ONTARIO, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2017)—President Jeff Iorg opened the spring semester at Gateway Seminary by reminding students, faculty and staff that only God can provide the kind of change people are looking for in a political system.

“No politician can produce the changes in our world Christians know need to happen,” he said. “No government or political party can produce the abundant life we all desire. As Christians, we must be wise enough to reject our culture’s belief that a manmade system can give us only what God says he can provide.”

In a message titled “Politics and Religion,” Iorg was speaking during President’s Convocation in the Seminary’s chapel. It is the institution’s first academic year after its name change from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and its move from Northern California to Southern California.

He said America is experiencing momentous days in American politics, but it’s not the first time people put their hopes on politics.

Iorg read from Luke 6:12-16, which summarizes Jesus’ selection of his 12 disciples.

“Jesus chose these men to change the world by advancing his kingdom,” he said. “They are an interesting collection of businessmen, laborers, servants and scoundrels. Jesus saw their potential and chose men who would—for the most part—follow him and do his will.”

One of those men was Simon the Zealot.

“Simon was the man’s name. Zealot was his political designation,” Iorg noted. “Simon was known for his political convictions—so much so his political party almost became part of his name.”

He explained that Zealots wanted to end all outside control of Israel by Rome and lived by the motto “for God and country.” They favored a theocracy, the direct rule by God of the nation through the priests at the temple.

“Some of them carried a small ‘sicarri’ or dagger hidden in their sleeve,” Iorg said. “When they had the opportunity, they would slip the knife out and kill Roman soldiers, Roman officials and Jews who collaborated with Romans. These silent assassins were committed to both the political overthrow of Roman rule and personal revenge on Roman rulers. Simon was at least associated with political terrorism, people committed to overthrowing the ruling elite.”

Iorg pointed out that when Jesus called Simon to be a disciple, Simon the Zealot became Simon the Disciple. Simon the assassin became Simon the evangelist. Simon the terrorist became Simon the peacemaker. Simon the Zealot became Simon the zealous one, committed to advancing God’s kingdom.

Simon’s commitment to changing the world through political processes and terrorism changed when he met Jesus, Iorg said.

“Many Christians today have forgotten Jesus is the only person who can change the world,” he said. “Some of us have sold our spiritual birthright for a mess of political pottage. We are placing our hopes in politicians to produce a better world. We naively ignore this reality: history is littered with men and movements who promised a better world but were unable to deliver it.”

Iorg said that he hoped the current political realities would produce a positive outcome: that Christians will become more determined kingdom citizens.

“Not Americans, or Koreans, or Russians, or Mexicans—but Christians,” he said. “We will become men and women who swear allegiance to King Jesus and devote more passion to his kingdom than passing political fads.”

Iorg challenged the audience to prioritize God’s kingdom but not to retreat from responsibility to work for the common good through political processes, including voting, donating to worthy candidates and causes, running for office and praying for governmental leaders.

“The Bible says do good to everyone.”

-30-