hear that phrase? When you think of “rightly dividing the word of truth” do you feel competent to apply Gods law to our culture and society around us? Paul wasnt talking about the NT, although it also applies to it no doubt.

So we can know that we are approved to God ( that sounds good!) by rightly dividing Gods statutes, precepts, and Law.

Then the state will worry about Christians.

Swanson in his pragmatism message nailed it perfectly, the OT is Gods basic package, the foundation for our worldview to understand everything. If you try to walk as a Christian without that foundation you will not be threat to any State and be reduced to just another believer boxed in by Christian moral relativism. “…don’t want to say anything that would be judgmental…” even though we are commanded by God to judge rightly.

Because most of us were never discipled in that OT foundation which includes Gods Law, it leaves so many modern believers as eunuchs, unsure of ourselves and just clueless at what is happening around us.

"…It is God's plan for the family to have full control of its children and its property…"

Amen amen some more….