It’s rare in our current cultural climate that a debate over biblical interpretation becomes a topic of discussion in major media outlets. It was therefore something of a surprise when Attorney General Jeff Sessions sought to silence evangelical criticism of President Trump’s immigration policy by citing Romans chapter 13, sparking a national conversation about this passage:
“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes.”
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The primary criticism in the media of this citation from Sessions was, interestingly, not that he had misread the passage, but that its significance in American history is found in its defense of slavery. Does a faithful reading of Romans 13 require that we assent to power at all times, even when it appears to be acting immorally, as it did in its defense of American slavery? Is it always the case that, as White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders “it is very biblical to enforce the law” and that “it’s a moral policy to follow and enforce the law?” The answer to that question may be found in close readings of the passages which Paul alludes to in this section to support his argument…
Audio:
http://cantus-firmus.com/Audio/20181011-Romans13.mp3
Music:
“The Itis” by Polyrhythmics. Licensed under CC BY 3.0
http://www.needledrop.co/wp/artists/polyrhythmics/
Work referenced:
T.L. Carter, The Irony of Romans 13, Novum Testamentum XLVI