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DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
Religion and Politics
A. BACKGROUND... All autumn we've studied what the Bible teaches about LEADERSHIP. Sometimes it teaches by example (Abraham, Moses, Deborah); sometimes directly (advice from the Book of Proverbs); sometimes by experience (Jesus training the Disciples). Some of the Bible's best leaders learned from their mistakes. Our original assumptions held true: some are born leaders, some have it thrust upon them, and some grow into it, some rise to the occasion. The most consistent lesson is they had that rare combination of humility and boldness. They didn't think they were worthy but by golly they'd give it their best.
B.
TODAY,
Warning: you're not going to like this, at least ½ of you! Romans 13:1-7.
C. SUMMARY ...Here and in Peter's letter (1 Peter 2:13-19) these two giants of early Christianity advise those 1st Century Christians how to get along with the government. The advice is to submit; to trust that God put the rulers in power; that rulers are there to do good; and if you're good you have nothing to fear. Peter adds two extra points. First, your obedient behavior will put your Christianity in a good light. Second, even slaves should submit, even to harsh slave masters. Maybe that will touch their hearts.
D.
KEY POINTS:
1. Phew!! Half of America woke up to a new President they don't support, maybe even don't like. The other half got what they wanted. Either way, half don't want to hear that God rigged the election (just kidding, but verse 1 does say "the authorities that exist have been established by God"). Think back over your voting life. Do you believe that God made the candidates you oppose to be elected? Do you agree you must submit, no matter what? My guess is "no" and "no". So what do we make of these verses? I think Paul and Peter are reminding us of what rulers are supposed to do. In the best of circumstances Godly people are in positions of leadership, acting for the common good, doing what is right, causing the evil to tremble and leaving the rest of us not to worry. For reasons explained in Point #2, I think they exaggerate their praise of their rulers, but we get the point. It is good to expect the best.
2. What the heck??!! What are Paul and Peter up to, telling Christians to keep their head down, their mouths shut, their nose clean vis-a-vis governing authorities (verses 2 and 3)? In a word: survival. Christians suffered persecution from Day 1. Jesus was murdered by the governing authorities, remember? Rome was always crushing any perceived threat much like contemporary China, Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc. Paul and Peter were signaling to Rome, "we're not a threat, we're not trying to take your earthly power, don't worry about us, we're good citizens, leave us alone." They knew these letters would be read by the authorities so they write for the benefit of the Christians (play along to get along) and the authorities (you're ok, we're ok). It is a strategy to keep them safe. It did not work. The persecution and slaughter of Christians and Jews was just around the corner.
3. AMERICA or St. Paul? On these verses you have to choose, you can't have both. America rebelled against the authorities, breaking away from King and England. We chose a system of government that empowered the people; and required the authorities to do the submitting, not the other way around. Paul called such rebellion "rebelling against God (verse 2)". Sadly, history proves Peter and Paul wrong. A lot of leaders are evil, do evil. Let's face it; these verses are popular when YOUR candidate wins, when people YOU believe in are in power. I have never heard someone trot out these verses when someone they opposed was in power. I prefer PROVERBS (which demands the best from leaders) to PAUL (who assumes the best).
4. ANY HOPE in these verses? YES! Paul tells us (verses 6-7) that we should give to leaders what they are owed, what they earn by their obedience to other Biblical verses about good leadership. He cites "taxes, respect, honor" that we should give in the measure they are owed. If government provides what they are supposed to provide, we owe taxes. If leaders lead respectfully and honorably, we owe our respect and honor. QUESTION... Are we 1776, "Don't Tread on Me" enough to believe that there can be a Godly rebellion against bad leaders? And what would be a Godly rebellion? Your brain-teasers for the day.
E. Next week, whole new topic.
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