The Christian and the Government: Thoughts on Romans 13 (index)

For the last few weeks we’ve been having an in-depth look at Romans 13, delving especially into the topic of the Christian’s relationship to the “authorities”. This post is an index of all the posts, with a brief summary of each topic.

1. Introduction to Romans 13 – The specific terminology that both Peter and Paul use is worth a look…
2. Why should we “be subject”? – Wrestling especially with the Bible’s teaching about the ultimate origin of government.
3. Government in a sinful world – Why do we need government in a sinful world? How does it actually function in the Old and New Testaments?
4. God using the government – More reasons why we should “be subject” – and, did Paul really understand how bad governments can get?
5. Paul, Peter, Jesus, and Taxes – Some parallel passages and a closer look at our proper attitude toward various authorities.
6. Cursing vs. Interceding – As believers, we have an important responsibility when it comes to our authorities.
7. The responsibility of government – What does the Bible teach about the responsibilities and limits of government?
8. Spheres of authority – More about limits and responsibilities: When “men of valour” said NO to the government.
9. Disobeying government – Do these teachings from God’s Word give us any guidance?
10. “Love your neighbour”: Why the world gets it wrong – One way in which Romans 13 is misinterpreted when it comes to love.
11. When governments go astray – When an authority defies its purpose from Romans 13, how should we respond? Thoughts from church history.
12. Final Applications – 7 suggested applications for the Christian from Romans 13 and related texts of Scripture.

I hope this series has been helpful. I have read and heard some great teaching on Romans 13, but I have also heard some pretty shallow treatments. Maybe this is somewhere in between! But we need to think deeper about our response to government, and keep talking about it, under the authority of the Bible. God’s Word offers wonderful encouragement and balance, both to those living in peace under good government, and those being oppressed under bad government. Thank God, our Lord Jesus is still King.