The Commonwealth of Heaven: the Political Agenda of the Apostolic Writings (Explorer's Conference 2022, Part 3)
The 2022 Explorer's Conference at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp was mt first opportunity to speak on the topic of the Biblical vision of the Bible. I was given three sessions to discuss the politics of the Bible, which I broke up into the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Epistles. Below you will find the video, the text of my notes, and a link to a PDF of the combined notes from all three sessions.
The Commonwealth of Heaven
Scarcity Politics in the Roman Empire
• Roman religion was
a pathological obsession with scarcity politics
• Every gathering
and activity had a god
• Family
• Business
• City
• Nation
• Empire
• Travel by sea
• God of destination
• Unknown god
Acts 17:23 NIV
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects
of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant
of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
• Everyone was
expected to participate, or risk the wrath of the gods
• Created a
dependence on the State:
• The gods have
chosen the Roman Empire, and the Emperor. Obey them or risk the wrath of the
gods.
The Apostles’ Response
1 Corinthians 8:5–6 NIV
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on
earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is
but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and
there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through
whom we live.
• The most shocking
distinctive of Christianity was their belief in one God and utter refusal to
worship other gods.
• This committed
monotheism was political dynamite:
• Committed
monotheism was a commitment to the providence of God—all credit goes to God,
not to the gods or the state.
• This commitment
also provoked the peoples’ fear of scarcity and was the primary motivator for
the persecution of the church.
• The preaching of
one God was a repeat of the message of God and Jesus:
• Fear of scarcity
is a lie—God provides
• Stop living the
lie and live in the providence of God.
The Political Agenda of the Apostles
• The political
agenda of the Apostles was not about influencing or taking over the
government—not a word in the Bible discusses such an agenda.
• Instead, the
Apostles worked to build the faithful political community that Jesus founded—a
community that created and shaped order in the world according to God’s design.
Ephesians 3:8–11 NIV
Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,
this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of
Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which
for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was
that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known
to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal
purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Membership
• The church is made
up of all the people accepted by God—and God accepts all people to commit to
following Jesus.
Acts 10:34–35 NIV
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears
him and does what is right.
The Great Command
• The Apostles
repeatedly commanded this diverse group of misfits to love each other.
Romans 12:10 NIV
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above
yourselves.
Hebrews 13:1 NIV
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so
that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the
heart.
1 John 4:19–21 NIV
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God
yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their
brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their
brother and sister.
(John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10, 16; 13:8-10; 14; 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:10; 16:14; 2 Cor. 13:11; Galatians 5:13-15; Ephesians 4:1-4, 11-13, 16; Philippians 2:1-2; 4:2; Colossians 2:2-4; 3:14; 1 Thess. 4:9; 2 Thess. 1:3; Hebrews 13:1; James 2:8-11; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 3:8; 4:8; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:10-11, 14, 23; 4:7-12, 19-21; 2 John 5; 3 John 5:6)
• This love created
reconciliation across social divisions
Galatians 3:28 NIV
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor
is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11 NIV
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in
all.
Summary
• The apostles set
out to build a community radically dedicated to the providence of God, and
rejecting any other claim to credit for the blessings of the world.
• Because of their
complete trust in God’s providence, the members of the church could love each
other across rivalries, divisions, etc.
Apostolic Politics in Practice
Conflict Resolution
• The church was
seen as a genuine political society, capable of—and expected to—create and
shape order.
• The church was
considered the best place to resolve conflicts because it was subject to the
design of God.
1 Corinthians 6:1–8 NIV
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take
it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? Or do
you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to
judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know
that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if
you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose
way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you. Is it possible
that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between
believers? But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of
unbelievers!
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely
defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers
and sisters.
Qualifications for Leaders
• The primary
qualifications for elders centered around their ability to foster harmony among
God’s people.
• Above reproach,
Monogamous, Sober-minded, Self-controlled, Respectable, Hospitable, Teachable,
Sober, Gentle, Not quarrelsome, Not greedy, Manage house well, Kind, Patient,
Not double-tongued, Not arrogant, Not quick-tempered, Upright, Holy,
Disciplined (1 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy
2, Titus 1)
• The primary traits
of false teachers was not doctrinal disagreements, but disruptive political
behavior.
• Promote
speculations, Vain discussions, Conceited, Craves controversy and quarrels,
Envy, Dissension, Slander, Evil suspicions, Constant friction, Depraved,
Greedy, Irreverent babble, Quarrelsome, Insubordinate, Empty talk, Lying,
Gluttony (1 Timothy 1:6. 2 Timothy
2, Titus 1, 3)
Worship
• Worship was
expected to involve gatherings of all the people, without favoritism.
James 2:1–9 NIV
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus
Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing
a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes
in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say,
“Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or
“Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and
become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in
the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he
promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the
rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into
court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom
you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as
yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
• Communion was
defined by the unity of the church.
1 Corinthians 11:20–22 NIV
So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper
you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private
suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t
you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by
humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise
you? Certainly not in this matter!
Care for the Poor
• A key practice of
the church was the sharing of wealth through care for the poor.
• This was not
communism, but free-will sharing of God’s providence.
1 Timothy 6:17–19 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put
their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a
firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that
is truly life.
The Household
• In Roman
households, the male head of household (pater familias) held
near-absolute legal authority over his household, and made all legal and
religious decisions for the family, slaves and employees.
• In contrast, the
Apostles address women, children and slaves as full humans with agency and
responsibility. (Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Colossians
3:18-4:1, 1 Peter 2:11-3-7)
• Women, children
and slaves were encouraged to give their allegiance to Jesus regardless of the
permission of their pater familias. (1
Corinthians 7:13; 1
Peter 2:18-19)
Sexual Politics
• Sexual dominance
was a big part of political dynamics in the Roman world
• Powerful men could
take advantage of anyone under their power
• Christian sexual
ethics ruled out all sex outside of marriage, and described marriage as a
mutual relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:3–5 NIV
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and
likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own
body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have
authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each
other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote
yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you
because of your lack of self-control.
Slavery
• The apostles do
not try to overthrow the system of slavery.
• Ultimately, the
solution is not in taking power or changing what people are called. The power
of the Gospel is in changing how people treat each other.
Ephesians 6:9 NIV
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in
heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Colossians 4:1 NIV
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Philemon 17 NIV
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would
welcome me.
Women
• Women were
involved in the church in ways that no other society would have allowed
• Women hosted
churches
• Served as deacons,
missionaries, Biblical interpreters, even an apostle
Attitudes toward the State
• At best, the state
is an unwitting pawn of God’s designs.
Romans 13:1–3 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities
that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against
the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so
will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do
right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one
in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
• At worst, the
state is a blasphemous beast in rebellion against God and destined for
destruction.
Revelation 13:1–7 (NIV)
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast
coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its
horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ...
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and
blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its
mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and
those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy
people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe,
people, language and nation.
Revelation 19:20 NIV
But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who
had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those
who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them
were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
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