In this episode of Found, Pastors Linda Tokar and Brandon Bathauer introduce their newest series "Living Faithfully in the Public Sphere." They explore the complex and sometimes challenging topic of Christian engagement in the public sphere. As Christians increasingly find themselves navigating cultural and political divides, Linda and Brandon unpack three distinct approaches to faith and public life. Whether it's the path of separation, a balanced "two kingdoms" approach, or transformative engagement, they dive into what each approach means for Christians today and how each reflects on our relationship with society and government.

Using biblical, historical, and practical perspectives, they walk through examples of each stance, from the Monastic movement and the Anabaptist tradition to Luther’s "two kingdoms" concept and the Reformed tradition’s transformative vision. Through these examples, Linda and Brandon help listeners reflect on how to engage faithfully, authentically, and effectively in today’s world.

Key Themes:

• Separation: Exploring traditions like the Essenes, Monastic movements, and Anabaptism, where Christians set themselves apart from mainstream society as a way to preserve their values and avoid secular influence.
• Two Kingdoms: Understanding Martin Luther’s perspective on God’s distinct roles in the Church and the world, encouraging Christians to live faithfully within both without conflating them.
• Transformation: Investigating the Reformed view of actively bringing change to culture, inspired by thinkers like Abraham Kuyper and his concept of “sphere sovereignty.”

Takeaways:

• A reminder that as Christians, we’re called to think biblically, not politically, as we engage with the world.
• Each person’s approach to public life can reflect both personal convictions and a faithful response to the Gospel’s call.
• Jesus is called LORD of All. The question is, how can he be LORD of more in our lives, including the political decisions we make?

Join us for an enlightening discussion on living as a people of faith within society. Listen now to explore which approach might resonate with your own journey in today’s public square.

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