Let every soul be
subject unto the higher powers.
For there is no power
but of God: the powers
that ordained of God.
Whosoever resisteth
the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God
and they that resist
shall receive to themselves
damnation.
Romans 13:1–2
Stephanus Text 1550
A.D.
In may 71
years of life I have seen many presidents come and go, and many representatives
in the houses of Congress and the Supreme Court; some good, some not so good
(In my estimation), and what I have perceived is a deterioration whereby the
government has lost sight of its purpose and mission. This will be the
foundation upon which I will with you examine this chapter 13 written by Paul
to determine what we, as Christians, must conclude as to the meaning of this
most discussed and debated chapter on the role of government and that of
Christians. We must not misinterpret, as have many pastors and teachers, and
laymen have done and making cause for certain roles that are ubiquitous and an
opiate, or have done more that what is required as in such groups as the
K.K.K., and others that are hate groups. What is the role for Christians
regarding government? Are Christians to be apathetic, or use the above verses
to allow themselves a loss of liberties and freedoms? Are Christians to become
militant and fight against government? Is so then how is that militancy carried
out and be in the will of God? As I stated there seems to be deterioration,
whereby government, in this country, the United States of America, has changed
from its foundation established by our early fathers. An in this present time
we can see, if one looks, that we are in many things separated from that which
was the foundation and reason for the establishment of the United States.
Christians, the leaders of Christianity have a need to look back into history
and come to a true understanding of the fundamental Natural Law principles of
freedom, Jurisdiction, and duty.[1]
This chapter (13) and the verses about government are for our instruction and
yet no other verses, as such were ever so taken out of context; that is the
totality of context in Scripture. Remember, it is context, context, context,
and that Scripture interprets Scripture.
Examination
of a few religious beliefs that claim Christianity will aid us to understand that
there are various positions and not to understand somewhat about them is to not
have a clear picture that will lead us to understand the true meaning of Romans
Chapter 13. First, the Quakers, a movement within the Protestant Reformation
Movement of the sixteenth century and their attempts to eliminate
intermediaries between God and people, did dominate the government of
Pennsylvania and formed the Whig political organization; the Quaker party. In
the 1750’s the Quakers reversed the direction that the Quaker Society had taken
for the believed that Quaker participation in government brought with it
intolerable compromises in their Quaker beliefs, i.e., pacifism, and had
allowed “worldly” secular behavior. Quakers did not then return to public
office, at least in any great number after 1776 A.D., nor said that they
retreated from politics entirely. This because they believed out of office they
would be immune to any verdict or decision of the ballot box and that they
could serve as democracy’s conscience, better in this manner that be in a
government office. Another Christian group, the Amish do emphasize separation
of Church and state and do not prefer to receive government subsidies from any
government program. Amish are pacifists and conscientious objectors. They avoid
all violence - including angry words or going to law. They will typically not
serve in government committees or commissions, but will often consult and
cooperate with local officials. The Amish generally avoid holding public office
and engaging in political activism. Voting permitted, but the rate of voting is
typically low unless a local issue is on the ballot. Another religious group,
the Jehovah Witnesses are also conscientious objectors, do not salute the flag
or say the oath of allegiance to the Untied States, and do not vote. Another
so–called Christian organization: The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an American
unaffiliated Baptist
church known for its extreme ideologies. Most noted for their
anti–homosexual assaults and protests also protest many other events; i.e., on
January 26, 2008, WBC traveled to Jacksonville, North Carolina, home of Camp Lejeune,
to protest the United States Marine Corps in the wake of
the murder of Maria Lauterbach. Five women protested,
stomping on the American flag and shouting slogans such as "1,2,3,4, God
Hates the Marine Corps"
Here is a
problem: who is right? Should Christians be pacifist, and conscientious
objectors, or should they be militant as with such as the Westboro Baptist
church teaches? What is the true position of the Church? We need to understand
that what lies at the heart of this discussion is submission. Are we to submit
totally to government and if so is this then tacitly approving of evil? Or are
we to allow this advocating of total submission harmful to Christians, and even
to non–Christians? Are we to “stomp on the flag of the United States in protest
in some anger over what is perceived as non–Christian, that is to become
violently militant?
This then
is the beginning of this discussion on Romans Chapter 13. I hope and pray that
you will find by Scripture what we as Christians are to do in regards to
government, our roles, and our responsibilities, our duty. How then, is it for
a government to rule over the people? What is God’s will and purpose for
governments?
So the LORD said to Samuel,
“Heed their
voice, and
make for them a king,” And
Samuel said
to the men
Of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”
1Samuel 8:22
Obedience: The requirement of God
[1]
Baldwin, Timothy, J.D.; Baldwin Chuck, Dr.; Romans 13, The True Meaning of
Submission, Liberty Defense League, Kalispell, MT; 2011
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