Ben Waaraniemi | The Voice of Zion February 2025 - Doctrine and Life Article --
This writing is based on a presentation kept at an October 1 meeting of Minnesota congregation boards and ministers. The first part of this writing was published in the November 2024 issue of The Voice of Zion.
Having first examined what the Bible is and what our relationship to it ought to be, it is worthwhile to examine two opposing perspectives and interpretations that are current in our time. These could broadly be described as Christian Liberalism and Christian Fundamentalism.
The Christian Liberal perspective insists that the Bible must fit within modern understanding of science and is somehow subordinate to it. This leads to the understanding that Jesus was simply a great teacher, miracles are not scientifically possible and should be interpreted symbolically, and that each individual has the authority and ability to shape their own morality.
Christian Fundamentalism on the other hand insists on a literal interpretation of the Bible. Conclusions are drawn beyond the text of the Bible and a rational model is built to support those conclusions. This leads to a legalistic view of the Bible and faith. Adherents often advocate isolation from society and a strong desire to personally advance God’s will in society by any means. It is important to note that many in the world would describe our faith as “fundamentalist,” simply because of our belief that the Bible is God’s Word. We do not need to concern ourselves with this, instead trusting that “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16,17).
On the foundation that the Bible is our highest authority it is timely to examine our relationship to earthly authority, especially considering the errors of Christian Liberalism and Christian Fundamentalism. We have an example from our Lord Jesus Christ: “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way” (Matt. 22:15–22).
What can we learn from this event in Jesus’ life? There is a very specific instruction about paying taxes, but there is a broader teaching about our relationship to authority. Jesus teaches that there are things that are Caesar’s and things that are God’s, and we owe obedience to each. The Christian Fundamentalist error is that we are to battle on God’s behalf against the earthly authorities. The error of Christian Liberalism is that faith and religion are simply social movements and have no place in our political or civic life. As God’s children we walk a narrow path guided by God’s Word between these two errors.
The Apostles Peter and Paul also taught of the obedience and respect we owe to earthly authority (Rom. 13; 1 Peter 2:13). These teachings stem from the ultimate authority and sovereignty of God. When we believe and trust that God alone has power to install and remove governments and rulers, we are able to accept and obey the authorities as ordained by God. It is also important that we would not “render unto Caesar” the things that are God’s. “Divine Augustus” was likely inscribed on the coin that Jesus was handed, and Jesus rejected this claim to divinity of the ruler of that day. In our modern world that is so mistrustful of anything religious, it would be laughable for any ruler to outright claim divinity. The enemy of souls is much more subtle in our time.
An experience in my own life illustrates this. During my youth I attended both a professional hockey game and a political campaign rally that were held at the same arena a short time apart. I noticed then and have afterward often remembered the similarity between the two events. Believers have rightly been warned against the atmosphere of professional sporting events and the adulation of athletes. It is good to consider this same warning with respect to our politicians and leaders. I especially think of two recent presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump and the responses to both among the American people. With Obama, his candidacy and election seemed to be met with religious fervor and adulation from some of his supporters. Similarly Trump seems to elicit a religious response among some of his supporters. Roadside shrines spring up selling merchandise devoted to him. It is important that we as believers do not give to our leaders what is due only to God.
The Apostle Paul was once in the city of Athens and was moved to preach to them the living God “when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry” (Acts 17). God has created us to be in fellowship with Him. When the peace that comes from fellowship with God is lacking, people seek to fill this void with all manner of idols. It is a timely message in our time. We also live in a society “given to idolatry.” The devotion given to the celebrities of the entertainment industry, athletes, and politicians is culturally unhealthy and corrosive to faith.
As citizens in a democracy, we have freedom to voice our opinions, support those candidates and parties that we feel would be best suited to govern, and even to criticize our leaders. This should all be done with Christian moderation and trusting that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Dan. 4:25). Believers can and do have differing opinions on political and civic life. If we turn these into battles between good and evil, we will see other believers on the opposite side.
We are called to a radical faith, and the way is not always easy. Think of the instructions of Jesus: “That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also;” “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s;” “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” These are not easy words to follow, and our flesh wishes to rise up and join the fray. In these battles, we have as our only weapon and defense the Word of God, and it is still secure to trust in His care; “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Discussion questions:
How does our faith influence our political views and actions?
Read Romans 13:1–5. Considering that our form of government is different than in Paul’s time, how does this instruction apply to us today?
Read Philippians 3:20–21 in both the King James Version and New International Version. What is the most important “citizenship” of a believer? What rights and obligations come with that citizenship?
Sources:
Holy Bible, King James Version. (n.d.).
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2001). Crossway.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.
Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000.
Palola, Ari-Pekka, ed. Christ is the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever. LLC, 2022.