The Obedient Government-II

GOVERNMENT IS

PROTECTOR: The Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles are filled with stories of the Kings of Judah and Israel protecting their people against invaders, such as the Philistines, the Ammonites, the Arameans, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and more.  In Romans 13:3-4, Paul writes, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad....for the authority does not bear the sword in vain." It appears that there are times when governments must use a heavy hand to protect the good within their sphere.

     However, the government is to use the heavy hand in relation with the other functions which are to minimize or prevent any violent government actions.  Violence is to be the last resort of government. See the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, and Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6.  

PEOPLE CENTERED: Government is to respect the humanity of all.  As the Church says, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)  People are valued.  The Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31) sets the standard for honoring all humanity.  Paul writes in I Corinthians 12:26: "If one member suffers, all suffer with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."  Yes, Paul is addressing congregational culture, but the Church, the congregation, are the crucibles for governmental actions.  As the Church cares for people, so are governments to care for people.  Why?  Because all people are created in the Image of God.

CALLED TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO FREEDOM: The Exodus story found in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy is a journey to freedom, a journey to the Promised Land.  After decades of oppression in Egypt as slaves, God led the People of Israel to new life.  Moses and the tribal leaders, the government, were responsible for leading them to Canaan. As the song goes, "Let my people go!" Governments are to lead their people to freedom, out of oppression, out of slavery, to a new free life.    

TO INSURE ENOUGH FOR ALL: The Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25 was meant to level the economic playing field once every 50 years, in an attempt to make sure all people had land and resources for life.  The wealthy and powerful were not given a forever license to scarf up all land for their own profit and use the rest of the population for their slaves or indentured servants.  In Amos 2:6ff, we read, "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals."  In Acts 2:45, we read that the People of the Way "...would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need."  Everyone is to have enough for living.  Government is to insure that all people have enough for life!

TO GUARANTEE UNBIASED COURTS: We read in Exodus 23:2-3, "You shall not follow a majority in wrong-doing; when you bear witness in a lawsuit, you shall not side with the majority so as to pervert justice; nor shall you be partial to the poor in a lawsuit."  In other words, courts are to be unbiased in making their judgements. Leviticus 19:15 says, "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great."  Governments are to guarantee that the courts adhere not to ideology but to truth for the sake of the common good.  Lady Justice is blind!

TO EXPOSE EVIL: "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, but everything exposed by the light becomes visible." (Ephesians 5:11-12).  James 5:16 urges us to "...confess your sins to one another,...so that you may be healed." Healing comes through openness, through a mantra of "If you mess up, fess up." "The truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Cover-ups are wrong.  To deal creatively with what is wrong and causing discord, the truth of what is actually happening needs to be engaged.  Governments are to insist on this practice.

NEXT: Part III and the Conclusion

Peace!

Ron 

The Obedient Government

God ordains government.  God ordains government to help fulfill God's purpose: to make real the Reign of God. 

Previous blogs have focused on the purpose and character of the NRA, the National Rifle Association. A consistent theme among the leadership of the NRA is a fear of governmental control, the threat of a tyrannical government denying the unrestricted right to bear arms. Consistent with this theme is the rise of Libertarianism, near unbridled individual freedom, and the Tea Party mantra of getting the government off our backs.

Certainly, history is crowded with examples of oppressive governments.  Yet, governments have remained, for better and for worse.  Why?  Because inherent within people is the need.  The Biblical witness conveys this need, and lifts up how God fills this need.  God does not ordain every government, but God does ordain values and character that governments are called to bring to the table of life.  

The crucible of government is the Church, the Synagogue.  Each is a holy government, called to make real the Reign of God among followers who in turn reflect God's reign in their homes, places of work, and the wider world.  Holy values are to be carried into the political sphere, where they are to promote God's will.  What are some foundational holy values?  

GOVERNMENTS ARE TO REFLECT GOD'S WILL

Paul writes: "...there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore, whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed." (Romans 13:1-2) Similarly, we read "Therefore, be imitators of God...." (Ephesians 5:1a).  Governments have a calling to do what God purposes them to do because God has given them the authority.  It is authority with a huge caveat: Because you are of God, reflect the character, the will of God.  God does not give governments license to oppress.  Authority is narrowly defined: that your authority imitate Christ.  Or, in the words of Rabbi David Saperstein: "Because God says so!"

GOVERNMENTS ARE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER

TO REFLECT HOLY WILL

Moses was directed by God to gather Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel to receive the Law of God.  (Exodus 24:1-14) These were leaders of the 12 Tribes of Israel.  Jesus had a government of twelve disciples and he also sent out 70 advance preachers and organizers to prepare and gather people for his arrival.  (Luke 10:1-12)  Similarly, Paul organizes the church into a body with many members, many gifts, for the purpose of evangelizing the world. (I Cor 12:12-31)  The People of God are brought together by a Christly government to perform a purpose.

GOVERNMENTS ARE TO CREATE A PATH

The People of God, the Church, the Synagogue, are guided by laws.  Laws create a path.  Paths guide our actions.  God does not leave us alone to figure out life's calling and foundational values. Remember Yahweh giving Moses the Ten Commandments.  Remember the Holiness Code in Leviticus 17-26, which "...centers on behaviors and rituals that promote communal stability in the interrelated spheres of daily life and worship." (Brueggemann) Holy laws also fill the chapters of Deuteronomy.  Significantly, Moses is carved into the frieze above the entrance to the United States Supreme Court Building.  The Greatest Commandment reads: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.... and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) Laws are a path. 

GOVERNMENTS ARE TO CREATE ORDER AND DISCIPLINE 

Centrifugal force throws us outward to wherever.  Government is like a centripetal force which draws people together, otherwise we would scatter to oblivion. Order and discipline are its' outgrowths. Paul writes: "Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.  Do you wish to have no fear of the authority?  Then do what is good.  But of you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain. It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:3-4) It is important to recognize that these verses are bookended by the admonition to love. (See Chapter 12 and verses 13:9ff) Those in authority are not given a blank check to oppress.  Their purpose is to love.  Similarly, in Titus 3:1 we read: "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone." Obedience to rulers and authorities is linked with gentleness, respect, and courtesy. This means that those who rule and are in authority are also to be held to the same standard. All things are connected.

The Biblical witness provides foundational values and a holy character which can ebb and flow between Church, Synagogue, and State.  The connection is grace-filled as they flavor each other.

More next time.

Peace!

Ron Letnes