Justification

If you want people to talk about Scripture, then have a political figure quote form The Bible.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them-taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. - Romans 13:1-7

When Jeff Sessions quoted from today's reading, religious leaders slammed him, citing examples from the past where the text was used to justify heinous acts, including slavery and the murder of innocents.

There is no getting around the fact that some people in authority abuse power.  And no one likes to hear a government official declare that his or her authority is sanctioned by God.  That leads to conflict and anger, with no one listening to each other.

I would think, though, that invoking Scripture would open the doors to a great discussion in our religious institutions, but that is not what happened.  Instead, the door was slammed shut.

As a deacon, I am called to bring the Good News to the people, and sharing these reflections is one way I choose to do that, but I think Jesus intended to have us openly talk about the struggles we have with our faith, and we may be missing that opportunity here.

Paul's letter suggests that God appoints all in authority, and when we read it that way, we are quick to find examples where leaders have turned their own way, and even used God as justification for their actions.

Does that mean we should ignore all authority?  Shouldn't we respect our laws and where we find them unjust, do something to correct them?

Unlike the leadership in Paul's day, our for of government is of and by the people.  We have a say, and we have power to change what is wrong.

The framework for change is built into our system, as part of our laws.

So, unless we believe Jesus was just another rabble rouser looking to take down the Roman Empire, perhaps we should try to do as he did and bring people the good news from God, that all are God's children, and all are heirs.

If we start there, rather than resist the law, we should be able to find common ground and get the justice we feel is lacking for all.

And maybe we can understand why following the laws as we seek to change them makes sense.

It may just save lives.

More to come...