For he (government)
is God’s minister to you for good.
But if you do evil,
be afraid; for he does not bear
the sword in vain;
for hi is god’s minister,
an avenger to execute
wrath on him
who practices evil.
Romans 13:4
Before I
begin this blog I must apologize for the three–day delay for I have been very
ill with a cold/flu and even today are only about 89% healthy. Health will
come, if not, then I will see you in heaven; this world is not my home I am
just passing through. Hope and pray you are well and will stay well. Now to
move on an consider further this subject as to how Christians are to view and
to pragmatically use government and be in the will of God.
Paul who
wrote the book of Romans as the introduction to this book reveals: “Paul, a
bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel
of God…. To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Romans
1:1; 7a, writes this very doctrinal book and we must consider what he wrote
in its historical context, and in grammatical words used in context. Taking
time to consider Paul himself most necessary and addressing what may have
influenced and molded Paul’s thoughts. Furthermore, the Bible as a whole
considered for it is the foundation for our religion. Paul’s states this to
give to the Sadducees and Pharisees why he had authority to speak. Paul was a
Hebrew and would know Scripture, especially that he makes mention that he was a
Pharisee: “But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Men and brethren, I am a
Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee…” (Acts 23:6a). We who are studying
anything must never lose sight that we are to use critical thinking, that is,
to use the word, “why.” Also to examine the use of words, any operative words,
used by the person who is writing; this may be John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon,
Jonathan Edwards, Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge, Charles Stanley, or George Eldon
Ladd, and others. It does not matter for it is the truth we seek and not some
man devise doctrine or opinion without examination using Scripture, and all the
tools necessary to come to an understanding. Some operative words: may,
possible, think, claims, etc. George Eldon Ladd in his: A Theology of the
New Testament, 1993 edition uses the word for Paul that he claimed to have
lived as a Pharisee and on the surface this seems innocuous and would be easily
passed over, but it is putting such thoughts in writings that may be harmful if
not understood properly. Ladd uses this word, “claim,” often as though to speak
against Paul in some manner. In the use of “Paul’s words are pointed out to
support Ladd’s supposition that is not actually stated and yet are used in a
manner to support Ladd’s thoughts in regard to Paul’s reported words in Acts.
It is here where Paul speaking to the Jews in Jerusalem Ladd states, he claims
to have been ‘brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated
according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers’” (Acts 22:3). Eldon
points to a Greek word: άνατεθραμμένος, and states that this word, “may express
the claim while he was born in Tarsus, ….” Notices the words, “may express the
claim,” and the words, ‘may,’ and ‘claim,’ have the effect that this may not be
true. (The above was taken from George Eldon Ladd’s book, A Theology of the
New Testament, 1993 edition, p. 398). History will testify that the Jews
were very well acquainted with Scripture and with those who were of the
Pharisees, who taught a person, etc. It not some simple claim by Paul. It is
true that Paul was born and lived in Tarsus a Hellenist city, and the language
Greek was the common language, but this does not mean that Paul did not use
Hebrew or understood Hebrew Scriptures because so influenced by Hellenistic
thought. Paul was educated in Jerusalem.
Why take
this time to instruct you about the need for critical thinking and the use of
the tools at hand; i.e., Strong’s Dictionary, Vines Dictionary, and other
theologians both past and present. It is this lack of taking time to do the
hard work of studying and thinking that makes cause, makes for false teaching,
and even heretical teaching. My suggestion is that you do the same with
anything that I write. We are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ and
that we are to be ready to give a defense of our faith and we must then taking
time to understand the truth as presented in God’s word, not some man’s
opinion, or doctrine.
So, then,
why did Paul take time to write about a Christian’s responsibility towards
government? First, no government exists except from God (Romans 13:1a). Why did
God have governments to be established? Governments were to do the will of God
for the government is to carry out the will of God in their ordinances, and in
their authority to resist evil. Governments are God’s ministers for good:
(Romans 13:4a). This then leads to the questions of subjection to government
and to our submission to government. Is government limited in authority and
power or unlimited, and how does this align with God and His will? What if
government takes on more authority than what is God will, and what if
government proposes and makes laws that are not in harmony with the will of
God? How are we to understand what we as Christians are to do in regards to any
government that we may find ourselves under?
These
questions and many more will be addressed and answered by using Scripture; this
will take time, and study, but if done, your faith will increase and your
witness will have power and authority. Roll up your sleeves we all have work to
do.
For the administration of this service
Not only
supplies the needs
Of the saints, but also is abounding
Through
many thanksgiving to God,
While, through the proof of this ministry,
They
glorify God for the obedience
Of your confession to the gospel of Christ,
And for
your liberal sharing with them
And all men, and by their prayer for you, who
Long for
you because of the exceeding
Grace of God in you.
2Corinthians 0:12–14
Share Your Faith Today
Richard L. Crumb
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