Engaging Faithfully: Christians and Political Authority
Summary
### Summary
In Romans 13, Paul addresses the complex relationship between Christians and governmental authority. This passage is often cited to argue that Christians must obey the government unconditionally. However, this interpretation has been misused historically, such as in Nazi Germany and contemporary Zimbabwe, to justify oppressive regimes. The sermon aims to reorient our understanding of this text by examining the biblical perspective on authority and submission.
There are four common approaches to the relationship between the pulpit and politics: separation, equation, integration, and proclamation. The separation approach avoids political discussions, while the equation approach merges church and state, as seen in Vatican City. The integration approach uses Christianity as a political tool, exemplified by the moral majority. The proclamation approach, which I advocate, involves addressing political issues from the pulpit without compromising the church's primary mission of worshiping Christ.
The myth of the separation of church and state has led many to believe that religious leaders should not discuss political matters. However, this concept, originating from a letter by Thomas Jefferson, was intended to prevent the establishment of a state church, not to exclude religious perspectives from political discourse. The First Amendment supports this by prohibiting Congress from making laws that establish religion or impede its free exercise.
Politics, defined as the science of government and the regulation of a nation for its safety, peace, and prosperity, inherently involves moral decisions. Therefore, it is impossible to separate politics from morality. Every law legislates some form of morality, whether it concerns marriage, property, or social issues like abortion.
Christians must engage in political discourse because government authority is derived from God. Jesus, Paul, and Peter all addressed the importance of understanding and submitting to authority while recognizing its divine origin and limitations. Ignoring this responsibility leads to unchecked governmental power and the erosion of moral and ethical standards in society.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Authority and Submission: Romans 13 teaches that all authority is instituted by God, and Christians are called to submit to it. However, this submission is not blind obedience. It requires discernment to recognize when authority oversteps its God-given boundaries. This understanding helps prevent the misuse of scripture to justify oppressive regimes. [01:18]
2. The Role of the Church in Politics: The church must proclaim politics from the pulpit, not to establish a political empire but to provide a moral and ethical framework for governance. This involves addressing political issues from a biblical perspective, ensuring that the church remains a prophetic voice in society. [12:17]
3. The Myth of Separation of Church and State: The concept of separation of church and state was intended to prevent the establishment of a state church, not to exclude religious perspectives from political discourse. Understanding this historical context allows Christians to engage in politics without compromising their faith. [15:56]
4. Legislating Morality: All legislation is inherently moral, as it reflects the values and ethics of a society. Christians must recognize that political decisions impact moral and ethical standards and should engage in political discourse to uphold biblical principles. [30:09]
5. Eschatology and Political Engagement: Different eschatological views influence how Christians engage in politics. While some may see political involvement as futile, others recognize the importance of being salt and light in the political realm. Our hope is in Christ, but we are called to engage in politics to reflect His kingdom values on earth. [51:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - Introduction to Romans 13
[02:44] - Misapplication of Romans 13
[03:35] - Historical Misuse: Nazi Germany
[06:07] - Modern Misuse: Zimbabwe
[09:16] - Four Approaches to Pulpit and Politics
[10:05] - Separation of Pulpit and Politics
[11:06] - Equation of Pulpit and Politics
[12:17] - Proclamation of Politics from the Pulpit
[13:02] - Contextualizing Political Proclamation
[15:14] - The Myth of Separation of Church and State
[17:53] - First Amendment and Religious Freedom
[20:01] - Misunderstanding Politics and Morality
[30:09] - The Inseparability of Politics and Morality
[34:13] - The Necessity of Preaching Politics
[36:03] - Biblical Basis for Political Engagement
[41:22] - The Role of Eschatology in Political Engagement
[51:22] - Dispensational Premillennialism and Politics
[55:03] - The Importance of Political Engagement
[56:51] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)
> 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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 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, 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 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.
2. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)
> Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
3. Matthew 28:18 (ESV)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:1-7, what is the source of all governing authority? How should Christians respond to this authority? ([37:52])
2. In 1 Peter 2:13-17, what reasons does Peter give for Christians to submit to human institutions? ([36:03])
3. How does Matthew 28:18 relate to the concept of authority discussed in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2? ([34:13])
4. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the misuse of Romans 13? ([03:35])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that all authority is instituted by God (Romans 13:1) affect a Christian's view of government and political leaders? ([37:52])
2. What are the potential dangers of interpreting Romans 13 as requiring unconditional obedience to government authorities? ([03:35])
3. How can the church balance the proclamation of political issues from the pulpit with its primary mission of worshiping Christ? ([12:17])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between politics and morality? How does this challenge the common notion of the separation of church and state? ([30:09])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt conflicted about obeying a government authority. How did you navigate that situation, and what role did your faith play? ([37:52])
2. How can you discern when a governing authority is overstepping its God-given boundaries? What steps can you take to address this in a Christ-like manner? ([03:35])
3. In what ways can your church address political issues without compromising its mission to worship Christ? How can you contribute to this balance? ([12:17])
4. How does the understanding that all legislation is inherently moral influence your engagement in political discourse? Can you think of a recent political issue where this perspective was evident? ([30:09])
5. Considering the sermon’s discussion on eschatology and political engagement, how does your view of the end times influence your involvement in politics? Do you see political engagement as futile or necessary? Why? ([51:22])
6. How can you be salt and light in the political realm while maintaining your primary allegiance to Christ? Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect Christ's kingdom values in a political context. ([55:03])
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of understanding the limits of authority. How can you apply this understanding in your roles within your family, church, and community? ([39:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Discernment in Submission to Authority
Description: Romans 13 teaches that all authority is instituted by God, and Christians are called to submit to it. However, this submission is not blind obedience. It requires discernment to recognize when authority oversteps its God-given boundaries. This understanding helps prevent the misuse of scripture to justify oppressive regimes. Historical examples, such as Nazi Germany and contemporary Zimbabwe, illustrate the dangers of misapplying this passage to support unjust governments. Christians must balance respect for authority with a commitment to God's higher moral law. [01:18]
Romans 13:1-2 (ESV): "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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have struggled with submitting to authority. How can you discern whether this authority is acting within its God-given boundaries?
Day 2: The Church's Prophetic Voice in Politics
Description: The church must proclaim politics from the pulpit, not to establish a political empire but to provide a moral and ethical framework for governance. This involves addressing political issues from a biblical perspective, ensuring that the church remains a prophetic voice in society. By doing so, the church can guide believers in understanding how their faith intersects with political decisions and societal issues. This approach helps maintain the church's primary mission of worshiping Christ while engaging in meaningful political discourse. [12:17]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's role as a prophetic voice in society? What specific political or social issue can you address from a biblical perspective?
Day 3: Reexamining the Separation of Church and State
Description: The concept of separation of church and state was intended to prevent the establishment of a state church, not to exclude religious perspectives from political discourse. Understanding this historical context allows Christians to engage in politics without compromising their faith. The First Amendment supports this by prohibiting Congress from making laws that establish religion or impede its free exercise. This understanding empowers Christians to bring their moral and ethical convictions into the public square, influencing legislation and societal norms. [15:56]
1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent political issue that you felt strongly about. How can you engage in this issue while maintaining your Christian values and beliefs?
Day 4: The Inseparability of Politics and Morality
Description: All legislation is inherently moral, as it reflects the values and ethics of a society. Christians must recognize that political decisions impact moral and ethical standards and should engage in political discourse to uphold biblical principles. Every law, whether it concerns marriage, property, or social issues like abortion, legislates some form of morality. By participating in political discussions, Christians can help shape laws that align with God's moral standards, promoting justice and righteousness in society. [30:09]
Proverbs 29:2 (ESV): "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."
Reflection: Identify a law or policy that you believe reflects biblical morality. How can you support or advocate for this law in your community?
Day 5: Eschatology and Political Engagement
Description: Different eschatological views influence how Christians engage in politics. While some may see political involvement as futile, others recognize the importance of being salt and light in the political realm. Our hope is in Christ, but we are called to engage in politics to reflect His kingdom values on earth. This engagement is not about establishing a theocracy but about influencing society with Christ's teachings on justice, mercy, and love. Understanding our eschatological perspective can help us navigate political involvement with a balanced and hopeful outlook. [51:22]
Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
Reflection: How does your understanding of the end times influence your political engagement? What practical steps can you take to be salt and light in the political sphere today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have no idea how to talk about. We have no idea how to talk about government, politics, authority from a biblical perspective because we've never been taught how to talk about government, power, authority, politics from a biblical perspective." [02:44] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We're taught that we shouldn't be thinking about it at all and just shutting our mouths and obeying whatever is said by whoever has a position of authority because that's not our ground. That's not our turf. We're the church. That's the government. G-U-B-M-I-N-T. That's how you spell that, by the way." [03:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We must, we must, we must proclaim politics from the pulpit. Now, I'm going to explain that statement. But for now, I just want you to be uncomfortable with it. Because you are. And I know you are. Because I know what you've been taught. And I know what you've heard. Again and again and again." [12:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We're afraid because of misinformation and because of miseducation. All that stuff is bad. One of the things that you've been taught is this. That in America there's always been this wall of separation between church and state. And that that's a good thing." [15:14] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You cannot get away from politics. So stop buying that lie that says you have to as a Christian. You cannot. And here's the last question I want to leave you with. If not us, then who? If we are not going to be salt and light in that regard, then what are we saying?" [56:51] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It would be criminal for a pastor to merely talk about a wife's command to submit to her husband and not say anything to the husband about where his authority comes from and where its limits are. But we are supposed to do that with politics." [39:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We cannot preach through this without talking about politics. We cannot. We cannot. Most pastors preach only one side of politics that tells Christians to obey authorities and avoid the side of politics that defines and restrains authority." [37:52] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pastors must preach politics and morals. We must. Why? Because government is about authority and the Bible speaks clearly to it. Matthew 28, Matthew 28, 18. Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." [34:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So Romans 13 and how we think about politics. First of all, we're going to deal with the issue of authority. Authority and submission. We had a whole weekend conference on this and we'll refer back to some of those things. But this goes to the heart of what we believe about authority and submission." [43:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Are we called to submit to authority? Yes, we are. And to exercise authority? Yes, we are. But in order for us to do that, we've got to understand what God says about us. And we've got to understand what God says about authority." [46:31] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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