Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/707

CHAPTER LXXXVII

INTERPRETATION OF ROMANS 13: 5–7 (CONTINUED)

(:What does Paul mean by obedience to authority? Having once fallen away from the pure faith through the Donation of Constantine,Obedience
Obedienceto
Authority the Christians now consider their state of fallenness as normal and as expressing the apostolic faith. The priests have adopted state authority and with it a pagan mode of living.:) Therefore, the words of Saint Paul, addressed as they were to the congregation of believers living in Rome under a pagan power, urges them to be obedient to the existing authority. (: But this authority obedience must not beyond the limits of passivity; a Christian must take no active part in the government.:) Christ said,

The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you.¹

Obey your lords, pay your taxes . . . but arrange your conduct among yourselves according to the law of Christ.

 

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1 Luke 22: 25–26.

 

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