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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Governmental Authority? | Rom 13:1 | Montag | 74400 | ||
in light of Romans 13:1-5 ([1] Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. [3] For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; [4] for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. [5] Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.) what is our response to going to war to try and topple a regime that is obviously evil and corrupt but still, according to Rom 13, "esablished by God"? along the same lines, i have recently been thinking about the birth of our own United States of America out of the rebellion to an existing governing authority. was the US born out of God ordained rebellion or was it an act of human defiance not blessed by God Almighty? everything i have been brought up to believe concerning the birth of America tells me i shouldn't even ask this question but it is starting to nag me even more. i haven't even begun to form an opinion on these questions yet, but my initial reaction when reading Rom 13 is to assume that ALL governing authority means ALL regardless of apparent evil in the exercise of that authority. please help me reach an unbiased and SCRIPTURAL Truth in this matter. Christ help us, Montag |
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2 | Governmental Authority? | Rom 13:1 | Morant61 | 74767 | ||
Greetings Montag! It is quite clear in Scripture that the principle of Rom. 13:1 was meant to be a general principle, not an absolute one. What do I mean by that? Simply this, even though every 'government' is established by God, not every 'government' in Scripture is in fact obeyed in every circumstance. For instance, Pharoah tried to oppress Israel and keep them from leaving Egypt, but God had other plans for Israel. Therefore, Israel disobeyed Pharoah and resisted his rule over them - at God's command. Further, 1st century Christians were told by Rome to renounce Christ and worship false gods, yet they resisted - even to death. Rom. 13:1-7 seems to be speaking of a very general principle that Christians owe taxes, obedience, and respect to the government. But, nothing in this passage (or the rest of Scripture) indicates that we are to obey the government at the expense of obeying God. If the government tells us to do something which is contrary to God's reveal will, then we can and must resist - but do so respectfully. If we take Rom. 13:1-7 to an extreme then we would have to justify the actions of Hitler, and other despots. Are we to say that the government has the right to commit genocide? In general, we must obey and respect the government, but prevailing over this attitude is the injunction of Acts 5:29: "...We must obey God rather than men!". I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | Governmental Authority? | Rom 13:1 | EdB | 74781 | ||
Tim I have to disagree to a point. First we have no indication that Israel resisted Pharaoh and especially not before Pharaoh rejected God's direct and unmistakable direction to him for their release. The first century church did not resist Rome in trying to change Rome's government. They resisted in doing what was against God's spoken word. Recorded history shows they made no attempt to politicalize the situation but rather went to their death rather than violate God's laws. There was no rebellion, demonstrations, sit ins, riots, debates or political action groups. The Christian light was seen in the testimony of their faith by their death nothing more and nothing less and that, and that alone effected the whole world. Rome was not won by speeches, debate, rallies, demonstrations, it was won to Christ by how the first century saints died for Christ. There death was not the result of war or civil disobedience it was because they lived for Christ. Reread history who really destroyed Hitler? History shows many and I believe divinely inspired mistakes by Hitler himself were what helped to destroy him. This is not to say the lives of all of those who fought and died in war was in vain. But rather to say had God not intervened Hitler’s Nazis could very well be our ruler today. Take Rome itself, its fall and demise came after it became Christian and only after the society had once again sought to satiate itself on physical lust rather than truth of the God’s word. I think as Christians we are too willing to polictialize our beliefs instead of living them before the world and bringing the light of God’s truth into that world. You can not legislate morality, and we have tried many times ‘blue laws’, prohibition, and etc. What we can do and what has proven most successful is living our morals before the world. We protest abortion but that really isn’t the problem, the problem is a society that thinks so little of human life as to be willing to sniff it out for convenience sake. Also it speaks of a society of individuals so promiscuous they refuse to control their lust and so lazy that once they make the bad decision to responsibly act to prevent unwanted pregnancies. I submit we can protest, boycott, picket, debate, legislate but until the Light of God is shown in the darkness of man’s heart abortions will be remain with us. EdB |
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4 | Governmental Authority? | Rom 13:1 | Morant61 | 74784 | ||
Greetings EdB! I don't disagree with you my friend! I was simply making the point that Rom. 13:1-7 does not mean that if the government commands me to kill my baby that I have to do it. That it does not mean that if I am commanded to worship a false god that I must do it. That extreme view goes beyond the meaning of the passage in my view. However, I do think that as 'citizens' we should be involved. To sit back, for instance, while Hitler slaughters millions would be immoral. There has to be a balance between our witness and our actions! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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5 | Governmental Authority? | Rom 13:1 | EdB | 74785 | ||
Tim As citizens we do have responsibilities and our morals and beliefs should be reflected in our participation. I just do not agree with politicizing our Christianity. Your also right if Government legislates a law that would force us to break one of God’s laws we must disobey even to the point of death. EdB |
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