Editor’s Note: This article is written by zealfortruth.org contributor Chris Austere.
In my previous two articles, Axis of Evil: Disembodied Rulers? Parts I and II, we discussed how governments are sometimes used as agents of Satan’s kingdom. This should not be interpreted to mean that any present-day government is purely evil, however. In fact, scripture teaches that governments and militaries are God-ordained institutions.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing (Romans 13:1-6, KJV).
In order to understand the role of governments and militaries, we must answer this question: what function does Paul say governments are to fulfill? Simply put, the role of government is to “execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” We could paraphrase this by saying governments are agents of God’s judgment.
In part II of Axis of Evil we looked at Ezekiel 28. This chapter speaks about the prince of Tyre, who was lifted up in pride because of his own wisdom. He thought of himself as a God rather than a man. What was the penalty of this sin?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD (Ezekiel 28:6-10).
The agent of God’s judgment was a foreign army. This should alert all American Christians to the fact that even God’s chosen people were not immune from such judgment. Although I do not necessarily agree to the Christian leaders who said the events of 9/11 were the result of God’s wrath, such a scenario is not outside the boundaries of biblical possibility.
How Should Christians Respond to Government?
First of all, Christians should obey the law as long as such obedience does not interfere with one’s faith. Since Paul makes it clear that resistance of governmental authority is akin to resisting God himself, failure to submit to such ordinances violates Christian conscience. Secondly, Christians should honor governing bodies by paying taxes. And thirdly, Christians should pray for those in authority.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (I Timothy 2:1-3)
This is where partisanship must be set aside. Yet in a society where people have a say in who is appointed to office, this is perhaps one of the hardest things to swallow. If we are not careful, we will neglect prayer for our leaders in favor of criticism. Heavenly citizenship is to be preferred over earthly citizenship, and those of the household of faith must realize that the exercise of the privilege of prayer is a much more effective tool in God’s hands than our vote. In the event that God is set to judge our nation, intercession could prevent it. If God would have suspended his judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of ten righteous people, how much more would he extend mercy to those who can boldly access his throne through Jesus Christ?
I read Romans 13 just last night, and I have trouble accepting it at face value. Paul says the government authorities “have been established by God,” but unless he means that in a loose sense of God allowing certain men to come to power, I don’t see how it can be true. Not all rulers and governments enforce biblical standards of justice and morality. Some are thoroughly evil and will persecute those who do right. That’s in direct contradiction with what this passage says: “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right.”
So how do we reconcile this passage with reality? I guess one way could be to take it as a generalization, and not assume that it applies to all governments and all rulers. Or we can take it as a specific historical command that applied to the government at that time. Or maybe it’s not about any particular government at all, but is merely a pronouncement that God intends men to be governed. Maybe this is a picture of an ideal government. I haven’t studied this issue very much, so I don’t have any conclusions yet.
Jew,
You’ve raised some important questions. I think if we look at the general historical context, we know that Paul had some run-ins with the Roman government. So I don’t think it would be prudent to assume that Paul was speaking specifically about that government only. I do think he was making the point that all men should be governed, but I think the broader meaning is that governments have a God-ordained function. I believe when he says, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right” he means that God has not ordained them to punish those who do right. So when Paul was imprisoned, although we know that it turned out for the benefit of the gospel, the government did not function in the God-ordained capacity Paul mentions here.
Take a look at this passage in Isaiah 45.
1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
Who was King Cyrus? He was a Gentile king, yet God said he anointed him for the purpose of destroying Israel’s enemies even though he had not known the Lord.
I was going to mention Cyrus… you beat me to it.
Oh look, Googlebot is gone.
I miss Googlebot.
I’m not saying this is a fact, but I would like to pose this question to get some input from you guys:
Is the U.S. Israel’s modern-day Cyrus?
No. I don’t believe the modern nation of Israel is related to the biblical Israel. Therefore the question is faulty.
However, if you do consider the modern Israel to be the same as the biblical Israel, I would say that the UK has fulfilled the role of Cyrus. It was the British who prepared the land and presented the plan for creating a Jewish state.
Yeah, the UK probably is more accurate. I consider modern Israel to be different from biblical Israel. However, I do believe that it is entirely of God’s will that Israel exists today, and probably is tied into some end times plan (though I don’t assume to know what).
I’m not much of an historian, but the two times Peter et al say that they should obey God rather than man in Acts comes to mind (chapters 4 and 5). By analogy are there cases where it is OK for us to disobey the authorities? Or is this somehow different because the authorities were religions but not governmental? what about countries with religious, but non-Christian, leadership?
“I’m not much of an historian, but the two times Peter et al say that they should obey God rather than man in Acts comes to mind (chapters 4 and 5). By analogy are there cases where it is OK for us to disobey the authorities? Or is this somehow different because the authorities were religions but not governmental? what about countries with religious, but non-Christian, leadership?”
I think scripture is absolutely clear when it comes to questions of whether we should obey God or man. Your quote of Peter is a good reference. Daniel and his companions would be another good one. In these cases it is not only okay that we disobey authorities, it is expected that we do so. The passage in Romans 13 spells out the God-ordained function of government. “…For he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” It is not the God-ordained function of government to usurp authority over God, but in conjunction with his will, to punish evildoers.
As to your question about countries with religious but non-Christian leadership, certainly the Roman leadership during this time was non-Christian, and probably religious to some extent. So I think that we should not decide whether to submit to their authority based on the religion of the leaders; rather this is a decision based on our own faith for “conscience sake”. But again, when we are faced with a choice to obey them or God, the correct decision is obvious.
“No. I don’t believe the modern nation of Israel is related to the biblical Israel. Therefore the question is faulty.”
“Yeah, the UK probably is more accurate. I consider modern Israel to be different from biblical Israel. However, I do believe that it is entirely of God’s will that Israel exists today, and probably is tied into some end times plan (though I don’t assume to know what).”
Interesting perspective. I can’t say I agree or disagree. I honestly don’t have enough biblical understanding on this question to form an opinion. My question was based on the fact that the U.S. is Israel’s military ally. Perhaps you gentlemen would explain why you believe the current state of Israel is not a continuation of the biblical Israel. I would be interested in knowing how you come to this conclusion, even if you had to post an entire article about it.
I come to this conclusion (though I don’t maybe hold to it as rigorously as Jew) due to the fact that the Old Covenant is no longer valid. The Jews rejected Jesus, so he rejected them and offered His salvation to the Gentiles in a New Covenant. However, there may be some end-times semi-fulfillment of portions of the Old Covenant, thus perhaps modern Israel is somewhat a continuation of biblical Israel.
“I come to this conclusion (though I don’t maybe hold to it as rigorously as Jew) due to the fact that the Old Covenant is no longer valid. The Jews rejected Jesus, so he rejected them and offered His salvation to the Gentiles in a New Covenant. However, there may be some end-times semi-fulfillment of portions of the Old Covenant, thus perhaps modern Israel is somewhat a continuation of biblical Israel.”
I have heard this argument, but I am still not settled on the matter. I haven’t reconciled all the Bible says about this to come to a conclusion. This is partly due to something you mentioned: the eschatology stuff. Darius and Jew, I wonder how your line of thinking fits in with Romans 10:19 - Romans 11:7.
19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
One possible explanation is that the remnant mentioned in verse 5 has to do with those who received Christ. That seems to be the most plausible in my view.
Yeah, I read that to mean Jews who accepted Christ.