God's Mysterious Ways...

It is often said that God works in mysterious ways. I find it interesting that this maxim stands true even in the Bible. These verses from the book of John provide an excellent example:

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that yaer, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus wo0uld die for the Jewish nation, an not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together an dmake them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

John 11:49-53. I find it very interesting that even the Pharisees were, in effect, doing God's will. We benefit from knowing the end of the story here. As John recites his story, it becomes clear that God is working through the actions of those who didn't believe that Jesus was Christ. In fact, those actions condemning Jesus to death truly made Jesus our savior, since without the sacrifice we would not be forgiven for our sins. I find this a very interesting example of how God works in the world, bringing to fruition plans that would give birth to the Christian Church by utilizing the actions of the Pharisees.

The part of this that really bakes my noodle, though, is whether our sin can be part of God's plan, and whether these actions should rightly be called sin if they carry out the will of God. That distinction is no doubt for another, far longer, and more confusing post.

On Religion and Politics...

This is a companion post to one at In the Grey. Unlike the post there, this one will deal with the damage that politics can cause to religion. This post is necessarily limited to the United States of America. This does not suppose that some societies, based on a different form of government, should follow this line of thought. This line of reason would not apply to a theocracy. However, the point of this post is to consider why American politics has no role in religion.

Politics is a dirty business. Anyone who watches television during an election year can tell you that, especially in a swing state. Religious leaders lead their parishioners in the ways of their religion, not politics. Brining the world of politics in the religion denigrates the value of those beliefs, especially when those beliefs become the basis for laws. Eventually, in some way, shape, or form, church leaders that become political leaders begin to determine the direction of a religion. This is when politics on the pulpit becomes the most dangerous combination. Rulers like Constantine I are excellent examples of what happens when a political leader shares a place with leaders of the church.

The operation of American government demonstrates the clear need for separation between church and state. Moreover, restrictive imposition of the religious beliefs fails to benefit those who believe. Jesus spoke of living for God, and how faith is a matter of choice. "Imposed" faith is no more devout than fealty to imposed rule. Furthermore, walking with God is personal, and living for God results from that personal relationship. To install a religion at the head of a political organization, the personal nature of the belief structure is necessarily be lost. This results in Christians who believe out of fear of the law, not for their faith in God. This is the true danger of religion in the place of ruler.