Learning To Study With Critical Thinking: A Must!

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

Submission To Government: Limited Or Unlimited?

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance

Of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king

As supreme, or to governors, as to those who are

Sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and

For the praise of those who do good. For this is

The will of God, that by doing good you may

Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men––

As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,

But as bondservants of God. Honor all people.

Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1Peter 2:13­–17

            Peter reflects upon this subject, as did Paul as to how Christians are to act according to governing authorities. Paul states that we are to be subject to governing authorities, and Peter states that we are to submit to every ordinance of man; so, what does this mean? Are we to do as do the Quakers, the Amish, or the Jehovah Witnesses? Two things jump out at us from the beginning: 1. Submission. 2. God ordains governments. God has clearly spoken that His people are to submit to any and all governments, but, and this is important, does this submission be unconditional submission? Some say yes, others say no, so how are we to understand this command by God, for it is a command: ὑποτασσέσθω,: third person singular, present tense, imperative, middle voice. To place under, to render, or arrange under, to be subordinated, to be brought under a state of influence, to submit one’s self, be submissive. This word being imperative expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the on commanding. Do Christians, anyone for that matter, have a requirement to submit to government without any thought as to their authority, purpose, or jurisdiction? If then God ordains governments, what does this ordination mean? Should submission to any government or de facto power be limited or unlimited? We must then, for God did ordain governments to exist understand what constitutes a true and real government, for if they are real and true, then they would operate as God intended them to operate. For us to reach any conclusion we must then discover the meaning of Romans chapter 13 and 1Peter 2:13–17 by context and the truths found in all of Scripture. What then are the revealed natural laws given to us by God? Let us then look further into Paul’s writing: “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you ant to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he 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, and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, hone to whom honor” (Romans 13:2–7). It is clear that governments are to be God’s ministers for the good of people. And people are to have honor, respect for governments, and to not do evil so that government may use their right to bring upon you wrath (tickets for speeding comes to mind). Government whatever your political view is limited and no sane person would say otherwise and admit that government(s), in every regard unlimited. As Christians we must not make every government action to be ordained of God, although God does permit government to act in their own will, but for anyone to narrowly impose limitations on government so that whatever they say or do is of God is a form or idiocy. For if this was how people are to act and accept then if government imposed limitations upon religious worship, or to deem for Christians to stop telling people about Jesus Christ is absurd for this was never imposed upon people by God. One only has to look back before 1776 A.D., and see that many kings ruled as one who had the divine right of a king and could do whatever he so desired. As a Christian to accept such ruling by anyone, or any government is not only foolish, it is unconscionable for some of what ruling powers do we would admit are evil; therefore are we to accept evil? No! Evil is any and all actions that are in opposition to the will of God; therefore if any government is action out of accordance with the will of God and are doing that which God has revealed as evil, would it not then be our duty to impose the will of God upon that form of government? Does this not admit that government(s) are limited and not unlimited in their power? Yes! Therefore we have unction to not submit to such evil actions of anyone, or any ruling power, local, state, or national governments included. We must submit where governments are acting in accordance to God revealed will, and on the other side of the coin, we are not to submit when government is action out of accordance to God’s will, and purpose for them to exist.

            This is just the beginning on this subject and I have attempted to set forth questions that need answers and to set forth why governments exist and what we as Christians, good citizens are to do in regard to our submission. We must, and I will, continue to expose the true meaning of Romans 13, and 1Peter 2:13–17.

Come, and let us return

            To the LORD:

For He ahs torn, but He

            Will heal us;

He has stricken, but He

            Will bind us up.

                        Hosea 6:1

Pray for our governing powers

Richard L. Crumb

Christians And Government

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

Richard L. Crumb

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[1] Baldwin, Timothy, J.D.; Baldwin Chuck, Dr.; Romans 13, The True Meaning of Submission, Liberty Defense League, Kalispell, MT; 2011