At a public worship protest held in Moscow, Idaho on Saturday September 26, a counter-protester held up a sign that said "Romans 13".
As most of us know, what he meant by that is the oft-heard admonition to "submit to Government".
As a retired priest in the Anglican Church, I used to hear my fellow clergy and bishops use that teaching often. I have heard it a LOT this year as you might imagine.
But that teaching is wrong for at least two reasons. In the attached article, Craig Greenfield talks about translation issues that often lead to wrong biblical interpretations.
I want to talk about another reason. All that Paul, Peter, and the other Apostles knew about Government was that it was an institution run by the most powerful, the most connected, and the most ambitious of people. It was run, for the benefit of Government. In order to have any hope of spreading the radical Gospel of Jesus Christ during those times, people had to submit to the Government, rendering unto Caesar what Caesar said was Caesar's!
That is not the case in the United States of America. We are Governed because we give OUR assent to be Governed. Our founding documents declare that if our Government gets to the point of thinking we work for it, we can withdraw our consent and abolish that Government.
So, literally, Romans 13 is telling us to submit to ourselves. Our true citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. The Gospel we proclaim is not subservient to those around us who want to control us. Terrible laws made by the Government which we consent to exist have no claim on us, for the laws of God are the laws we follow.
Do not let the controlling ones use their twisted interpretation of Romans 13 to control you. What would Jesus do? He cleansed the temple, He threw out the money changers, He spoke truth to power. He showed us the way.
https://www.craiggreenfield.com/blog/romans13?fbclid=IwAR1UQDQax4aIyoB1l2Q5HD47EocmB9L5DzWzBpwhayOLv15zvJsczldWALQ
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