5 May 2006

Today, Ronald Sider continues to raise points about the offensive character of following Jesus in "Christ and Violence."

Is this kind of vigorous offensive compatible with Romans 13? Does not Paul call Christians to a nonresistant attitude toward even tyrannical governments? Again I think not. To think of nonresistance is to overstate the Pauline demand... Instead we are to be subject to whatever government exists for us.
...however, "to be subject is not at all the same as "to obey." ...the word Paul uses for "be subject" is not one of the normal words for "obey."
...it means surely recognizing that one is placed below it by God...It will not be uncritical, not a blind obedience to the authority's every command; for the arbiter of what constitutes "be subject to" in a particular situation is not the civil power but Christ.

We always return to Christ. In that power of our Lord, we find the way we are to walk within the realm of the principalities and power. That is not a lay down and obey. We respect the authorities but only as we are able to live within the Reign of Christ's love. Therefore, the power of the Church is a power that is cross shaped. We will not go along with abuses of power that treat people as objects. Imagine if the Church in Germany was able to stand up against the way power was being used in the middle of the last century. On the other hand, imagine what would happen in this country when elements of the Church align themselves so fully with the government - so as to become a power within it - that they model less of Christ's body and more of just another power with an agenda to put in place over other people. We are an offensive people and offensive people often find themselves on the cross or in the cross hairs. In the mean time, when the poor and the maginalized and those who do not "live" the way most "live" out their lives, are treated with less honor than the rich, the ones in control and the majority, we are called to follow the way of the Christ. Sometime that will be with a simple "no." At other times, that will be with our votes. At other times, it will demand our lives.

Connection: There are many ways to say "no" to powers and authorities that attempt to rule over us with a heavy hand. Each of us must prayerfully consider how that will happen in our own lives.

Lord, be for us the encouragement to follow you alone so that we will more fully see how we are to be involved with the powers of our day. When your rule takes us in a direction of resistance, remind us that you stand alongside to help us to prayerfully consider how we are to be faithful to you above all powers. Amen.