A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that was in direct disagreement with what I think is good and right according to the Bible. It struck down the legal definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman (in the DOMA) and opened the door to other unions being considered, legally, "marriage."
Even before this decision, there seemed to be, among certain circles, an antagonistic relationship between Christians and the government. Certainly, there are instances where the government has justified this view, singling out--it seems--Christians and Christian organizations for harassment, making it seem like the original anti-establishment clause was originally aimed at silencing Christians in particular (which is, historically, the opposite of its intent). Many Christians returned the sentiment. They criticized the government for increasing secularism, liberalism, mismanagement, imperialism, and/or general violations of human rights. Some of them openly said that they would not pay taxes to or support such an evil regime.
While I can a see their perspective, I question if it is the reaction a Christian ought to have. The Bible is positively rife with commands that we respect the governing authorities. Romans 13 says that governments are established by God and continue by His authority to execute His pleasure, an idea that Christ Himself supported in His exchange with Pontius Pilate. It goes on to command us as Christians, that we "pay 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" (Romans 13:7). Peter also addresses reverence to the government in his list of commands in 1 Peter 2:17, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." The Bible also commands us to pray for leaders.
Some Christians seem to be of the mindset that these commands only apply to governments that are acting justly, godly, and supporting Christianity. If, in their minds, our government fails to meet those criteria, then they are free to dishonor it and stop supporting it.
The problem is that this is the opposite of the behavior modeled for us in the Bible. In the Bible, Jesus payed the temple tax that supported the religious ruling body of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, and also admonished people to obey their laws (Matthew 17:24-27 and 23:2-3). This was the same governing body which He spoke passionately about being corrupt, the same which actively opposed Him throughout His ministry, and would eventually have Him and many of his followers executed. Paul and Peter wrote their commands with an eye toward the Roman government of their day. The Roman emperors were the most infamous persecutors of Christianity in history. They were frequently bloody, corrupt, imperialistic tyrants with cult followings who worshiped them as gods in a pagan pantheon. Not a few of them teetered on the edge of narcissistic insanity. But the command to Christians of the day was to pray for, honor, financially support, and obey these people--viewing them as placed in their position of authority by God in order to do His will.
I am not saying that the government is incapable of abuse. Certainly, the Roman government committed horrible atrocities. But maybe as Christians we should have a different perspective on the government, one with higher respect for God's Word and His sovereignty. If we believe His Word, He placed the government over us for a good purpose, and even if they abuse the power He's given them, we are to respect the government as something God has established. That doesn't mean we have to always agree with the government or obey it over the Bible (Acts 5:29 is an excellent example of where civil disobedience is appropriate), but we should honor it. God, in His sovereignty, put the Supreme Court in place, as it is today, and allowed it the authority to do what it does, even when it chooses to redefine "marriage" to include unions the Bible deems profane. Has the government abused its power here? Probably so, but that doesn't mean we as Christians are free to dishonor it. It is still established by a God we must fear, Who commands us to honor our kings.
Even before this decision, there seemed to be, among certain circles, an antagonistic relationship between Christians and the government. Certainly, there are instances where the government has justified this view, singling out--it seems--Christians and Christian organizations for harassment, making it seem like the original anti-establishment clause was originally aimed at silencing Christians in particular (which is, historically, the opposite of its intent). Many Christians returned the sentiment. They criticized the government for increasing secularism, liberalism, mismanagement, imperialism, and/or general violations of human rights. Some of them openly said that they would not pay taxes to or support such an evil regime.
While I can a see their perspective, I question if it is the reaction a Christian ought to have. The Bible is positively rife with commands that we respect the governing authorities. Romans 13 says that governments are established by God and continue by His authority to execute His pleasure, an idea that Christ Himself supported in His exchange with Pontius Pilate. It goes on to command us as Christians, that we "pay 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" (Romans 13:7). Peter also addresses reverence to the government in his list of commands in 1 Peter 2:17, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." The Bible also commands us to pray for leaders.
Some Christians seem to be of the mindset that these commands only apply to governments that are acting justly, godly, and supporting Christianity. If, in their minds, our government fails to meet those criteria, then they are free to dishonor it and stop supporting it.
The problem is that this is the opposite of the behavior modeled for us in the Bible. In the Bible, Jesus payed the temple tax that supported the religious ruling body of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, and also admonished people to obey their laws (Matthew 17:24-27 and 23:2-3). This was the same governing body which He spoke passionately about being corrupt, the same which actively opposed Him throughout His ministry, and would eventually have Him and many of his followers executed. Paul and Peter wrote their commands with an eye toward the Roman government of their day. The Roman emperors were the most infamous persecutors of Christianity in history. They were frequently bloody, corrupt, imperialistic tyrants with cult followings who worshiped them as gods in a pagan pantheon. Not a few of them teetered on the edge of narcissistic insanity. But the command to Christians of the day was to pray for, honor, financially support, and obey these people--viewing them as placed in their position of authority by God in order to do His will.
I am not saying that the government is incapable of abuse. Certainly, the Roman government committed horrible atrocities. But maybe as Christians we should have a different perspective on the government, one with higher respect for God's Word and His sovereignty. If we believe His Word, He placed the government over us for a good purpose, and even if they abuse the power He's given them, we are to respect the government as something God has established. That doesn't mean we have to always agree with the government or obey it over the Bible (Acts 5:29 is an excellent example of where civil disobedience is appropriate), but we should honor it. God, in His sovereignty, put the Supreme Court in place, as it is today, and allowed it the authority to do what it does, even when it chooses to redefine "marriage" to include unions the Bible deems profane. Has the government abused its power here? Probably so, but that doesn't mean we as Christians are free to dishonor it. It is still established by a God we must fear, Who commands us to honor our kings.
