Answer to God, not governments
by Julian Mann, TCW:
THE Prayer Book Epistle reading for today, the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, is vital for a Christian understanding of the God-given role of secular government.
The New Testament passage is from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian Church in 1st Century Rome, chapter 13:
‘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 this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour’ (Romans 13v1-7 – King James Version).
The Emperor Nero was three years into his reign when Paul wrote this letter in around AD 57. Nero went infamously toxic later on and his misrule destabilised the empire.
Paul’s teaching here about the Christian’s relationship with the secular state is not all that the New Testament has to say about this subject. It also teaches that when there is a clear clash between the commands of God and a man-made ruling Christians must disobey the authorities. The Acts of the Apostles records that Peter and John refused to obey the ruling council in charge of 1st Century Jerusalem when they were told ‘not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus’:
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