Whenever we quote a single Bible verse to support an argument, we’re wandering into precarious territory. I know this from personal experience. You see, there are a number of factors in play when we quote/interpret the Bible. One needs to consider the context of the passage (To whom was this text written and why). One needs to recognize the literary genre of the text (We read poetry differently from prose or Jesus’s parabolic material). We need to know if this verse is part of larger argument comprised of many verses. (Pulling one verse out of context may not be congruent with the larger argument offered by the writer).
Last week a government official quoted a verse from Romans 13 to justify the government’s action to separate illegal immigrant children from their parents. The official quoted Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
The official suggested that this passage indicates that Christians are to observe the laws of the land- no matter what…
While it is generally good for the basic law and order of any land to observe laws, is it always true? Should Christians in Russia submit to the laws of Vladimir Putin regardless of what is prescribed? What about Christians living in North Korea or in Hitler’s Germany? (Jesus actually resisted Roman law and was subsequently executed)
What’s more, this particular verse in Romans 13 is part of a larger argument in Romans 13 that concludes in the end that the law of love should rule over our hearts. Romans 13:10, “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” St. Paul is anticipating the imminent return of Christ and is offering counsel to Christians living in this in-between time. He suggests that they should abide by the law. But, I don’t think he intends this to be a truth if the law violates one’s allegiance to God.
Additionally, does this one verse in Romans 13 override the 97 other verses in the Bible that suggest that we are to look out for the stranger, the foreigner, and the immigrant because the people of Israel were once immigrants themselves?
My point is that reading this verse out of context may not offer a teaching seemingly as obvious as the official suggested.
Governments can take whatever action they wish, under the confines and structures of their constitutions, even if they are inhumane. My request is that they do not use our holy scripture to justify actions that run contrary to the heart of the Christian gospel. If they do, it seems to me that we are to resist, as Christ our Lord resisted.
Peace,
Pastor Dan
