The Jurisdiction of the State
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 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 13:1-7
I’m working on a series of posts having to do with my ‘utopic’ view of human society. Keeping in mind that I don’t believe in Utopias, and that I am not arguing against God’s created order…
One of the issues that has and will arise is the question of jurisdictions: the state, the church, and the family. And I found a list that I had earlier compiled with some of the men and women in Scripture that had to deal with the issue of ‘The Jurisdiction of the State’, and how they responded. Here is a quick note of some of the men I thought about and some of the ways they responded to State actions:
Daniel
-Served as an important official in a pagan government.
- And the whole Lions den thing. When confronted with an anti-God law he went home, opened his windows, and defied the law publically. He was punished but God rescued him from the punishment.
Shadrack et al.
-And the idol. They openly defied the orders to bow down and explained to the king why. They were punished and God rescued them from the punishment.
David and Saul
-Saul tried to arrest David, but he fled, and led a rebellion against Saul.
Peter and John et al
- Told not to preach they responded, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right to obey God or man…” They were often punished, and sometimes rescued by God.
Paul and the Jailer
-Paul seemed to be always in trouble with the local authorities and punished. Sometimes rescued from punishment. One time the Jail broke but he didn’t leave!
Joseph
- Served as an official in a pagan government, was given a wife by a pagan king, and saved his people via his office.
Esther
-Was taken as a wife (one of several) by a pagan king, broke the law to save her people, and then helped write laws.
Elijah and the men come to arrest him
- Some soldiers were sent to arrest him and he called fire to come down and burn them up.
Rahab the prostitute
-Hid the spies from the officials that were hunting for them.
Mordecai
-Refused to bow to a government official, turned in a couple of traitors, later helped write some laws.
Conclusion
These are just some of the men and women, and some of the ways they responded to the state. Food for thought. Stuff to keep in mind as the discussion continues.
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The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
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Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Good stories of people living in the moment with the wisdom available to them. A caution: Narrative is not normative. What principles can we find in Scripture to guide our thinking and acting when things go sideways? How ought we to discipline our thinking so that we do not merely do what someone else did in a similar situation but honor God in our situation? Preparation is everything, it seems to me.