On Romans 13: Submission & Government

Romans thirteen is inevitably the first passage that Christian peacemakers need to contend with. Often it's used as grounds to prove that Christians can set aside the teachings of Jesus in service of their country. But I believe Christians, having been heavily influenced by Augustine and his subsequent theologians, have made catastrophic errors in interpreting Paul's writings by disconnecting them from their context.

Civil Unrest and Peace

Romans 13:4 (CSB) — For [government] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Look at how much chaos is being inflicted on society because …