Here is Rabbi Bret’s benchmark:
In R2K “theology” the only time the Church can protest this seizure of sovereignty is when the state seeks to dictate to the Church about its formal worship patterns. But if the Church is only concerned about its formal worship patterns then why would the state ever have any reason to want to absorb a sovereignty that it views as irrelevant? In point of fact if the R2K church is telling its people that they must obey the state, the state may very well view the R2K church as already effectively one of its agents.
Here is what the apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wrote:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)
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. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV)
The more some try to read their political opposition into Scripture, the more they resemble political Islam. Then again, he’s found a home in the Christian Reformed Church where the saints are gearing up to declare that global warming is a reality.
Old Life 
Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU, But as many as would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and as many as would be first among you must be your slave.”
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Luke 13: 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.”
Luke 22: 25 “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sits, or he that serves?”
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“the state may very well view the R2K church as already effectively one of its agents.”
Yes, Obama, Ahmadinejad, and Horton meet in the basement of the UN every Sunday. But recall how Marxism was rebuffed in America when legions of theonomistic homeschoolers (male) armed with the metaphorical sword of God’s Word and literal shield of Rushdoony’s Institutes, taped cover-to-cover and strapped on their forearm, crushed the demonic hordes in Grenada and East Germany.
The only coherent relationship I get from his post is how similarly Marxists and postmillenialists interpret history to support a foregone conclusion.
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Mike, in your string of those who overreach historically (and eschatologically), you left you political Islamists.
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I had a Christian tell me with a straight face, “It’s either theonomy, or sharia–take your pick.”
And of course, we’re all supposed to admit that the above sentiment is the Reformed position.
I don’t think such advocates have any concept of how much of a “secular-salvation-by-law” they hold.
Christianity-informed political thought shouldn’t just be sharia turned inside-out. Islam doesn’t just have the “wrong” laws; they have the wrong paradigm.
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And if we take the apostles’ teachings seriously unbelievers might take notice and even ask us what our opinion is on the issues of the day! The Kingdom of God advances slowly through humble means.
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I read the piece on climate change by the CRC guy. Isn’t it a bit odd that he spends most of the article talking about what scientists believe and then ends it talking about how a church should take a position on the issue? What are the qualifications of the CRC to get involved one way or the other?
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