I've been accused of thinking too deeply and this happens to be more apparent the older I get. Too many times, I take one topic that bothers me and I start studying the smallest most insignificant things and start to apply "Rebecca's" gospel to the subject hopefully supported by the teachings of others. This following "rant" is evidence of that. Please feel free to expound or add anything as I thrive to hear others' opinions even if you don't agree because it causes me to study even more and gain a new perspective.
Recently, one of the leaders of my church gave a talk that intrigued me and spawned me to drift in my thinking. As many of my thoughts inter-connect with politics it created my understanding in this direction. The talk was entitled, "Moral Discipline" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson the talk can be viewed in its entirety at http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-34,00.html
However, these are the portions that carried the following thinking to new areas: "As a consequence, self-discipline has eroded and societies are left to try to maintain order and civility by compulsion. The lack of internal control by individuals breeds external control by governments. One columnist observed that “gentlemanly behavior [for example, once] protected women from coarse behavior. Today, we expect sexual harassment laws to restrain coarse behavior. . . .
“Policemen and laws can never replace customs, traditions and moral values as a means for regulating human behavior. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behavior is a measure of how uncivilized we’ve become.”2
This quote had the most profound effect on my studies: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, “We would not accept the yoke of Christ; so now we must tremble at the yoke of Caesar.”4
I have been thinking about this quote and if the yoke of Caesar is a sort of government than maybe the yoke of Christ is also a type of government as well and what are the differences:
Yoke of Christ:
1) To be part of his government is voluntary.
2) Focus on the individual (he knows us individual as the sparrows in the sky)
3) Belief comes from power in God
4) Self-government and few laws (Parable of mote and beam in eye)
5) Believe that man is good and can master self
6) Giving to be done by the individual (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
7) Education done by self and teaches others
8) Humility to be achieved by self
Result: Man is independent, strong and knowledgeable, self-reliant but charitable, self-disciplined
Yoke of Caesar:
1) To be part of his government is compulsory or done by force. Feeling that government knows better and can better rule men’s lives.
2) Focus on the collective (best interest of the people no matter how bad it is for the individual)
3) Belief comes from power in man
4) Regulation and task-masters are necessary, many complicated and confusing laws
5) Believe that man is evil and make poor choices for self – someone more wise and enlightened need to make your decisions.
6) Giving done by the collective as man is too evil to give on their own.
7) Education done by a master as man is too stupid to seek his own answers to questions.
8) Humility to be achieve by task-masters
Result: Man is dependent, poorly educated, unable to take care of self or others, selfish, impulsive
Reference Scriptures:
Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; For I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 John 5:3 “…His commandments are not grievous…” love God and keep His commandments
Jesus Christ is also bound by law, follows and keeps the law himself that he expects all of us to follow. However, Scribes, Pharisees – sit in Moses’ seat passing judgment and law that we are to abide by but their works are hypocritical.
Matthew 23:3-4 “…their yoke is burdensome and grievous to be borne…”
I think most current governments fall between this two forms of governement, some in one area more than the other. As a christian, I feel my responsibilty comes in upholding parts of government that most reflect the "Yoke of Christ".
Like I said, I tend to think too deeply and create inter-webs of thinking that probably don't exist but if you have any further comments or scriptures to add to my references let me know!!
Recently, one of the leaders of my church gave a talk that intrigued me and spawned me to drift in my thinking. As many of my thoughts inter-connect with politics it created my understanding in this direction. The talk was entitled, "Moral Discipline" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson the talk can be viewed in its entirety at http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-34,00.html
However, these are the portions that carried the following thinking to new areas: "As a consequence, self-discipline has eroded and societies are left to try to maintain order and civility by compulsion. The lack of internal control by individuals breeds external control by governments. One columnist observed that “gentlemanly behavior [for example, once] protected women from coarse behavior. Today, we expect sexual harassment laws to restrain coarse behavior. . . .
“Policemen and laws can never replace customs, traditions and moral values as a means for regulating human behavior. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behavior is a measure of how uncivilized we’ve become.”2
This quote had the most profound effect on my studies: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, “We would not accept the yoke of Christ; so now we must tremble at the yoke of Caesar.”4
I have been thinking about this quote and if the yoke of Caesar is a sort of government than maybe the yoke of Christ is also a type of government as well and what are the differences:
Yoke of Christ:
1) To be part of his government is voluntary.
2) Focus on the individual (he knows us individual as the sparrows in the sky)
3) Belief comes from power in God
4) Self-government and few laws (Parable of mote and beam in eye)
5) Believe that man is good and can master self
6) Giving to be done by the individual (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
7) Education done by self and teaches others
8) Humility to be achieved by self
Result: Man is independent, strong and knowledgeable, self-reliant but charitable, self-disciplined
Yoke of Caesar:
1) To be part of his government is compulsory or done by force. Feeling that government knows better and can better rule men’s lives.
2) Focus on the collective (best interest of the people no matter how bad it is for the individual)
3) Belief comes from power in man
4) Regulation and task-masters are necessary, many complicated and confusing laws
5) Believe that man is evil and make poor choices for self – someone more wise and enlightened need to make your decisions.
6) Giving done by the collective as man is too evil to give on their own.
7) Education done by a master as man is too stupid to seek his own answers to questions.
8) Humility to be achieve by task-masters
Result: Man is dependent, poorly educated, unable to take care of self or others, selfish, impulsive
Reference Scriptures:
Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; For I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 John 5:3 “…His commandments are not grievous…” love God and keep His commandments
Jesus Christ is also bound by law, follows and keeps the law himself that he expects all of us to follow. However, Scribes, Pharisees – sit in Moses’ seat passing judgment and law that we are to abide by but their works are hypocritical.
Matthew 23:3-4 “…their yoke is burdensome and grievous to be borne…”
I think most current governments fall between this two forms of governement, some in one area more than the other. As a christian, I feel my responsibilty comes in upholding parts of government that most reflect the "Yoke of Christ".
Like I said, I tend to think too deeply and create inter-webs of thinking that probably don't exist but if you have any further comments or scriptures to add to my references let me know!!
