Trigger Warning - No Other Gods

6/16/2018

This image should offend any Christian, but suppose that it's a satirical representation of a cancerous teaching within the church.

One interpretation of the Bible suggests that the political laws of man must always be followed (Rom 13, "Render unto Caesar", etc) But this interpretation disregards the first commandment "No other gods before Me".

Most "believers" are unwilling to interpret the Bible in the perspective that God's law must take priority over man's law, because this belief requires them to:

1. Accept that all persons (citizens, police, soldiers, politicians, everyone) are individually accountable to God. There is no "I was just following orders/leaders." excuse.

2. Accept that the political state, its laws, and its authority figures are illegitimate and should not be honored beyond the Laws of God. Have you ever noticed that many of the biblical heroes find themselves in the king's prisons, lion's dens, etc.? Clearly they didn't read Romans 13.

3. Explore the question of What laws ARE legitimate?

Interestingly a major theme of the Bible is one of God's people refusing to follow the first commandment and choosing instead to worship their invented false authorities/gods.

The epic story continues...

2 Comments

Joshua Clayton

6/17/2018 10:39:54 am

I think you may have proposition 2 very wrong, or at least inverted. The earthly authorities, by and large are legitimate, if flawed. Not only Romans 13, but Ephesians 6:5-8, Jesus' statement to Pilate, and our own Article of Faith #12. We should put God first, but absent a contradictory Higher Law of Higher Summons, we should heed the powers that be, whether that be parents, governemnt, local law enforcement, or even an obnoxious boss. This is a bitter pill because the earthly authorities are all temporary and all flawed, and as often as not, oppressive. The desire to resist comes most often from self-righteousness, rather than actual righteousness. When framed that way, #3, becomes a different more interesting question. If the powers that be are all legitimate, (as long as God allows them to remain,) how shall I know when it is right to break the law, violate the social contract, disobey parents or in some other way rebel, in order to submit to God and his higher law? It is a fraught and delicate question.

Elijah Stanfield

6/23/2018 08:26:17 am

Thanks for commenting Joshua.
Your view is very popular among modern Christians, but exactly wrong in my view. Those scriptures explain that worldly authority is "suffered" by God only under certain conditions. Anything less or more than those conditions is evil and illegitimate. It is the Kings and Presidents who are required to obey "the law" before we subjugate ourselves.
Yet , as you say, resistance is not what is asked of us. We will suffer under illegitimate worldly laws, but we shouldn't participate in it. There are numerous scriptural stories that support my view and not many that contradict. If the kind wants to put you in prison, tax you, spy on you - than we suffer through it and rely on the Lord to help us through. But when the King requires you to bow to him, not pray, kill, steal you ignore/refuse and continue obeying "the law".

About the Author

Elijah Stanfield is a media producer in Washington State. He has received degrees from The Delaware College of Art and Design and the Rhode Island School of Design.

A longtime student of Austrian economics, history, and the classical liberal philosophy, Elijah has dedicated much of his time and energy to promoting the ideas of free markets and individual liberty. Some of his more notable works include producing eight videos in support of Ron Paul's 2012 presidential candidacy and providing Illustrations for The Tuttle Twins series of children's books.

He currently resides in Richland with his wife, April and their 6 children.

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