satherton
24th December 2005, 12:13
I just watched John Lofton on C-Span. As a Christian minister and attorney, I must say that I agree with most, but not all of what Mr. Lofton had to say. In particular I want to point out that Mr. Lofton made a mistake, common amongst Christians today, when he stated that Romans 13 relates to civil government. It does not.
Romans 13 relates to the "higher powers" who are "ordained of God." These are not our civil authorities, they are those men that God has specifically called out and "ordained." Biblical examples abound -- Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Elijah, Paul, etc... And God continues to reveal himself unto those whom He calls out to minister in His name to the current day.
Resisting these authorities results in "damnation". These "powers" bear not the sword of the Lord (i.e. the Word of God) in vain. When the Word of the Lord fell from their mouth people died, were plagued, etc... (Think of the rebellion of Core during Moses' time, the 2 captains and their 50s who tried to arrest Elijah, Ananias and Sapphira, to name a few.)
These rulers are not a "terror to good works, but to the evil." That certainly cannot be said for most civilian leaders. For it is our civilian rulers who so frequently call good evil and evil good.
Some may think this is a harmless matter, but the truth is it is central to many of our problems today. Specifically, the misinterpretation of Romans 13 has flung wide open the door to the leaven of Herod (i.e. the leaven of civil government) entering into the church. Jesus warned us against this in Mark 8:15. Examples of how this leaven have entered in abound, including: the broad acceptance of evolution, the physical fitness craze, nutritional arguments that deny the Word of God, psychological research as a basis for policy, and government as cradle-to-grave provider. The reason why Herod's wisdom -- which is not wisdom at all -- has been able to enter in is because American Christians have been raised to see their government as "benign" even "of God" (according to Romans 13). Nothing could be further from the truth.
The scripture makes it clear that Satan is the "prince of this world" (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). Jesus himelf stated plainly that His Kingdom is not of "this world." That is why Jesus did not dispute with the devil when Satan tempted him, showing him all the "kingdoms of the world" in an instant and promising to give them to Jesus if He would bow down and worship him (Satan). Matthew 4:8-10.
The only way in which a civil government is not of Satan, is when the people are in obedience to God and the government is in obedient to the people. While that idea is set forth plainly in our nation's Declaration of Independence, it is a condition that we have not enjoyed in America for quite some time -- certainly longer than any of our lifetimes.
One final point, I do not want readers of this post to think that I am an anarchist. The truth is that there are scriptures that speak to a Christian's responsibility to obey the civil government, whether or not we agree with it. Titus 3:1 and I Peter 2:13. Jesus also taught to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's. Matthew 22:21. I like to think of a Christian's duty to obey civil government duty as falling within our duties as ambassadors for Christ. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, but I dwell in this world. Unlike wordly ambassadors, I do not use my liberty as a "cloke for maliciousness" but rather bear a good witness of my Master by behaving myself orderly in the nation where He has placed me.
I hope this post is thought provoking. Should you disagree with me or have questions or comments, I hope that you will let me know. You can contact me at email (satherton@thedigitallawyer.com) or visit my website www.shalaw.com
Romans 13 relates to the "higher powers" who are "ordained of God." These are not our civil authorities, they are those men that God has specifically called out and "ordained." Biblical examples abound -- Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Elijah, Paul, etc... And God continues to reveal himself unto those whom He calls out to minister in His name to the current day.
Resisting these authorities results in "damnation". These "powers" bear not the sword of the Lord (i.e. the Word of God) in vain. When the Word of the Lord fell from their mouth people died, were plagued, etc... (Think of the rebellion of Core during Moses' time, the 2 captains and their 50s who tried to arrest Elijah, Ananias and Sapphira, to name a few.)
These rulers are not a "terror to good works, but to the evil." That certainly cannot be said for most civilian leaders. For it is our civilian rulers who so frequently call good evil and evil good.
Some may think this is a harmless matter, but the truth is it is central to many of our problems today. Specifically, the misinterpretation of Romans 13 has flung wide open the door to the leaven of Herod (i.e. the leaven of civil government) entering into the church. Jesus warned us against this in Mark 8:15. Examples of how this leaven have entered in abound, including: the broad acceptance of evolution, the physical fitness craze, nutritional arguments that deny the Word of God, psychological research as a basis for policy, and government as cradle-to-grave provider. The reason why Herod's wisdom -- which is not wisdom at all -- has been able to enter in is because American Christians have been raised to see their government as "benign" even "of God" (according to Romans 13). Nothing could be further from the truth.
The scripture makes it clear that Satan is the "prince of this world" (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). Jesus himelf stated plainly that His Kingdom is not of "this world." That is why Jesus did not dispute with the devil when Satan tempted him, showing him all the "kingdoms of the world" in an instant and promising to give them to Jesus if He would bow down and worship him (Satan). Matthew 4:8-10.
The only way in which a civil government is not of Satan, is when the people are in obedience to God and the government is in obedient to the people. While that idea is set forth plainly in our nation's Declaration of Independence, it is a condition that we have not enjoyed in America for quite some time -- certainly longer than any of our lifetimes.
One final point, I do not want readers of this post to think that I am an anarchist. The truth is that there are scriptures that speak to a Christian's responsibility to obey the civil government, whether or not we agree with it. Titus 3:1 and I Peter 2:13. Jesus also taught to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's. Matthew 22:21. I like to think of a Christian's duty to obey civil government duty as falling within our duties as ambassadors for Christ. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, but I dwell in this world. Unlike wordly ambassadors, I do not use my liberty as a "cloke for maliciousness" but rather bear a good witness of my Master by behaving myself orderly in the nation where He has placed me.
I hope this post is thought provoking. Should you disagree with me or have questions or comments, I hope that you will let me know. You can contact me at email (satherton@thedigitallawyer.com) or visit my website www.shalaw.com