ROMANS 13:1-7: Did God Write The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution?

Reading the Scriptures

I will never forget the first time someone told me that God forbids taking up arms and rebelling against the government as the American Revolutionaries did. 

I responded, "What are we supposed to do, then?" They said, "Raise our children. Live the Christian life. Do good deeds, etc."

That may have been the first time it dawned on me that the church and America were different, and that I could no longer view the two as the same any longer.

If America was founded by the willingness to rebel against England and take up arms as an organized group in defense of their rebellion, and God says to be subject to ruling authorities, then there's no way the American Colonists could have been obeying God in doing so. My realization about my country's origin affected my Christian identity, and I didn't know how to fill the void when it was detached from being American. 

In a bizarre way, it is not as upsetting now that America seems to be approaching, if not already at, the point where we can really question the veracity and legitimacy of the view of authority that most of us have been taught from the generations following World War II.

Stanley Hauerwas gives an insightful recommendation when interpreting Romans 13:1-7:

Never read Romans 13 without first reading Romans 12:14ff, because then you begin to see that “bless those who persecute you” applies also to Caesar... Then you’ll see how Americans have failed to read Paul well, because they want to read Paul as underwriting democratic presuppositions of government that assume, ‘somebody’s gotta kill somebody in the name of Jesus.’ Now, that’s what I don’t think Paul will let you do, if you read Romans 12 in relationship to Romans 13. That’s why we have so little good religious discourse in this country, because most American Christians don’t know how to read the Bible well. And they don’t know how to read the Bible well because they’re Americans before they’re Christians.

The part of Hauerwas' quote that stuck with me is, "that's why we have so little good religious discourse in this country" and also that "we don't know how to read the Bible well," because we are "Americans before we are Christians." Wow. This seems so true to me based on the authoritarian society that America has progressively become since World War II.

There is little to no discussion or dialogue (Acts 20:7) about the specific, historical context of passages like Romans 13:1-7 or Hebrews 13:17 because everything is about how right we are and how everybody else should submit to our righteousness. This is nowhere more evident than in the preaching and leadership of many American churches of Christ with which I am familiar.

Jeremy Marshall seems to expose that the church imitates the American authoritarian and interventionist state:

1 Pet. 4.15 says, “If you suffer … it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs” (NLT). I don’t mean to suggest that we have a mess of murderous thieves among us, but might it be that some of us have been guilty of being troublemakers who pry into the affairs of others? I am suggesting that some who are counted as “leaders” among us... have been (inadvertently, of course) trifling busybodies, which in a liberal secular culture like the U.S. is seen by some as being about as bad as killing and stealing. I would offer that we need to quit being busybodies in Caesar’s (and our neighbors’) affairs, and start attending more to the forms of life to which the church is called.

This certainly would be in keeping with not rebelling and taking up arms in defense of that rebellion and seems like it would lead to good religious discourse, the lack of which was lamented by Hauerwas. Certainly, it would help us read the Bible well and be more Christian than American. 

His comment also draws attention to what I have longed believed about American churches that they are somewhat blind to their own imitation of the state through a morally superior attitude. We all know how the government intrudes into our lives thinking they can do better for us than we can do for ourselves, and church leaders can often do the same based on this same view of authority.

WHAT IS MY VIEW OF ROMANS 13:1-7?

First, let me say that I believe in defending myself and my family in real-time threatening situations, but I also think that after an event has occurred, and danger has passed, then at that point self defense is not the issue--avenging and revenging become the issue which are what I believe Paul is addressing in Romans 12-13 and Hebrews 11-13. He clearly states that that is what Caesar and God do, not what we as Christians are to concern ourselves with as a group. 

I think that forgiveness is the answer to breaking the cycle of violence after an event such as 911 occurs, for example. And that is what Christians should be known for--supporting the forgiving of our enemies, not taking part in the avenging or revenge. I think Marshall makes a valid point that Paul is not instituting a principle for all time concerning church and state:

"Contrary to much popular teaching on Rom. 13, the one thing it does not do is function as a systematic account of Church and State. Indeed, I would argue that nothing in Paul ever stands as a “systematic account” of anything, since his letters were occasional and ad hoc."

If this is the case, then Christian participation within the state's system must be taken on a case by case basis. This assumes, of course, that our enemies are unprovoked which is hardly the case with American intervention in the Middle East over the last 65 years. 

Personally, I believe 911 was a case of blowback which the American people do not realize was a consequence of foreign operations we were not aware of and that Americans could not put it in context. The American response that followed in Iraq was not righteous avenging from Caesar nor God in my view. It was the neo-con fueled Bush Doctrine of preemptive war of aggression. As such, I don't see how Christians could support that American response anymore.

By forgiveness, I simply mean 'letting it go' for one's own spiritual benefit rather than be consumed by it becoming like one's enemy (killing innocents), and which would by extension release one's enemies from fear of retribution. 

Many of us view sayings, like Geo. W. Bush's through a bullhorn standing on a pile of rubble, "The people that knocked down these buildings will hear from us soon," accompanied by a  follow-up of American Invasions in Afghanistan and Iraq as justice. But is it justice to spawn an environment that cultivates the killing fields for hundreds of thousands of civilians and then go participate and profit from that? Did it take courage? Yes, but how could contributing to more innocent deaths be "justice" or the righteous "avenging" Paul mentions?

I view Paul speaking in Romans 13 (and Jesus in Matt. chps. 5--7 from which Paul bases his instructions) to a community, or nation, separate from all other nations of man. I think that Paul does not emphasize the individual standpoint that American Enlightenment Thinking emphasizes, but that he means more what we as a Christian community, or nation of God, should promote by our example and teaching as a group of people (Matt. 21:43, KJV). 

I am not attempting to compartmentalize and justify physical violence to the individual realm whatever one believes physical violence to mean. (Even a definition of what physical violence is would be different to various people). What I mean by "defending myself and family in real time" is stopping an intruder, robber, or drugged-up fiend. 

That is my only intent: to stop and prevent harm to myself and my family in a real time threatening situation where another has chosen to harm me and my family unprovoked by us. There's nothing preemptive. Escape is my first choice. I separate this from the "avenging" and "revenging" Paul speaks of in Romans 12-13 and Hebrews 11-13, especially as he applies it to Rome and Jerusalem in these passages respectively.

I am more concerned with the timing of the "physical violence," and the individual and community differences in self defense and avenging. These don't come close to justifying the wars of aggression that are the normal operations for the current American State. I am also speaking of the taking up arms as a group, and how not doing this distinguishes Christians from all other nations in the world. I feel that my agreement with John Yoder's interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 (see below) is consistent with my views in my other articles, especially, Hebrews 13:17 found here.

The real problem among American Christians, as I see it, is switching back and forth between the abstract and concrete in Romans 13:1-7. What I mean is that, when pressed, I believe most would say, "No, God did not create the USA, or write the Declaration of Independence or US Constitution." Thomas Jefferson and James Madison did. But, rather than then discuss the original, progressive, and current status of this concrete "authority, power, ruler, etc." most retreat back to the abstract interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 and say "any or all" government authority. 

As a result, the status quo continues and worsens. No real application is made in real time, concretely, that could affect anything. Strangely, conservatism is contributing to its own demise in this way by not engaging in discourse, but relying on a religious version of State authority everyone is expected to submit to based on its own inherent righteousness.

Another surprising element is that most think that America is a capitalist nation, but it has become fascist over the last 100 years. I don't expect that those who are not ready to receive this will, but their rejection, nor my suggestion, makes it so. It either is or isn't. Time will reveal who is accurate. If I were speaking of Benito Mussolini in Italy in 1922, most would not have a problem looking into what I am suggesting, or in even condemning it, but when its 1945-2015 USA, then it's not as welcomed.

Fascism and Democratic Socialism both emanate from government controlled capitalism which is exactly what America has been for the last 75 years. They are natural progressions of government growth and intervention over time. None of these three are free markets of equality where the same rules apply to all. 

What exists is an elite group (representatives) separate from the rest that can operate by a separate set of rules supposedly for the common good and benefit of all since the people vest (vote) their power into them, but I seriously question that the common good is being achieved by either class of rulers and subjects. I think the American System has become a way of avoiding responsibility through the means of voting one's power-responsibility into a representative who they can then blame. The dysfunction of this system is crystal clear.

Nevertheless, for a brief overview of the historical context leading up to and including Romans 13:1-7 see:

https://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/romans-13-in-context-sword-pacifism/

For a response to Christians using Romans 13 to take up arms against governments see:

https://neoprimitive.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/on-romans-12-13-and-matt-5-38-48-as-a-witness-to-caesar-a-sometimes-hostile-neighbor/

I have benefited greatly from Michael Snow and Jeremy Marshall's work.

ROMANS 12:14--13:7

From the larger context of nonconformity and love in Romans 12:1 through 13:14, Romans 13:1-7 in the Contemporary English Bible reads:

"Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good."

"Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God. So anyone who opposes the authority is standing against what God has established. People who take this kind of stand will get punished. The authorities don’t frighten people who are doing the right thing. Rather, they frighten people who are doing wrong. Would you rather not be afraid of authority? Do what’s right, and you will receive its approval. It is God’s servant given for your benefit. But if you do what’s wrong, be afraid because it doesn’t have weapons to enforce the law for nothing. It is God’s servant put in place to carry out his punishment on those who do what is wrong. That is why it is necessary to place yourself under the government’s authority, not only to avoid God’s punishment but also for the sake of your conscience. You should also pay taxes for the same reason, because the authorities are God’s assistants, concerned with this very thing. So pay everyone what you owe them. Pay the taxes you owe, pay the duties you are charged, give respect to those you should respect, and honor those you should honor."

Concerning the phrase/word "put in place," "ordained," "established," and "appointed" in the CEB, KJV, NIV, and NKJV respectively,

John Yoder writes:

"God is not said to create or institute or ordain the powers that be, but only to order them, to put them in order…. It is not as if there was a time when there was no government and then God made government through a new creative intervention; there has been hierarchy and authority and power since human society existed. Its exercise has involved domination, disrespect for human dignity, and real or potential violence ever since sin has existed. Nor is it that by ordering this realm God specifically, morally approves of what a government does. The sergeant does not produce the soldiers he drills; the librarian does not create nor approve of the book she or he catalogs and shelves. Likewise God does not take the responsibility for the existence of the rebellious “powers that be” or for their shape or identity; they already are… This is true of all governments…. of dictators and tyrants as well as to constitutional democracies….. The call is to a nonresistant attitude toward a tyrannical government. This is the immediate and concrete meaning of the text; how strange then to make it the classic proof for the duty of the Christian to kill."

Yoder continues:

"It is not by accident that the imperative of 13:1 is not literally one of obedience. The Greek language has good words to denote obedience, in the sense of completely bending one’s will and one’s actions to the desires of another. What Paul calls for, however, is subordination. This verb is based upon the same root as the ordering of the powers of God. Subordination is significantly different from obedience. The conscientious objector who refuses to do what government demands, but still remains under the sovereignty of that government and accepts the penalties which it imposes, or the Christian who refuses to worship Caesar but still permits Caesar to put him or her to death, is being subordinate even though not obeying…. The willingness to suffer is then not merely a test of our patience or a dead space of waiting; it is itself a participation in the character of God’s victorious patience with the rebellious powers of creation."

His conclusion: 

"Romans 12-13 and Matthew 5-7 are not in contradiction or tension…. They both call on the disciples of Jesus to renounce participation in the interplay of egoisms which this world calls 'vengeance' or 'justice.''

See also Hebrews chapters 11-13 for this context when applied to Jerusalem in addition to Rome.

The primary response of the Christian community, then, is not vengeance in any form, but endurance and forgiveness. These are the superior forms of character that Christ possessed and that our leaders and we are to imitate (Heb. 13:7ff).

It's pretty obvious that Paul derives his teaching in Romans 12-13 and Hebrews 11-13 directly from Jesus' Instruction from the Mount. All three chapters in Matthew 5--7 should be reviewed, but especially 5:43-48:

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I conclude with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's thoughts as quoted by Marshall.

From his book The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer writes:

"The world exercises dominion, the Christian serves, and thus he shares the earthly lot of his Lord, who became a servant … How is it then so easy for the Christians to find themselves in opposition to the powers? Because they are so easily tempted to resent their blunders and injustices. But if we harbor such resentments we are in mortal danger of neglecting the will of the God we are called to serve. If only Christians will concentrate on perceiving what is good and on doing it as God commands, they can live “without fear of the authorities” … For what has a Christian to fear, so long as he remains faithful to his Lord and does that which is good? … That is the one thing necessary. It does not matter what others do, but what we do … "

"The starting point of St. Paul’s thinking is always the church, and his sole concern is its well-being and manner of life. So much so, he feels obliged to warn the Christians to refrain from any unjust or evil conduct themselves, but does not utter a single word of reproach to the State … St. Paul is talking to the Christians, not the State. His concern is that Christians should persevere in repentance and obedience wherever they may be and whatever conflict should threaten them. He is not concerned to excuse or condemn any secular power. No State is entitled to read St. Paul’s words as a justification for its own existence. Should any State take to heart these words, they would be just as much a challenge to repentance for the State as they are for the Church … St. Paul certainly doesn’t speak to the Christians this way because the governments of this world are so good, but because the Church must obey the will of God, whether the State be good or bad..."

"The Christian should receive praise from authority. If instead of praise he incurs punishment and persecution, what fault is that of his? After all, he was not looking for praise when he did that which brought him punishment, nor did he do good for fear of punishment. If he meets with suffering instead of praise, his conscience is clear in the sight of God, and he has nothing to fear … This is why the government cannot hurt the Christian’s conscience even if it makes a mistake. The Christian is still free and has nothing to fear, and he can still pay the State its due by suffering innocently. He knows that when all is said and done the sovereign power belongs to God and not to the State, which is only his minister."

 CONCLUSION

If the church is to actually be the called out of the world as we so often claim then let us not relegate our application to a realm of worship wars with Catholic and Protestant believers but with war itself. If we as Christian communities are to be shining lights to the world, then we must give up the dark methods of the world.

God did not create the USA anymore than He created or "ordained" Rome, Greece, or Babylon. They were creations of men whom God "orders" or aligns within His will. Our existence as Christians is completely separate. God wrote the Bible not the Declaration of Independence or Constitution.

If we need more conservatism, then it needs to be in a return to a faith in God, not a faith in a document written by men 225 years ago and the military industrial application of it over the last 65 years. We need godly examples of imitating Christ in churches of Christ, not representatives vested with power who make decisions for us.

Chaos will not reign if the masses don't submit to the kind of authority running America.

Chaos is coming because of American authoritarian progression and intervention.