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Showing posts from February, 2011

Subject to the Governing Authorities

Christians argue with each other about the meaning and relevance of Paul’s exhortation to believers to be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-2). Obviously a tiny religious minority who revered a man executed as a criminal by the authorities had no leverage to secure its own benefit and liberty in an empire ruled by a pitiless emperor. As Paul saw it, the best chance for the early Christians to survive was to submit to the ruling authorities in all ways without resistance. The reason was simple: this authority had been established by God, so bucking civil authority was bucking God. The fact that civil authority was exploitive and oppressive was not important. Obedience was what was important. Now, however, Christians in the U.S. live in a polity constituted by free democratic elections where all alike participate on equal footing in the political processes. At least, that’s what we’re told and that’s what we believe. Unlike monarchy where the economic wealth flows f

Believe It, or Not!

Watching the president’s State of the Union address with the self-selected inter-party seating arrangements lowering the usual partisan hype, I found myself wondering whether the civility on display was merely ceremonially contrived for the occasion, or a genuine indication that our politicos recognize the importance of collaborative political work to achieve the common good. What are the possibilities that with divided government we might nonetheless be entering upon a more positive and productive period of governmental activity? Is there any chance that working relationships across the aisle will improve because minds have changed? No, I don’t think so. At least, there isn’t any evidence of it at this point. I don’t count a united front of congressional leaders and the administration on the political crisis in Egypt as evidence. That crisis will be resolved, but the matters over which there has been political rancor at home continue. As I watched the address and the res