Romans 13: Reevaluating Obedience to Tyrannical Authorities
It has come to my attention that many people believe we should follow authority, regardless of what we’re being ordered to do. To make matters worse, there is a huge problem with our justice system today. I see a few different camps of people in this group. There’s those that blindly follow, and these followers will sometimes go as far as to get hostile toward anyone questioning their belief. Then there are those that ‘go along to get along’, and say they just don’t want to ‘make waves’, despite having some idea that what they’re doing is unnecessary or even flat out wrong. Finally there are some that simply comply out of fear – fear of man that is, not God – usually concerned with losing their job. Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”.
Oh ye of little faith.
When pressed for their reasoning, it’s very common for blind followers of authority to bring up the Bible, and most often it is the book of Romans. Romans 13 is often taken out of context when it’s used to support unquestioning obedience to governing authorities or to justify submission to unjust laws. This passage is taken from the New Testament book of Romans, specifically chapter 13, verses 1-7. Here is the passage:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
This passage is often used as to argue that Christians should always obey the government, no matter what. However, this interpretation overlooks several important factors.
First, it’s crucial to consider the historical context. The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul in the mid-to-late 50s AD, during the reign of the Roman Empire, which was notoriously oppressive to Christians. Paul’s audience was primarily composed of early Christians who were facing persecution. Therefore, when Paul urges Christians to be subject to the governing authorities, he is likely trying to protect them from harm.
Secondly, the passage needs to be interpreted in light of the overall message of the Bible. The Bible also contains many examples of people defying government authority for the sake of justice, such as the prophets of the Old Testament or the apostles in the New Testament. In these cases, disobedience to the government was justified because it was in accordance with God’s will.
Lastly, it’s essential to remember that all human authorities are fallible and can make mistakes. Christians should always obey the law, except when it conflicts with God’s higher law. In such cases, it’s the duty of Christians to resist and stand up for what is right.
Now that we have a clearer understanding of the correct interpretation, it’s clear that the church has been negligent. We as Christians are called to boldly speak the truth, and just look at what happens to those that do these days. James O’Keefe comes to mind. Certain politicians, doctors, judges, lawyers…it is pervasive, even across social and cultural boundaries. So many of us are being persecuted simply for speaking truth.
In today’s America, there is hardly anyone inside or outside the church willing to stand up and speak truth to the powers that be. It is for this reason that the church MUST. The church is the last resort. If not us, who? If not now, when? Every day that goes by, more babies are sacrificed. More governors roll out unconstitutional ‘mandates’ or ‘executive orders’. These aren’t even laws and we are not pushing back?
Before anyone comments, check the legal definition of the word ‘mandate’. I should also preface the following by saying I am not a legal expert and make no claim that the following is accurate in a court of law. But that in no way means what I’m about to say is incorrect either.
From the definition, three things are necessary to create a mandate. First, that there should exist something which should be the matter of the contract; secondly, that it should be done gratuitously; and thirdly, that the parties should voluntarily intend to enter into the contract. So if a person disagrees with a mandate, there is no mandate, by the legal definition.
Governors and other elected officials also enjoy rolling out tyranny via Executive Orders (EO), which in recent years have been used to circumvent the process of making a law. An EO is also NOT a law – as soon as it it challenged in a non-kangaroo court, it will be struck down. EO’s were created for rare moments where some emergency needed addressing quickly and there was no time to pass the proper laws. Bottom line is, EO’s that go against God’s laws are null & void.
Benjamin Franklin famously suggested using the following motto to be used for the Seal of the United States of America.
“Disobedience to tyrants is obedience to God”. ~ Benjamin Franklin
When the governing authority ceases to do good, they cease to be an authority. He didn’t make this up. He got this from the early church fathers, e.g. St. Thomas Aquanis.
“Human law is law only by virtue of its accordance with right reason; and thus it is manifest that it flows from the eternal law. And in so far as it deviates from right reason it is called an unjust law; in such case it is no law at all, but rather a species of violence.” ~ St. Thomas Aquinas
Or to put it simply, “Unjust law is no law at all”
And we cannot have a complete opinion here without a quote from my personal favorite author, Mr. Thoreau.
“There will never be a really free and enlightened state until the state comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived.” ~ Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience
Paul tells us that all authority is given by God. He’s not suggesting that all tyranny or all anarchy are given by God, as these are in direct and indirect defiance of God. When a ruler is a legitimate ruler, we’re instructed to obey; however, when the ruler commands what is illegitimate, according to the eternal law, we must respond the same way the apostles did, we must obey God, rather than man.
We are endowed by our Creator certain inalienable rights, with the primary being life! Liberty is precious, but you cannot have liberty or happiness if you’re dead! If alive, one can pursue liberty, and if successful, one can finally pursue happiness. This is why the first right, life, is under such an unprecedented attack, and liberty is a close second.
As bad as things may seem these days, it’s good to remember that tyranny and evil are quite powerless in the long run. All they have is lies and they quickly fall apart under scrutiny. What did Mahatma Gandhi say about evil?
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it – always.”
So I hope this article reminds us all that we, United States citizens, hold the ultimate power, given to us by God and protected by the constitution and our [Godly] elected officials. Next time the health department rolls into our small towns trying to close businesses, or send state police to threaten our attending church, etc. remember these people quoted above, especially God’s word, and push back. Hard! Because this is a spiritual battle we’re fighting and going along with tyranny makes one just as guilty as the tyrants. Even a dead fish can float along in the current, and I do not believe God would have us floating belly up. Tyrants cannot commit tyranny without citizens complying, which makes what happens as much our own fault for being complicit.
We deserve what we tolerate.
In summary, Romans 13 is often taken out of context when it’s used to argue for unquestioning obedience to governing authorities. It’s crucial to consider the historical context, the overall message of the Bible, and the fallibility of human authorities when interpreting this passage. Christians should obey the law, but they should also be prepared to resist when it conflicts with God’s higher law.
I leave you with a link to a documentary, Letter to the American Church, which just recently was turned into a movie by the same name, a must watch for anyone that made it this far.
Please visit the Duke of Goods site https://dukeofgood.site/
