n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 6
immediate surroundings. Anything
that seems to inhibit that happiness is
viewed as an obstacle and wrong. So no
matter what choices a person is making
the view is that he or she should be able
to be happy right now and in the short
term.
It is discouraging that while here
and there political discourse speaks to
foundational values and principles, too
often self-interest seems the primary
appeal. Whether it is stated in the
context of our national or international
interest the appeal is not to what is
going to be best for the United States,
our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but what a decision is going to
mean to me and my future in the next few years.
For many of us the last few decades have provided times of satisfaction
with our leaders and what our country was doing and also times of deep
disappointment and concern.
The Lord’s words to the scribes and Pharisees may seem to give clear
guidance on our responsibilities when He said: “Render therefore to Caesar
the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:25)
The Lord spoke these words in response to an effort to trap Him into
saying something that could be used against Him. The scribes and Pharisees
thought they would be able to condemn Jesus as a traitor to the Jewish nation
and faith if He endorsed paying taxes. On the other hand if He said taxes didn’t
need to be paid they could take this to the civil authorities and they would
perhaps arrest Jesus.
Sometimes His response has been seen as a clear separation of natural and
spiritual things or a clear separation of earthly and spiritual government. But
consider the following from the teachings for the New Church:
It is discouraging
that while here
and there political
discourse speaks to
foundational values and
principles, too often
self-interest seems
the primary appeal.
When the life of person is scanned and explored by rational insight it is found to be
threefold, namely, spiritual, moral and civil. These three lives are distinguishable.
For there are people who live a civil life and not as yet a moral and spiritual life; and
there are people who live a moral life and not as yet a spiritual life; and there are
those who live a civil life, a moral life, and a spiritual life at the same time. These live
the life of heaven; but the former live the life of the world separated from the life of
heaven.
This shows, in the first place, that the spiritual life is not a life separated from
natural life or the life of the world, but is joined with it as the soul is join ed with its
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