Paulitics

by Eric K. Thomsen

I remember a professor in college warning my classmates and me to be careful when discussing two subjects—politics and women. He warned that these subjects make people angry more quickly than any others. He was right! In light of the upcoming election, however, the subjects of the Christian and his civic duty cannot be ignored.

In Romans 13:1-7, God’s definition of Christian civic responsibility is written by the Apostle Paul in the context of the Roman Empire. When Paul penned this letter, the city of Rome had a population that exceeded a million people, mostly slaves. Immensely wealthy, people from across the empire crowded into the city to see its amazing architecture firsthand. They brought with them the religions of their lands, making the city an important crossroad for the gospel.

Paul wrote this epistle to the church in Rome from Corinth in A.D. 57, at the conclusion of his third missionary journey. Although we don’t know how the church in Rome started, it had been in existence for some time before Paul wrote this, as Paul stated in Romans 1:8 that the faith of the Christians in Rome was already well known.

Paul did not start the church in Rome. He had never been to Rome prior to writing this letter. Yet, based on his opening statements in the first chapter of the epistle, it seems he wrote to the church to prepare them for a coming visit (1:10). The intention of both epistle and visit was to ground the young church in theology.

Because the Roman church was comprised of both Jews and Greeks, the doctrine of salvation was crucial. Paul covered this subject in the first 11 chapters, explaining salvation—from creation to covenant with Abraham to the importance of faith in the saving work of Christ. In chapters 12-15, however, Paul turned his attention to the results of salvation in the life of every Christian. It is in these chapters that Paul explained the role of the Christian in relationship to the government.

The Roman Christians lived in a different world than ours. Consider the social situation of the day—absolute, cruel, power-hungry rulers; slavery (at a ratio of three to one); high taxes; and religious persecution nearing its peak. With their difficult situation in mind, the primary principle in this passage—we will call it the Politic Principle—is especially powerful.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.”

What a statement. It’s unqualified, unlimited, and unconditional. To understand the full impact of Paul’s words in Romans 13:1, consider the original language. The phrase translated every soul is a Hebrew phrase meaning “every single one of you.” The emphasis is on individual responsibility. Every Christian has a civic responsibility. The verb translated be subject is imperative—the Greek word hupotasso, a military term commanding believers to line up and take orders from the higher powers. The text makes no distinction between good rulers and bad rulers, fair laws and unfair laws.

What is the sum truth of this statement—this “Politic Principle”? Christians are called to submit. This has not been difficult to this point in American history, because the laws are just for the most part, rightly representing divine truth. But if we face laws that are unjust and unfair in the future, according to this passage, we must remain submissive. Jesus made this clear when He said, “Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God, the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

The verses that follow clarify the principle further. First, God allows rulers to come to power (verse 1b). He will not be surprised by the results of the coming election, and to act as though He will deeply underestimates His ability. Second, rulers are “ordained” of God as ministers of order (verses 1c, 3, 4a) and governments perform God’s justice on earth (verse 4). To rebel against human government is to rebel against God (verse 2a), and such rebellion has dire consequences, both spiritual and man-made (verse 2b). In contrast, obedience to the government results in God’s glory (verse 3c).

So, with this Politic Principal in mind, what specific civic responsibilities does the Bible teach us to observe as believers?

• Pay Taxes (verses 6, 7). “Pay ye tribute…” I think we can infer from these blunt words that we are to carry out all of the expected civic responsibilities—vote, pay taxes, submit to jury duty, serve in the military, hold political office, and more. Too often, Christians want to “opt out” of civic responsibilities on the basis of their religious standing. I simply cannot find a basis for that in the Word of God. In contrast, Christians should be model citizens. The church should be the example, not the scapegoat!
  

• Pray (1 Timothy 2:1, 2a). “I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority.”
  

The most important civic responsibility for the Christian is prayer. Serious prayer. Something that every single believer can do! Without going into a detailed explanation of the various types of prayer listed in this verse—supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of thanks—the passage paints a clear picture. Pray, pray, pray. Pray for our leaders. Pray about our leaders. Pray for wisdom. Pray for spiritual health. Even pray imprecatory prayers—that is, pray for judgment or godly justice.
Above all, pray. Recall the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

• Live Peaceable Lives (1 Timothy 2:2b). Paul admonished Timothy to live a quiet, peaceable existence. We should make peace, not stir up trouble or make needless protests. We should live quiet, peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. Christians affect the society from the inside out by changing the hearts of the people, not the political structure of society.
  

• Let Your Life Speak Loudly (Titus 3:1, 2). “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.”
  

Paul instructs us to be careful about the manner in which we speak out against leaders. Can we disagree? Certainly. Ask Luther, Calvin, or Huss. Yet we should not speak in a way that demeans the name of Christ in our society.

After considering Paul’s political advice, and in light of today’s charged political climate, you may wonder, “Can one person really make a difference? Does my vote, my voice, my citizenship count? Can one life really affect the course of society?”

Consider Telemachus the Turkish monk who made a pilgrimage to Rome in the early 5th Century. When he reached the city, he inadvertently followed the surging crowd into the Coliseum. He was horrified to see two gladiators intent on killing each other. He leaped over the wall, and ran between the men, shouting, “In the name of Christ, forbear!”

Ashamed, the gladiators stopped fighting. The crowd, enraged that their bloodlust had been interrupted, began to heave stones at the little monk. In a matter of moments, Telemachus lay dead on the floor of the Coliseum. When the crowd saw what they had done, they fell silent and left the stadium one by one.

As a result of Telemachus’ actions, three days later, the Emperor ended the Games by official decree. [1] Can one life, lived well, with courage and action affect the course of a nation? Without a doubt!

About the Writer: Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine.