Ronans 13:1-2
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Acts 5:29
We must obey God rather than men.
Romans 13 teaches that God has given government as an expression of his common grace. Temporal governments keep us from reverting to the law of the jungle. Even oppressive governments can keep order and to some degree of civil society that people can function in.
When Paul wrote the first half of Romans 13 one of the most wicked men in a Roman Empire was Emperor at that time. His name was Nero. Yet Paul recognized that the Roman government had maintain order through the Pax Romana. And that the early Christians were living in a civil society with laws that kept the Roman society intact. Thus Paul writes, that the Romanvm believers and later those who would read his letter, where to submit to the government and pay their taxes.
When the laws were on the books to govern a just society the early believers obeyed with no issue. It was only when the Roman government required a sacrifice to Caesar as god to show a citizen's loyalty to Rome. The Christians had issues. They disobeyed the Roman government by refusing to offer the sacrifice in obedience to a higher law. Obeying the higher law of Christ cost many their lives.
Today laws have been put on our books in America to govern a just society. For the most part the believer in Christ has no issues obeying these laws. Even the law to pay our taxes. Though some believers certainly balk at this. :-) They go on and render to Caesar as a matter of obligation that God requires of them. For this is what Jesus taught.
There are laws on the books that prevent the aiding and kidnapping of children. Christians obey these. There are laws on the books that say that we are not to discriminate. Christians obey these. There are laws on the books that say that we should not use inflammatory language to denigrate another group. Christians obey these.
But what happens when the doctrine of political correctness takes laws that are neant to be just and perverts them. Then the question has to ask the question where do I draw the line in obeying God rather than man.
I an having a spirited discussion via email with someone regarding the Ken Miller case. The person I'm in dialogue with believes Ken Miller violated federal law. There is no denying this. A just law that was put up on the books to prevent the kidnapping of children was violated by Ken Miller. This was a law that initially was designed to protect children.
But the doctrine of political correctness has taken this law which was initially designed to protect children and perverted its endorcenent. Given the facts of the Ken Miller case which can be gleaned from miller case.org. Ken Miller violated federal law to help a young mother and her daughter escape an abusive situation. And have Lisa Miller raise our daughter in a Christian environment. The case can be read about on the other thread that our sister Leslie started. Those who adhere to political correctness are taking a just law and persecuted and prosecuting a pastor who took a stand for righteousness. But in the eyes of the Court he violated federal law. Never mind that there is no justice here, particularly for young Isabel.
Consider the case of the Oregon family who owned the Christian Bakery. Or the New Mexico photographer who was a believer. In both of these cases a gay couple wanted services for their wedding. Both the Christian bakery and photography businesses declined. Offered to direct the gay couples two other businesses that would meet their request. In both cases the gay couples sued the bakery and the photography company. And they won. Claiming discrimination.
Yes it could be argued both the Oregon bakery and the New Mexico photography company violated federal laws of discrimination. But again. Laws that were meant to be just and prohibit discrimination have been perverted by the doctrine of political correctness. Again there is no justice here.
There are laws that prevent inflammatory speech. Perhaps laws we would call hate crimes. Such laws are good and just. But when these laws are subverted to political correctness they become unjust.
An example would be an evangelical pastor preaching out of Romans 1:18-32. These past that just clearly teach the origins of homosexuality. These passages are biblical truth. However if someone from the gay suasion is sitting in the congregation. He can bring a charge and have the pastor up on a hate crime violation. I have not heard of such happening here yet in America. But it has happened in other parts of the world. I believe Canada is prosecuting pastors who say homosexuality is a sin. Again political correctness subverting just laws that were meant to protect against inflammatory language.
Street Preacher can say that homosexuality is a sin can be liable for hate crimes.
We are living in times where we will soon have to ask ourselves the questions when do we obey God rather than man. I believe this is the message of the Ken Miller case.
My brothers and sisters these are simply my thoughts.
This is respectfully posted.
Brother Blaine Scogin