Are Christains to support sinful governments?

[Rollo Tamasi]

Jesus on sinful leadership. Obey as a rule but don't follow what they do. Obviously there is a limit as you can't kill babies etc as Pharaoh commanded. But in general obey the law. Jesus was not leading a rebellion. He came to seek and save the lost.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.3So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.4They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.


Randy

Good post Randy.

 

[Tony Hyman]

I thought I would share this comment by Dr Thomas Constable from his Notes on Romans specifically 13:1, " 'Subjection' or submission involves placing oneself under the authority of another, and doing or not doing what the authority requires .
Paul did not say 'obey' .Submission includes obedience, but it also includes an attitude of compliance and deference that is not necessarily present in obedience .Submission is essentially support."(Constable.soniclight.org" )

However regarding obeying good or evil rulers the learned theologian is of the opinion that " The Christian might have to disobey his government (Acts 5:29).Still. in those cases, he or she must still be submissive and bear the consequences of his or her disobedience (cf 4:17,25, 32)Every ruler exercises his or her authority because God has allowed him or her to occupy his or her position, even Satan (Luke 4:6).
The Christian should acknowledge that the government under which he or she lives has received authority 'from God' to govern, regardless of whether it governs well or poorly."(Ibid) Robert Haldane "An Exposition of Romans on 575" seems to hold the same view in general.

 

[Tony Hyman]

Sorry the reference (cf 4:17, 25,32) above should read (cf Dan 4:17, 25,32)