A Universal And Immutable Law Of God, A Law Of Nature

…and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things?

We also are men with the same nature as you….

Acts 14:15a

Did not He who made me in the womb make them?

Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

Job 31:15

He fashions their hearts individually:

He considers all their works.

Psalm 31:15

            Romans chapter 13:1 is most important to remind us: all men, that includes Christians, all are to be in subjection and in submission to government. Why? Every individual on the face of the earth, past, present, and future, have the same nature. The commands given to Adam and Eve, and to all men thereafter was: “And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth…..Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:22;28). All living things given this command to be fruitful and to multiply, man given another command and that was to be in dominion. This is a universal and immutable law of God, a law of nature, therefore all men must conform and follow the laws of God and where men are told to be in subjection to the government: they are to be in subjection. This immutable law in regards to the nature of man and the commands of God are not in question: they are immutable. Then how are we to understand what it means to be in subjection and in submission? The first question that should come to mind is: what is the general purpose of government, and to what end did God allow and ordain that governments should exist? History will testify that man has and is involved in some sort of society. There is joining together people and the first joining was man and woman. Here is a fact: man joins one individual to another individual, men join with other men, local societies join with other local societies, all for the purpose and for some utility; i.e., safety, socially, economically, etc. Therefore, a joining is so that by God’s design men are placed in a better state than if he had not formed a society. If this was not true, then why form a society. Why men should join together in any sense? When men join together they do so and ought to have good faith among themselves; is this not so? Without this good faith men would not have any reason to join together living in a dangerous society, but by joining together in good faith there is a coalescence that benefits, or should benefit mankind. Does this joining together in a society always have the approval of God and operate so as to benefit those in the society? History testifies to this as well that this is not so. A grandson of Ham, the son of Cush, Nimrod, began to build a society by building cities, one famous city was the Babel (Genesis 10:12). Nimrod, called a mighty hunter before the LORD, (Genesis 10:9), founder of a city and society Babel with the people made a decision to build a tower. Not for any other reason than to make them a name, and secure they would not be scattered, as the command was to them and to all by God, to fill the earth. This tower was in total opposition to the will of God and Nimrod who had leadership over the people allowed, or even participated in this gross opposition to God and God had to deal with this severely (Genesis 11:7–8). Nimrod, the government at the time had the responsibility to see to it that the people and all laws were in conformity with the laws of God. This he did not do and God reprimanded him for his lack of being the government doing the will of God. By this we know then that government has the responsibility to by as what was recorded by Paul, appointed by God as ministers of His to do His will for the benefit of society, to aid men to live in societies with good faith leading them. Therefore, by this we know the purpose of government(s), and how we are to live in subjection and in submission to them; it is for us to do which is lawful, i.e., pay taxes, etc., and give them honor where honor is due. God limits the power of governments. Therefore, governments are not unlimited. God sets limits upon the joining of individuals, i.e., marriage where both husband and wife have limitations. Men are limited, although they are free to disregard morality if they so desire, and as with Babel, God will deal with this matter: our limitations are to be in the will of God and do His will, and this extends to all leadership, especially those governing. From the beginning of time men would increase and the need for societies become more and more needed and it is this joining together that is essential that is to be done with “good faith,” and in the will of God. Joined together places obligations and duties upon us to conform our actions to the will of God, and this too extend to governments. The unfortunate reality is that men in their passions will become unbridled and insufficient as ministers of God. With there passions men and all the ideologies, and even theologies, prejudices that have affected their nature making cause for them not to be minister’s of God according to God’s will; “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). We are admonished as to how we are to react when government is not doing the will of God: “Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him” (Ecclesiastes 8:3). How does this play out? How are we not to take a stand when there is evil being done by government(s)? Before we make a decision, let us continue our search and investigation on this matter and ensure that our decisions are Scriptural. This will be the thrust of the upcoming blogs.

Let us search out and examine our ways,

            And turn back to the LORD;

Let us life our hearts and hands

            To God in heaven.

                                    Lamentations 3:40–41

Do Not Fear! God Is In Control

Richard L. Crumb

History Aids Us To Understand Our Christian Role Towards Government

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.

Romans 13:5–6

            Paul in writing to the Roman Christian we must be once again reminded this simply fact: Christians were living in the capital city of the Roman Empire, a place where the Caesars and emperors lived and reigned. The people of Rome lived in times whereby many changes in emperors occurred with some only ruling for short periods, some only 1-year, others 3-4 years. Grecian gods renamed and introduced as Roman gods and people were to submit to these gods and to the emperors who often claimed to be gods. Gaius (Caliguala: 37-41 A.D.) wife Julia Drusilla died in 38 A.D. deified by the state and was the first Roman woman to receive this honor. Gaius came close to deification as a god in his own lifetime (many emperors received this deification after their death). This deification and demand for the Roman people to accept and to pay homage to the deified emperors, or to admit and submit to the emperors who ruled as divines led to the rejection and uprising of the Jews. The Jews did not submit to the emperor that they should go against their religious principles that made it impossible for them to sacrifice to a man, even an emperor. The Jews in their explanation to the emperor stated that they would sacrifice for him, but would not give a sacrifice to him. After a major uprising over this issue in the city fo Jamnia where Jews destroyed an altar that the Greeks had set up in honor of the emperor Gaius gave a decree that the country’s places of worship should all be converted into shrines of the imperial cult. An army was set up to enforce this command although eventually canceled. This cancellation came from a Jewish friend Julius Agrippa. Gaius assassinated shortly after this cancellation. We can see that even the Jewish people who were under tremendous distress still attempted and at times were successful having the government, or in this case the emperor to change an order. The Jews, did not think it unwise to approach the government, when the decrees of the government were in opposition to their religious beliefs. Claudius (41–54 A.D.), ruled after the assassination of Gaius who set four stringent security measures, and attempt to suppress conspiracies launched against him. Claudius had to deal with the problems left to him by Gaius, that is, the rebellion, and conflicts between the Jews of Alexandria and the Greeks. These disputes were often violent and bloodthirsty prompting Claudius to deal with this issue and to reply with a strong and impartial admonition:

“As fo the question which party was responsible for the riots and feud (or rather, if the truth be told, the war) with the Jews….I was unwilling to make a strict enquiry, though guarding within me a store of immutable indignation against whichever party renews the conflict, and I tell you once and for all that unless you put a stop to this ruinous and obstinate enmity against each other, I shall be driven to show what a benevolent princeps can be when turn to righteous indignation.”

After the death of Claudius he was deified being the first after Augustus to receive this honor. Nero (54–68 A.D.) became emperor and due to good guidance by sound government under Senecca and Burrus. Unfortunately Senecca and Burrus disappeared from the political scene in 62 A.D.; Burrus died from a throat tumor or some abscess prompting the appointment of Rufus and Gaius Ofonius who were sinister rulers and aided Nero’s evil genius and encouraged his excesses. Senecca found these men too difficult to world with so he resigned and to enjoy his amasses wealth. Nero lavished upon the people with many benefits and yet with all this Rome was taking a turn for the worse. One crucial event was the Great Fire of Rome (64 A.D.) that destroyed many Roman homes and caused widespread discontent. Tacitus wrote that Nero tried to pin the blame upon the city’s small Christian community, a group that he regard as a dissident group of Jews and burnt many of them alive, and it is by tradition we find the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. Further stated Nero probably started this fire in order to annex some land he wanted for the erection of his Golden House. When the Golden House was completed, Nero cried out, “Good, now I can at last begin to live like a human being!”

            Why take the time to write some historical facts? It is because if we do not understand the times and seasons we may not be able to understand the need for a writing. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians who lived under all goings on in the city of Rome and the Roman Empire. How some of the Emperors considered them to be, some as just another group of Jews which were antagonistic towards the Emperors, and as a lunatic group of people believing in a man, Jesus Christ and too would not give the homage they demanded. How were the Christians to handle this problem? Were they to be simply submissive and be in total subjection the government? What was the role of Christians then and now? Christians lived under the rule of a government that did not fulfill that they are ministers for God and they had a responsibility to rule under the guidance of God’s law and will. Are Christians simply to allow government to be unlimited in power or is there a need for government to be limited? How are we to understand submission? This will be what will be considered next week in my blogs and this by examining Scripture.

            Enjoy the weekend and prepare now for the Sabbath (Sunday, not Saturday as some suppose) and give to God one day just for Him.

God reigns over the nations;

            God sits on His holy throne.

The princes of the people have

            Gathered together, the

People of the God of Abraham.

            For the shields of the earth

Belong to God; he is greatly exalted.

                        Psalm 47:8–9

Grace is poured upon you by God

Richard L. Crumb

           

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