God v. The State Whose Laws Decide Future Peace or

Transcript:God v. The State Whose Laws Decide Future Peace or:
God v. The State Whose Laws Decide Future Peace or War? – the case of Iran Why is this important? To be able to predict the direction of a conflict towards peace or war would meet a great need of humanity, especially if it can be shown to have little or nothing to do with politics over the long term 2 (c) Peter M. Southwood, 6 Apr 2016 Summary of my Case Political Science Perspective Who is in charge? The State esp. the more powerful ones Whose laws decide future peace or war? Human laws and the political will behind them How to tell if the agreement with Iran will lead to peace or war? Public (or expert) opinion Perspective of God’s Kingdom God via His Prophets esp. through their humility/weakness The laws of God (or ‘Golden Rule’) over the long term The judgments of God in history 3 (c) Peter M. Southwood, 6 Apr 2016 I. Iran v. The West: Theological Overview Political science perspective How are we to address the crises of history (e.g. over Iran)? Supremacy of the State (in the modern era) Perspective of God’s Kingdom Supremacy of God (eternally) 4 (c) Peter M. Southwood, 6 Apr 2016 I. Iran v. The West: Judaism Political science perspective Is the rule of God political? Yes, when expressed through the State Perspective of God’s Kingdom No, ‘the rule of the true Sovereign is not, properly speaking, political’ (fom Michael Walzer, In God’s Shadow: Politics in the Hebrew Bible, pp. xiii-xiv) 5 (c) Peter M. Southwood, 6 Apr 2016 I. Iran v. The West: Judaism Political science perspective Did God’s chosen people reject His rule? No, when the Kings of Israel acted as His servants A rare occurrence especially after the kingdom divided Perspective of God’s Kingdom Yes, according to 1 Samuel 8: 5, 7: Elders of Israel demanded a king ‘to judge us like all the nations’ God tells Samuel ‘… they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them’ [KJV] 6 (c) Peter M. Southwood, 6 Apr 2016 I. Iran v. The West: Judaism Political science perspective Is there a link between a king’s moral failure/rebellion and the political consequences for peace or war? No, politics is about reform/ compromise Prophets judged by their eloquence (Walzer) Perspective of God’s Kingdom Yes, due to the supremacy of God’s word by