We'll probably spend a number of days seeking to apply our world view to the realm of politics. The reason is that the subject is incredibly complicated (to say the least)! Throughout history there have been huge books written on the issue by the best of scholars, and yet things are still muddy; much disagreement abounds. Instead of debating the different theories of the Christian's relationship to the State (at least for now), let's go to the primary source (the Bible) and see what it tells us about the Government's role:
Romans 13:1-7
13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Before we interpret this passage, we have to take a moment to understand the historical time in which Paul was writing. Most likely, when Paul wrote this letter the Emperor Nero was ruling in Rome. Any student of history can tell you that Nero was not a good, admirable man. As a matter of fact, he caused great persecution to come to the Church; he seems to be the one responsible for eventually martyring both Peter and Paul, crucifying Peter upside down, and beheading Paul.
In light of this, we might expect to hear a call to Christians to rise up and fight this unjust, oppressive ruler. Instead we read this...
vs. 1- "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
Me: "No Paul, don't you understand? Nero is a scumbag!"
Paul: "Be subject to him."
Me: "Paul, why?!!!????!"
Paul: "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God".
vs. 2- 4: "Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."
The governing authority has been appointed by God; you resist them, and they have the right to come down upon you with the sword (the law). They are His servants "for our good"! The goal of the government is to enforce justice, protecting it's citizens from lawbreakers and criminals, keeping the peace (much more on this later, as defining this is complicated)
vs. 5-7: "Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
Since the Governing authorities are servants of God, when we submit to them we don't just do it for the sake of avoiding the penalty of the law, but "for the sake of conscience." That is to say, through our submission to the governing authorities, we are truly serving God. Therefore, we owe this God established institution our taxes, our respect and our honor.
Well, if you have read this through, you probably have a lot more questions than answers. Yes the Bible does tell you that paying taxes is a good thing! Yes the Bible does tell you that the government is appointed by God! Yes the Bible does tell you to respect your leaders! Yes the Bible does say God gives authority to the Government to come with the sword!
Over the next week or so, we'll dig into other passages of Scripture dealing with Government and we'll seek to answer questions like "When is civil disobedience appropriate?" "What's the distinction between what the Church does politically, and what the individual Christian does politically?" "Where does Government's role end in our lives?" and much, much more.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Erick
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