Today's Scripture Reading (April 28, 2024): Romans 13
Andrew van der Bijl (1928-2022) was a Christian
Dutch missionary. In English-speaking countries, Andrew became better known as "Brother
Andrew." He is also known as God's smuggler because of his practice of
smuggling Bibles and other Christian literature behind the Iron Curtain during
the Cold War of the 20th Century. Brother Andrew's smuggling of Christian
literature into these countries was in an attempt to share the Gospel of Christ
where the Gospel had been forbidden. He violated the nation's laws, duly set up
by ruling authorities, but these violations were celebrated within the Western
Church.
Romans 13 sets up an interesting situation.
Strictly speaking, the actions of Brother Andrew behind the Iron Curtain during
the Cold War violated the instructions found in Romans 13. Brother Andrew was
committed to an act of rebellion against the laws of the land. He was rebelling
against the authority; therefore, according to this passage, he was not only
rebelling against human authorities but also against God. As a result, we have
developed a secondary condition placed on this instruction of Paul. We
interpret Paul's words with the condition that Paul intended that we should
follow the instructions of the authorities and rulers as long as they don't
contradict the wishes of God. God wants all to be saved. As a result, Andrew
was not contravening God's wishes, just those of human authorities.
The solution to the Romans 13 paradox has
always confused me. Basically, it just means that we are to follow all of the
rules of authorities as long as we agree with them (God obviously agrees with
my sense of right and wrong). Brother Andrew disagreed with restrictions that
prohibited Christian literature from being taken behind the Iron Curtain, and
he felt that God also would disagree, so, therefore, his rebellion did not
violate the instructions of Romans 13.
This emphasis on Romans 13 has long been a
question among biblical scholars. And often, it becomes a question when
politicians use the verse to support their policies and decisions. If God
placed our leaders into their positions, are we not duty-bound to follow them?
The issue of slavery in Europe and North America boasted support from this
passage. Evangelical Christians have made a lot over the concept that Donald
Trump is God's man for this moment in time. According to Romans 13, this is
very true, but be careful; Romans 13 would also assert that Barack Obama and
Joe Biden were God's men for their moments on the world stage. And in Canada,
that would also include Justin Trudeau.
I am not sure what we do with Paul's words
here. But maybe where we need to come down on the issue of following the rules
of our secular leaders is that, as Christians, we need to be careful and weigh
carefully the places where we show our rebellion. We must ask if this is a hill
on which we really want to die. Is it really that important? For Brother
Andrew, the answer was an unqualified yes. But sometimes, our decision to rebel
against authority is not always such a clear decision.
Tomorrow's Scripture
Reading: Romans 14
Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my
Grandson, James. Have a great day, Jay-Bird.
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