Supreme Court rules in favor of public legislative prayers

[Imran Siddiqui]

2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Those evil American Revolutionaries...

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

And Martin Luther King, Jr... though he did mention something about Civil Law being subordinate to God's Law, no?

[The Mad Monk]

Yes, that is the problem, isn't it? All those revolutionaries we look up to, all those aristocratic families that took their turn in ripping the crown from the previous ruler's gory head, and what are you going to do about all those protestant princes who rebelled against the Pope?

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

I would express an opinion if this wasn't a Ben thread.

[Berzerker]

Those evil American Revolutionaries...

and those early Christian martyrs who refused to pay the required respect to Rome's gods

yeah, I cant buy into the notion render unto Caesar was Jesus/God's endorsement of government

sounds more like Jesus was trying to keep his followers safe from a govt crackdown on tax rebels

[The Mad Monk]

so the govt that killed Jesus had God's blessing

why does Jesus ask God to forgive his executioners for they knew not what they were doing?

There is a difference between having authority and doing what is right with that authority. Need I produce examples? The first that comes to mind is King Saul, followed almost immediately by King David.

[DinoDoc]

@ Ken: Jesus both permitted and commanded his followers to be armed: He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. - Luke 22:36 NIV

[Sava]

[MrFun]

Jesus wasn't a pacifist.

So that reference to "turn the other cheek" thing ...??

[DinoDoc]

So that reference to "turn the other cheek" thing ...??

Why did Jesus not rebuke the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) for being a soldier and instead compliment and commend him for or the faith that came from his understanding of authority in the military?

[Kidlicious]

God has given men authority to to lord it over other men, and Jesus was certainly speaking in this context.

Graven images refers to objects of worship, unless you are against all art -- including that stained glass cross of yours.

Also, 2nd Commandment, I'm Reformed, not Lutheran.

God does not give men authority over each other. That's man's choice. That's the gist of Common Sense.

[The Mad Monk]

Thomas Paine is not my favorite author. He was a mean spirited firebrand.

[Kidlicious]

Thomas Paine is not my favorite author. He was a mean spirited firebrand.

The Bible is his source though. The Lord said He should be King but the Isrealites said no, that they want a King. Also, original sin may be considered a cause of govt.

[Berzerker]

There is a difference between having authority and doing what is right with that authority. Need I produce examples? The first that comes to mind is King Saul, followed almost immediately by King David.

so what are Christians to do when the state does wrong with it's authority?

do the goosestep or disobey the state?

btw, when Saul disobeyed God it was the prophet who stepped in to correct the king's mistake

prophets > Caesar?

[MrFun]

Why did Jesus not rebuke the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) for being a soldier and instead compliment and commend him for or the faith that came from his understanding of authority in the military?

Okay, theologian. Tell me what the "turn the other cheek" was all about. You're an expert at this stuff.

[Imran Siddiqui]

and those early Christian martyrs who refused to pay the required respect to Rome's gods

Yep. Christian martyrs were acting against the authority of Rome. Because God's Law is greater than civil law.