Divine Sovereignty vs. Statism: A Christian Perspective

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the concept of statism, which is the belief in the absolute power of the state over society. This ideology has ancient roots, as seen in civilizations like Egypt and Rome, where rulers claimed divine authority. Christianity historically challenged these claims, asserting that no earthly power could claim ultimate authority over God. This tension between state power and divine sovereignty has persisted through history, manifesting in various forms, including the absolutist regimes of the 17th century and the totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century, such as Fascism and Communism.

The 20th century, marked by the decline of Christianity's influence in the West, saw the rise of secular ideologies that promised a new world order through scientific principles. However, these ideologies often led to inhumanity and oppression, as seen in the regimes of Hitler and Stalin. The modern atheists' reluctance to acknowledge the consequences of these ideologies is a concern for Christians today.

The Book of Revelation offers hope and perspective in this context. It speaks of the fall of Babylon, a symbol of state power gone awry, and assures us that no matter how powerful such entities may seem, they will ultimately fall. The Lamb, representing Christ, will conquer, and His kingdom will prevail. This message encourages us to remain faithful and confident in God's sovereignty, even amidst the challenges posed by secularism and statism.

Abraham Kuyper's concept of sphere sovereignty provides a framework for Christians to engage with the world. He emphasized that all institutions, including the state, have limited authority under God's ultimate sovereignty. This perspective calls for Christians to advocate for justice and resist the overreach of state power, while also recognizing the distinct roles of the church, family, and other societal spheres.

In conclusion, while the world may seem dominated by godless power, wealth, and pleasure, Revelation reminds us that these forces are temporary. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to be faithful witnesses to God's kingdom, trusting in His ultimate victory over all earthly powers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Statism and Divine Authority: Statism, the belief in the absolute power of the state, has ancient roots and often involves claims of divine authority by rulers. Christianity challenges these claims, asserting that no earthly power can claim ultimate authority over God. This historical tension highlights the need for Christians to recognize and resist the overreach of state power. [03:39]

2. The Consequences of Secular Ideologies: The decline of Christianity's influence in the West has led to the rise of secular ideologies that promise a new world order through scientific principles. However, these ideologies often result in inhumanity and oppression, as seen in the regimes of Hitler and Stalin. Christians must be aware of these dangers and advocate for a return to divine principles. [14:34]

3. Hope in the Book of Revelation: The Book of Revelation offers hope by assuring us that no matter how powerful state entities may seem, they will ultimately fall. The Lamb, representing Christ, will conquer, and His kingdom will prevail. This message encourages Christians to remain faithful and confident in God's sovereignty. [19:16]

4. Abraham Kuyper's Sphere Sovereignty: Abraham Kuyper's concept of sphere sovereignty provides a framework for Christians to engage with the world. He emphasized that all institutions, including the state, have limited authority under God's ultimate sovereignty. This perspective calls for Christians to advocate for justice and resist the overreach of state power. [41:07]

5. Our True Citizenship and Faithfulness: While the world may seem dominated by godless power, wealth, and pleasure, Revelation reminds us that these forces are temporary. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to be faithful witnesses to God's kingdom, trusting in His ultimate victory over all earthly powers. [47:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Understanding Statism
- [01:25] - Divine Claims in Ancient Civilizations
- [03:02] - Christianity's Challenge to Statism
- [05:03] - Medieval Power Struggles
- [07:24] - Rise of Modern Statism
- [08:51] - Secular Ideologies and Their Impact
- [10:06] - Hitler's Ideology and Actions
- [12:15] - Stalin's Reign of Terror
- [14:19] - The Bloodthirsty 20th Century
- [16:00] - Revelation's Message on Statism
- [18:02] - The Fall of Babylon
- [20:19] - The Lamb's Victory
- [22:09] - Babylon's Influence Today
- [24:23] - Our Heavenly Citizenship
- [29:41] - Historical Judgments on Statism
- [32:15] - The Church's Role Against Statism
- [37:38] - Abraham Kuyper's Insights
- [43:22] - Positive and Negative Revolutions
- [46:33] - The Lamb's Ultimate Conquest

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 14:8 - "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great."
2. Revelation 17:14 - "They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful."
3. Psalm 75:8 - "For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs."

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the concept of statism as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome? [00:13]

2. How did Christianity historically challenge the claims of divine authority by rulers, according to the sermon? [03:39]

3. What are some examples of secular ideologies mentioned in the sermon that promised a new world order but led to oppression? [08:51]

4. How does the Book of Revelation provide hope in the context of state power and divine sovereignty? [19:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that Christians should respond to the rise of secular ideologies that claim scientific principles as their foundation? [14:34]

2. In what ways does Abraham Kuyper's concept of sphere sovereignty offer a framework for Christians to engage with the world? [41:07]

3. How does the sermon interpret the symbolism of Babylon in the Book of Revelation, and what does it represent in today's context? [18:02]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of Christians as faithful witnesses to God's kingdom amidst the challenges posed by statism and secularism? [47:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the pressure of state or societal power over your personal beliefs. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon? [03:39]

2. The sermon discusses the dangers of secular ideologies. How can you discern and resist these influences in your daily life? [14:34]

3. Abraham Kuyper emphasized the limited authority of the state under God's sovereignty. How can you advocate for justice and resist the overreach of state power in your community? [41:07]

4. Revelation assures us of the ultimate fall of powerful state entities. How can this message of hope influence your perspective on current global or local events? [19:16]

5. The sermon highlights our true citizenship in heaven. What practical steps can you take to live as a faithful witness to God's kingdom in your everyday interactions? [47:09]

6. Consider the role of the church, family, and other societal spheres in your life. How can you contribute to maintaining the balance of these spheres under God's sovereignty? [41:07]

7. The sermon calls for Christians to remain confident in God's sovereignty. How can you cultivate this confidence in your personal faith journey, especially during challenging times? [19:16]

Devotional

Day 1: The Limits of Earthly Power
In a world where statism often claims absolute authority, it is crucial to remember that no earthly power can surpass the sovereignty of God. Throughout history, rulers have attempted to assert divine authority, but Christianity has consistently challenged these claims. This tension between state power and divine sovereignty is a reminder for Christians to be vigilant and resist the overreach of state power. By recognizing the limitations of earthly authorities, believers can maintain their allegiance to God, who holds ultimate authority over all creation. [03:39]

Jeremiah 10:10-11 (ESV): "But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. Thus shall you say to them: 'The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you witnessed or experienced the overreach of state power in your life, and how can you actively resist it while maintaining your faith in God's ultimate authority?


Day 2: The Dangers of Secular Ideologies
The decline of Christianity's influence in the West has paved the way for secular ideologies that promise a new world order through scientific principles. However, history has shown that these ideologies often lead to inhumanity and oppression, as evidenced by the regimes of Hitler and Stalin. Christians must remain aware of these dangers and advocate for a return to divine principles that prioritize human dignity and justice. By doing so, believers can counteract the negative impacts of secular ideologies and promote a more compassionate and just society. [14:34]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: How can you discern and challenge secular ideologies in your community that contradict the teachings of Christ, and what steps can you take to promote divine principles in your daily interactions?


Day 3: Assurance in Revelation's Promise
The Book of Revelation offers hope by assuring believers that no matter how powerful state entities may seem, they will ultimately fall. The imagery of the fall of Babylon serves as a symbol of state power gone awry, and the victory of the Lamb, representing Christ, is a promise of God's ultimate triumph. This message encourages Christians to remain faithful and confident in God's sovereignty, trusting that His kingdom will prevail over all earthly powers. By holding onto this assurance, believers can navigate the challenges posed by secularism and statism with unwavering faith. [19:16]

Revelation 17:14 (ESV): "They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's sovereignty, and how can the promise of the Lamb's victory in Revelation inspire you to remain faithful amidst challenges?


Day 4: Engaging the World with Sphere Sovereignty
Abraham Kuyper's concept of sphere sovereignty provides a framework for Christians to engage with the world. He emphasized that all institutions, including the state, have limited authority under God's ultimate sovereignty. This perspective calls for Christians to advocate for justice and resist the overreach of state power while recognizing the distinct roles of the church, family, and other societal spheres. By understanding and applying sphere sovereignty, believers can effectively engage with the world and promote a balanced and just society. [41:07]

1 Peter 2:13-14 (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."

Reflection: How can you apply the concept of sphere sovereignty in your interactions with different societal institutions, and what practical steps can you take to advocate for justice within your community?


Day 5: Our Heavenly Citizenship
While the world may seem dominated by godless power, wealth, and pleasure, Revelation reminds us that these forces are temporary. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to be faithful witnesses to God's kingdom. By trusting in His ultimate victory over all earthly powers, believers can live with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that their allegiance lies with a kingdom that will never fade. This perspective empowers Christians to navigate the challenges of the world with confidence and faithfulness. [47:09]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: How does the understanding of your heavenly citizenship influence your daily decisions and priorities, and what changes can you make to align more closely with the values of God's kingdom?

Quotes


Statism is the claim or the exercise of Power by the state pretending to be absolute over all Society. It's the insistence that no other institution of society or no individual member of society has any real rights or independent action except what is derived from the state. [00:00:13]

Christianity came not always perfectly by any means but came as something of a cultural challenge to those statist claims and when Caesar said he was God, Christians were required to say no you are not God, and when Christians said Caesar is not God, Rome responded by saying Christians are atheists. [00:03:23]

The decline of the power of Christianity in the west led directly and one might be tempted to say inevitably to Fascism and to Communism, the modern statism of the 20th century because both Fascism and communism claimed that on scientific principles they would be able to create a new world order. [00:08:37]

The Book of Revelation talks about statism and I believe it talks about statism in terms of Babylon. Babylon is a symbol as it is also in First Peter of the power of this world politically and economically focused against Christ and against his kingdom. [00:16:27]

No matter how powerful Babylon seems to be, whether it's Babylon or Rome or Egypt in the ancient world or it's Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union or communist China or North Korea in this Modern Age, no matter how great Babylon seems to be, the first thing the word of God wants to say to us is Fallen. [00:18:49]

Revelation 17 tells us by whom it will be defeated. It will be defeated by the lamb, the lamb who was slain, poor Jesus so powerless so helpless so defeated but you remember John when he sees that lamb as one slain covered with blood he sees the lion of Judah who has conquered. [00:19:36]

Abraham Kyper in 1898 was a prophet of what would happen in 1917 in Russia and a few years later in Germany. He saw that statism coming as Christianity was losing its cultural influence and so he said what do we as Christians do? Do we just Retreat into our churches and abandon all hope? [00:40:19]

Kyper said God has given to parents the responsibility to educate their children and so one of the greatest Crusades of Kyper life was the building of Christian schools so that children not could be protected from the world you can't protect the children from the world. [00:41:40]

Kyper called this sphere sovereignty. God has established a variety of spheres in life each with its own responsibility directly to God and that leads to checks and balances and limits. Checks and balances where we heard that before and so as we try to be citizens. [00:42:39]

The positive revolutions Kyper said are the Dutch Revolt of the 16th century, the English Civil War of the 17th century, and the American Revolution of the 18th century, and he says what makes them all positive they were all revolts against tyranny in the name of limited government. [00:43:42]

The main force behind the American Revolution were Presbyterians and congregationalist Calvinists who wouldn't stand for tyranny and wouldn't stand for the imposition of taxes or Bishops on the colonies and we don't want to be troublemakers unnecessarily but we do want to say that when constitutional limited government is abandoned tyranny is the result. [00:45:48]

The lamb will conquer them for he is Lord of lords and king of kings and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. Aren't those wonderful adjectives called chosen faithful those are adjectives we have to cherish those are adjectives we have to be sure apply to us every one of us who are Christians. [00:46:33]

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Transcript
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