Posted by JR on 12/1/2001, 12:16 pm

Posted by JR on 10/16/2001, 1:37 pm , in reply to "Re: Thank you" Dear Steve, I guess I made that assumption through the way most denominational and non-denominational churches are structured. I guess they would come closer to a Republican form of government, such as ours (U.S.A.) used to be. Yet I have a strong inkling that this is not exactly what Jesus and the Apostles had in mind. ---------- Posted by Steve B. on 10/16/2001, 1:59 pm , in reply to "Re: Thank you" JR, Thanks for the clarification. I agree that the systems of church government with which I have been acquainted do indeed have flaws. But from my observations, the modern movements that claim to go back to a pure New Testament form of church government have equal or greater flaws. Sincerely, Steve ---------- A Benign Theocratic Dictatorship Posted by Anthony W. Savini on 10/18/2001, 11:35 am , in reply to "Let's talk politics and religion ;-)" That's what it will be like. Are we talking about the millenial reign? Or are we talking about the New Heaven/Earth when there will be no more tears, death, grief, crying, or pain? If we are speaking of the millenium then.... I say dictator because Jesus will come back and TAKE control from any and all earthly governments. I don't think it will be a State committing genocide on "heretics", "unbelievers", "sinners" or a State where adultry, fornication, homosexuality, ownership of pornography, corruption (these seem to be the heavies) will carry a criminal charge. Though there may be "re-education" programs. I say this because God knows you can't legislate morality. The "right" to worship even the wrong God I suspect will not be infringed upon however the right to proseylitize probably will be. It's the heart of man that must be changed. So we may very well have hitherto unknown measures of freedom under the loving Dictator, Jesus. ---------- Posted by Anthony W Savini on 10/19/2001, 11:37 am , in reply to "Re: Let's talk politics and religion ;-)" Up until the priesthood took hold in the 3rd or 4th Centuries, Churches elected their leaders and fired them too. Rabbis were (are?) elected by the congregation. It's interesting that so many religious leaders use the OT as a means to keep control. Jesus warned us about these men when he admonished the church of Pergamun about their allowing the Nicolaitans to remain. Literally it means victory or conquest of a people, nation, region. Rev 2: 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Maybe the Laodiceans took it too far the other way voting on which doctrine to adher to or forgeting who exactly is in charge. (Laodicea means the "people's command". As if God is some great sky fairy that obeys the whims of every believer.) If we believe what Tertullian wrote about the typical church and love feasts they were small intimate affairs where a number of people, slave or free, poor and rich met together for a meal, to sing psalms, pray, talk about the Word and any news of God's work in their lives. ---------- millenium Posted by lanny on 10/19/2001, 2:05 pm , in reply to "A Benign Theocratic Dictatorship" If Satan is locked up during the 1000-year millenium a lot of what is mentioned above will disappear. Lanny ---------- I hope you're right. Posted by Anthony W. Savini on 10/25/2001, 9:21 am , in reply to "millenium" Obviously, I'm more cynical of plain human nature than you are.