Ethicist Russell Moore advised people keep in mind how terrible theocracies are, citing the ongoing protests in Iran against the hardline Islamic government. Moore also reminded his readers of how Jesus warned about those claiming messianic authority.
Taking notice of how some Christians maybe confused over what is happening in Iran, Moore posted feature article on his website on the topic of the unrest in the mentioned country. Thousands of Iranians have been flooding the streets to protest against corruption in the government. Around 21 people have died in the midst of the unrest while hundreds have been arrested.
"Theocracies are awful and abusive, not only because they oppress human beings but because they also blaspheme God," Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote Monday on his website. "These wondering Christians likely recognize that Iran's authoritarian Islamic regime is wrong, yet they might wonder why we would use the word 'theocracy' pejoratively. After all, the word simply means 'rule by God.' Shouldn't we aspire, they might ask, to just that: governments ruled by God?"
The ethicist also cited Bret Stephens of the New York Times who coined the term "klepto-theocracy" to refer to the claim of divine authority used to strip people of money and property. Moore also pointed out that the Bible itself lists Jesus Christ as the kingdom through which God rules the entire universe, adding that anyone else who claims divine authority is a pretender to the throne. Additionally, he noted that Jesus warned about those who claim messianic authority between His first and second comings.
He also warned that television preachers who talk about a supposed secret revelation from God in order to get people to open their wallets will have to answer for fraud, adding that these people will be addressed at Judgement Day.
Meanwhile, experts believe that the political unrest in Iran can only be good news for Christians, a growing minority who face persecution in the country. In an interview with Catholic News Agency, Iranian-born journalist and Catholic convert Sohrab Ahmari said that if protesters can recover something out of the unrest, Christians and other minorities in Iran will be better off than they are now.
