Table of DutiesCivil Government and Citizens

Certain passages of Scripture for various holy orders and positions, admonishing them about their duties and responsibilities

Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions

Memorization Verses: Rom 13:1-4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?

Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

LSB 965

http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/online/tlh-577.mid

(My Country Tis of Thee)

 

1 God bless our native land;

Firm may she ever stand

Through storm and night.

When the wild tempests rave,

Ruler of wind and wave,

Do Thou our country save

By Thy great might.

 

2 So shall our prayers arise

To God above the skies;

On Him we wait.

Thou who art ever nigh,

Guarding with watchful eye,

To Thee aloud we cry:

God save the state!

Sing it!

America, the Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain.America! America! God shed His grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,Whose stern impassion'd stressA thoroughfare for freedom beatAcross the wilderness.America! America! God men thine ev'ry flaw,Confirm thy soul in self-control,Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'dIn liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,And mercy more than life.America! America! May God thy gold refineTill all success be nobleness,And ev'ry grain divine.

O Beautiful for patriot dreamthat sees beyond the years.Thine alabaster cities gleam,Undimmed by human tears.America! America! God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood,From sea to shining sea.

Sing it!

What would it be like to be a Christian….

In various times…

In various places…

PRAYER

• Civil Government• Taxes• Debts, respect, honor• Praying for authority• SubmissionP raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Open Prayer for our government and that of other nations:Suggested verses: Psalm 72.

National Anthem: v3 Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall

standBetween their loved homes and the war's desolation!Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued landPraise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,And this be our motto, "In God is our trust"And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! 

Sing it!

Over the past several centuries, people have mistakenly linked democracy and political freedom to Christianity. That’s why many contemporary evangelicals believe the American Revolution was completely justified, both politically and scripturally. They follow the arguments of the Declaration of Independence, which declares that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are divinely endowed rights.

Therefore those believers say such rights are part of a Christian worldview, worth attaining and defending at all cost including military insurrection at times. But such a position is contrary to the clear teachings and commands of Romans 13:1-7. So the United States was actually born out of a violation of New Testament principles, and any blessings God has bestowed on America have come in spite of that disobedience by the Founding Fathers

Discussion: John MacArthur

There are those who would insist that, if the government forced them to participate in an unjust war, they would have the right to rebel against the government. Revolution, however, is not an option for the Christian. The government is still God’s established authority. We can work within the framework of the established laws of the land to bring about change, but resorting to a violent confrontation with the government is not acceptable before God. Two wrongs do not make a right. If the government is wrong and we are mistreated for refusing to participate, the Lord will take the proper action in his own time and in his own way.

James Kothals

Today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.

Adolf Hitler

1. Slaves

2. Nomadic subsistence tribes

3. Theocratic, Monarchical City-State

4. Judged exiles under evil Empire

5. Province under Imperial control

6. Two kingdoms separate, early Christian socialism

7. Christian Roman Empire

8. Christian Feudal Monarchies

9. Christian City-States based on economy

10. Reformation City-States based on faith practice

11. Colonial provinces with plural Christian identities

12. Colonial grievances due to taxation without representation

13. State and Federal Governments united with formal separation of powers and church/state with successful constitution and bill of rights

Church/Government History

Two Kingdoms

God’s KingdomKingdom of the Left

1. Civil Government2. Christians and non-Christians3. Wars based on defense4. Reward good, punish evil

Kingdom of the Right

1. Church government2. Christians Only (visible/invisible)3. Proclaiming Gospel peace4. Christian equality, service of the sick

and poor The Christian1. Citizen of the State2. Congregant of the Church3. Owes allegiance to both

4. Recognizes God’s Kingdom above both

1. Properly Declared:1. It must be a declared war and waged by a legitimate authority. Whatever channels

the nation has defined for making decisions of this sort must be observed.

2. Just Cause:1. The cause must be just. This is usually understood to mean that the nation must defend itself against attack, preserving an

order that serves its citizens and preserving the lives innocent citizens.

3. Right Attitude:1. There must be a right intention or attitude. This was particularly important to Augustine, who believed a Christian should

not enter into war with a spirit of hatred or vindictiveness.

4. Last Resort:1. It must be the last resort. Every peaceful means of resolving international problems must be vigorously pursued.

5. Hope of Success:1. There must be reasonable hope of success. It is irresponsible to go to war if there is no realistic prospect of a nation’s

successfully defending itself.

6. Better than not:1. The good likely to be achieved by victory must outweigh the possible evil effects. This is the norm of proportionality. Even

if a nation believes its prospects for winning the war are good, the cost in terms of loss of life and massive destruction may not warrant the conflict.

7. Right Means:1. The right means must be employed in the conduct of the war. This is the norm of discrimination. A nation is responsible for

avoiding acts that show a wanton disregard for life. This means that there are legitimate and illegitimate military targets. The distinction between combatants and noncombatants must be observed, and prisoners of war must be treated humanely

Just War Theory

Lutheran Theology is unique amongst Christian traditions (particularly American traditions in the following):1. Strong understanding/awareness of global

Christian community2. Progenitor of Separation of Church and

State as a formal principle (two kingdom theology)

3. Understanding of the depth of sin and man’s depravity all realms of authority.

4. Cohesive theology overrules political pragmatism

5. Christ’s grace removes ethical dilemmas towards Christian liberty

The Lutheran Difference

I discovered later, and I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that is it only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world. That, I think, is faith

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Take my advice dear lords. Stay out of war unless you have to defend and protect yourselves and your office compels you to fight. Then let war come.

Be men, and test your armor!

Luther

Collaboration Questions Justin, Sues:

1. What does scripture say about taxation?

2. Why do Christians pay their taxes?

3. How is taxation like tithing, and how is it different?

Maurice, Susan: 1. Is the armed forces a Christian vocation

according to scripture?

2. What is the conduct of a Christian soldier?

3. What obligation do Christian soldiers have to the state, to God?

Karol, Kim: 1. What is appropriate government prayer

according to scripture?

2. How might one pray for an “evil” government?

3. How should prayer in the public space be appropriated by Christians?

Mark, Neil: 1. How should Christians view

injurious governments? 2. What steps should Christians take

to oppose government where necessary?

3. Should Christians ever participate in protest, revolt, civil war, etc.?

Reed, Hedder: 1. How do Christians live as both a

citizen of the world and a congregant of Christ’s church?

2. What is the purpose of living in two kingdoms?

3. What is our responsibility in the world?

Two Kingdoms

Say Mean Matter

Key phrases Own words Answer the questions/Personal application

• Civil Government • Taxes • Debts, respect, honor • Praying for authority • Submission •______________________________

SS Civil Government M Taxes T Debts, respect, honor W Praying for authority Th Submission

According to the apostle Paul, Christians should honor legitimate government as an authority established by God, to reward and punish justly. Rom 13:1-4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who

carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

• Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You

for having given us freedom through Your Son to live as citizens of Your kingdom. We pray that by the gift of Your Spirit we may also live honorably and prudently with all men as citizens of the state. Keep us from becoming indiscreet, from acting rashly, from neglecting the rights of others, from willful disobedience and the neglect of just laws, and from all manner of mischief that is harmful to the community. By Your grace enable us to overcome all temptation and do what is pleasing to You by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

SS Civil Government

Justin, Sues: 1.What does scripture say about taxation?

2.Why do Christians pay their taxes? 3.How is taxation like tithing, and how is

it different?

The Lord calls us to pay our taxes, pray for our government, and obey our nation's laws. Matthew 22:21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

•

M Taxes

Maurice, Susan: 1. Is the armed forces a Christian vocation

according to scripture? 2. What is the conduct of a Christian soldier? 3. What obligation do Christian soldiers have

to the state, to God?

Romans 13:5-7 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

•

T Debts, respect, honor

Karol, Kim: 1. What is appropriate government prayer

according to scripture? 2. How might one pray for an “evil”

government? 3. How should prayer in the public space be

appropriated by Christians?

1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

•

W Praying for authority

Mark, Neil: 1. How should Christians view injurious

governments? 2. What steps should Christians take to oppose

government where necessary? 3. Should Christians ever participate in protest,

revolt, civil war, etc.?

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,1 Peter 2:13-14 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.

• Pray: O Lord, make the priests and

kings peaceful; that in one church priests may pray for their kings, and kings spare those round about them; and may the peace which is within You become ours, Lord, the One who is within and without all things! Amen. (Ephrem of Syria, c. 306-73)

Th Submission

Reed, Hedder: 1. How do Christians live as both a citizen of

the world and a congregant of Christ’s church?

2. What is the purpose of living in two kingdoms?

3. What is our responsibility in the world?

God Bless America.Land that I love Stand beside her, and guide herThru the night with a light from above.From the mountains, to the prairies ,To the oceans, white with foamGod bless AmericaMy home sweet home."

Sing it!

Conclusion

Husbands, Wives, Parents, Children

Next Time…(6/22)

Daily Prayers--1 Prayer: Blessings and ThanksTable of Duties--6 Bishops, Pastors, Preachers, Hearers

Civil Government and CitizensHusbands, Wives, Parents, ChildrenWorkers, Employers, and SupervisorsYouth and Widows / Everyone & Two Kingdoms

Fruits of the Spirit--9 LoveJoyPeacePatienceKindnessGoodnessFaithfulnessGentlenessSelf-Control

Spiritual Gifts--9http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/print/spiritgifts.html

Administration, Leadership, and PastoringArtistry, Skilled Craft, WritingMusic, Praise, and Worship Evangelism & TeachingFaith, Exhortation, and DiscernmentGiving, Hospitality, Stewardship, CharityMercy, Service, and IntercessionWisdom & Knowledge