The state as false idol

Romans 13:1-7 has been weaponized by various efforts to recreate the United States of America in the image of White Christian nationalism. Christian pastors across the confessional and political spectrum must not remain silent as the Bible is twisted for ideological ends. My latest publication is a reflection on Romans 13:1-7 in light of the coming presidential election that is dividing our nation.

You can read the full text here:
https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/I3HFFRKZPU53JF3PTQIK/full

​In the essay, I reflect on the conflation of conservative politics and nationalism with Christianity, and urge readers to ask themselves why the apostle Paul—on the eve of being executed by the state—would demand blind obedience to the state. 

Traditionally, Romans 13 has been used to garner Christian support for the state by asserting that temporal governments are instituted by God to maintain the social order: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1). Considering that these arguments—from Augustine to Aquinas to Calvin to Niebuhr—were made in the post-Constantinian era when Christianity was the law of the land, it is important to acknowledge that Paul’s words were written when Christianity was illicit under Roman law, and Christians were often the victims of state persecution. Given this reality, why does Paul encourage Christians to submit to the state?

One reason is that Paul believed that the state has power only in this world, a world that is passing away (1 Cor 7:31). In the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul says that temporal governments are a proxy for a more insidious power, the demonic powers at war with God, and so God instructs believers to accept the state’s authority rather than incite political revolution because Christ has already triumphed on the cross: “For our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

The New Testament’s exhortation to believers to submit to the state are not the same thing as condoning every action of the state. Even as they submit to the state, Christians are called to non-violence and to a higher authority (Acts 5:29). The New Testament’s most persistent command is to love others and take care of others’ needs (e.g., John 13:34, 15:12; Rom 12:9; Phil 2:3–4; 1 John 3:16–18), including enemies (Luke 6:35–36). Therefore, when balancing the biblical demand for the rule of law— “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom 13:1)—with the apostle Peter’s exhortation, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29)—it is best to err on the side of Christ-like love and compassion.