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Introduction
W
hether God mandates that people submit to any and all
government command unconditionally or not has been
the subject of much debate, especially in recent years, and
is crucially important to the life of a Christian. Te Biblical text begging
this discussion comes mainly from Romans 13. For one to clearly
understand the true meaning of Romans chapter 13 and its application,
one must phrase the issue sufciently so proper investigation may yield
its truth. Whether God requires people to submit to the government dem-
onstrating or holding de factor power over their life and property without
reference to authority, purpose, or jurisdiction? Phrased more summar-
ily, whether submission to government is limited or unlimited? Of course,
this issue should not take for granted the elements of what true and
real government is. In fact, Romans chapter 13 presumes that a persons
submission is conducted towards true and real government. Tus, the
discussion of what constitutes true and real government must be under-
stood before the discussion of submission can be understood.
It is seemingly impossible to pose the issue stated above any difer-
ently. Can submission be said to exist as limited and unlimited at the
same time? To assert the one necessarily excludes the other as being
true. Te conclusion of the issue must be addressed in this context and
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in this light. In reaching the conclusion, this authors arguments are
supported primarily from the Bible because the meaning of Romans
chapter 13 must be discovered in light of the truths established by the
Holy Spirit which inspired Romans chapter 13 as well as all other Scrip-
ture. As well, the author uses the expositions of western philosophers
who were students of Gods natural and revealed laws. Romans 13:1-7
(kjv) expresses,
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.
For there is no power but of God: the powers that
be are ordained of God.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation.
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the
evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do
that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of
the same:
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good.
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minis-
ter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him
that doeth evil.
(5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for
wrath, but also for conscience sake.
(6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are
Gods ministers, atending continually upon this
very thing.
(7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honour to whom honour.
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By admission of most who would call himself or herself a Christian,
Romans 13
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whether in conservative or liberal terms, government is limited
because no reasonable person would admit that government is unlim-
ited in all regard. Such a position has been rejected almost universally
and in all religions. However, some Christians would atempt to limit
ones ability to resist government power by describing governments lim-
itations so narrowly as to render almost all government action ordained
of God, no mater how unjust. For example, such supposed narrow lim-
itations would be, government cannot tell me who to worship, to not
tell others about Jesus, or to kill another person. Tis feeble atempt to
suppose a constraint upon government, while at the same time apply-
ing that limitation only to those maters they deem are imposed by God
through Scriptures, is absurd, senseless and unsound.
If God has, in fact, limited government, as these Christians would
admit is necessary (since they would never want to be classifed as
believing a divine right of king to do whatever he wants), then these
limitations apply much more than just to ones personal worship or faith;
or just to an action that is on a shocking, unconscionable extremity of
human misconduct. For in truth, what these Christians are admiting is
that such actions by government are unjust and evil. But this begs ques-
tion, are those actions the only ones that Gods laws and creation reveal
are evil? Te answer is most certainly, no; for evil constitutes any and
all actions that oppose Gods creation and laws; the expressed purposes
for Gods earthly ministers; and Gods righteousness and ordinations.
As will be discussed in this book, evil includes a much larger scope of
actions than just shockingly extreme and absurd actions. Consequently,
the reasons for not submiting and even resisting to such evil govern-
ment actions include a much larger scope as well.
An exposition of the true meaning of these verses facially and
patently demonstrates that submission is limited based upon author-
ity, purpose and jurisdiction, as submission to any earthly authority
takes into consideration all of Gods creation, especially ones duties
to God, himself, his family and his neighbor.
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It behooves Christians
and all God-fearing people to study the issue more deeply, sincerely
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and soundly. Ultimately, submission to the higher powers becomes
a decision based upon the totality of the circumstances and involves
(perhaps) a sliding scale of submission depending upon all of ones con-
science and duties and the circumstances surrounding ones personal,
social, religious and political life. Eventually, as governments actions
become more and more evil, the cause of resistance towards govern-
ment becomes more and more righteous.