PEACE OR REVOLUTION?

In the USA, we have just come off a grueling presidential campaign. We have a president-elect who won the technical vote, but not the popular vote. The nation is deeply divided on the policies which might be instituted by the president-elect. Some ask, “How should the Church respond?” We first must acknowledge the Church is not monolithic in its assessment of the president-elect nor the policies which might be enacted.

There is a multitude of responses being voiced by both the committed and nominal members of the church. It is not as easy as saying this is what the evangelicals support and this is what the liberals resist. It is important to understand that those who self-identify as evangelicals and liberals both approach their support or resistance based on their theological approach to scripture. However, there are as many variations in each “camp” as there are people. Inconsistencies abound.

We know the early Christians lived in a hostile political environment. When the republic devolved into government by an emperor, considered to be a god, the conflict for Jews and Christians became more stressed. Jews and Christians held there is only one god, the god of Abraham, Issac and Jacob; the god revealed in Jesus the Christ. The policies and actions of the Empire often stood in sharp contrast with the theology and ethics of the Christian community. What advice do we find in the Gospel oriented Epistles in Scripture?

Three passages stand out: Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.…  I Timothy 2:2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.  I Peter 2:17 Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Were the writers really urging tacit support of the Empire, or did they insert such verses to be able to say to the Empire, “See you have nothing to fear from us. We pray for you and our followers are to submit to those in authority.” In I Timothy, the motivation for praying for governmental leaders and those in authority is clearly stated, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Russell Rathbun states, “It seems like Paul is trying to convince the powers that he is on their side. He says he was appointed a herald (a court-appointed crier) and an apostle. … He wants the Empire to know that he and his Christians have no argument with them.”  (http://thq.wearesparkhouse.org/yearc/ordinary25epistle/)

Eric Barreto writes, “But also here, we encounter a significant preaching challenge, especially in recent days characterized by protest and demands for change in pursuit of justice. Is the “quiet and peaceable life” always the ideal avenue for Christian faith? Haven’t we heard so often the call from preachers for protesters to be patient, for the oppressed to wait for justice? Too easily, we might preach a call to a quiescence that denies injustice, a peace that belies an underlying violence. Lest we become enablers of continued oppression, we ought to bring a critical eye to this text.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3035)

What then is the call to believers? Are we to pray for and submit to the governmental authorities so we may lead tranquil and quiet lives? Or, do we resist those policies which deny justice and the underlying violence that peace covers up?

I believe the answer is found in the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46. The New King James Version titles this section The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46&version=NKJV)  “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 4 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” When the government policies and leaders care for “the least of these,” it/they deserve the support of believers, if they do not resistance and pressing for change is the course believers must take.