Under Cover

Our church started a new Wednesday night class from a John Bevere video series entitled Under Cover. In it, Bevere deals with the Christian mandate to obey the higher powers. He begins with the call from the book of Romans chapter 13. If you've ever been a naughty boy or girl then you've probably heard these verses quoted often.

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 minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.

He correctly points out that rebellion is a form of witchcraft, but I'm unsure if he would agree with my logic. (1 Sam 15:23)

If he'd thought it out thoroughly he would realize that America was established by witchcraft. Don't agree? Well, let's follow John Bevere's reasoning.

If indeed, John Bevere was correct in his interpretation of Paul's admonishment to obey their Roman rulers means that we should do likewise with ours, then it has several reprecussions. Namely, this country is not a Godly country at all. Its very foundations were based in rebellion, ergo witchcraft. The English colonies rebelled against their God-given rulers, going so far as to war against them. In doing so they were practitioners of witchcraft.

However, since I'm French this doesn't apply to me because it was the English who were fighting against their rulers in rebellion. Since the French weren't under the authority of the English it is perfectly acceptable for them to war (if they were Christians it wouldn't be) against non-rulers. When Napolean sold the French part of America in the Louisiana Purchase, we (French colonists) merely transferred over, thus earning our good graces with the Lord.

Aint logic fun?

I don't particularly like what Paul says in Romans 13, but since it wasn't just Paul iterating the concept I have to take it into account. 1 Peter 2:13, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors."

Okay, so if we are to obey the state in all ways, except those that would have us do contrary to scripture, then we must follow them out fully. I assume there is an excepting law since the second most important commandment affects everything.

• If a state orders you to war, you must decline. Christians are commanded to love our enemies and to bless those that seek to harm us. (Mat 5:44, Luk 6:27) What the state and unbelievers do is entirely different.
• You must not accept welfare, even if it is lawful and except in cases where it is given freely. Money given to you by the state, which is money taken from another against their will, is stealing.
• If the state passes a law to take your church land through eminent domain, you must give it. How will you fight it if you cannot disobey and engage in a physical beatdown.

There are more of which I can't think of at the moment, but I'm sure that we will encounter them soon enough.

Many preachers and pastors like to use this as a call for obedience to them, but Paul seems to be clearly talking about government.

Rom13

2 "resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God"

If he was talking about a God ordinance he wouldn't specifically say otherwise.

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:

When preachers start jailing people giver me a call.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due];

Taxes baby! There ain't no taxes in the church.

Well, that's my two cents. I'm talking with some Bible scholars about and I'll post wherever that goes.

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