23/01/2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
As we get into 2021, we are confronting the worst domestic crises since 9-11, and I feel compelled to make some kind of response. The number of coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations, and infections continues to increase daily. Fortunately, this crisis should be alleviated by an increased roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccinations under the Biden administration.
Unfortunately, political unrest in our nation has reared its ugly head, with the violent assault by some of our own citizens against the nation’s Capitol on Wednesday, November 8, and the threat massive deployment of law enforcement and the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and at some state capitols on Wednesday, November 20, to prevent additional violence during the inauguration of Joe Biden.
Several Old Testament passages, especially in Proverbs, place special emphasis on the responsibilities of rulers to their subjects. Proverbs 8:15-16 declares that princes rule by God’s will and must issue decrees that are just. Good kings “detest wrongdoing. . . .They take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right” (16:10-15 NIV).
Likewise, “By justice a king gives a country stability” (29:4), whereas, “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign” (28:15-16). One more example in Proverbs declares, A ruler who oppresses the poor is like driving rain that leaves no crops. . . If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever” (28:3, 29:14).
Conversely, the importance of citizens’ responsibilities to their rulers finds its greatest expression in Romans 13, which makes clear that we should respect constituted authority, whether we agree with it or not. This important passage states, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Consequently, anyone who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (vss. 1-2).
We need to keep in mind that this passage was written when pagan Roman officials were in control, who crucified Jesus and ultimately executed Paul and Peter, the latter of whom wrote, “Fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17). We also need to remember that our leaders are imperfect beings who have “feet of clay,” as Timothy Keller expressed it in his excellent book on Proverbs. Therefore we should not be too surprised or disillusioned when our leaders make serious mistakes, nor should we be indifferent to the situation.
Instead, our collective responsibility as committed Christians is to be adequately informed on issues that affect our society so that we can distinguish fact from fiction, truth from lies. Admittedly, this requires some serious effort on our part by judiciously evaluating what we read and view in the print and electronic media .
Finally, whatever our political perspective, we must obey the laws (which include the right to peaceful protest but not violent assault), whether we agree with them or not. We also need to respect our duly elected officials, whether we like them or not.
And–above all–we need to pray that Americans will unite to become a “kinder, gentler nation” (to quote George Bush 1) in the upcoming year(s).
Paul McQuien
