Following up on yesterday's post on Jesus and Anarchy, the problem of St. Paul in Romans 13 advising submission to the Government, we also have to take into account St. Paul in 1 Corinthinas 6, in which Paul excoriates people who turn to the Government to advance lawsuits.
Now, how come after requiring submission to Government authority, Paul turns around and says stay out of the courts?
Something I have a hard time understanding is when bible commentaries cover anything relating to the Bible and the state, the commenter either ignores what the bible says, or says it does not say what it says. Typical commentary on the above passage says "O Paul is only talking about not taking church disputes to the Government courts." Well, no, that is not what it says. It says stay out of the Government courts.
Now if on the one hand, Romans 13 Paul says submit to Government authority, but here in Corinthians he say stay away, then what to make of that? I see no inconsistency.
As pointed out yesterday, the State, what we call Government, is condign punishment for rejecting God. The state killed Jesus and Paul. And Peter and countless other Christians. As God said in 1 Samuel 8, you'll get the Government you deserve.
Now any village preacher will advise when in trouble to stop sinning. What is a lawsuit except going to the Government and saying "fight my battles for me?" To initiate a lawsuit is to personally renew the events of 1 Samuel 8. Especially business people should never make things worse for themselves by initiating a lawsuit. If there is a business dispute, settle it at the business level.
The theme from part one is God expects more out of business people since business people are customer-employed, anarchists, and know better, therefore are to be treated more harshly when they do ill, like the merchants at the Temple.
But what if you are summoned to appear? Then appear, pro se. And defend yourself. Do not get others to defend you. Trust God. And be afraid, very afraid, if you prefer Government to God.
Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.
Now, how come after requiring submission to Government authority, Paul turns around and says stay out of the courts?
6 When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? 4 If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer[a]and another, 6 but a believer[b] goes to court against a believer[c]—and before unbelievers at that?
7 In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers[d] at that.Something I have a hard time understanding is when bible commentaries cover anything relating to the Bible and the state, the commenter either ignores what the bible says, or says it does not say what it says. Typical commentary on the above passage says "O Paul is only talking about not taking church disputes to the Government courts." Well, no, that is not what it says. It says stay out of the Government courts.
Now if on the one hand, Romans 13 Paul says submit to Government authority, but here in Corinthians he say stay away, then what to make of that? I see no inconsistency.
As pointed out yesterday, the State, what we call Government, is condign punishment for rejecting God. The state killed Jesus and Paul. And Peter and countless other Christians. As God said in 1 Samuel 8, you'll get the Government you deserve.
Now any village preacher will advise when in trouble to stop sinning. What is a lawsuit except going to the Government and saying "fight my battles for me?" To initiate a lawsuit is to personally renew the events of 1 Samuel 8. Especially business people should never make things worse for themselves by initiating a lawsuit. If there is a business dispute, settle it at the business level.
The theme from part one is God expects more out of business people since business people are customer-employed, anarchists, and know better, therefore are to be treated more harshly when they do ill, like the merchants at the Temple.
But what if you are summoned to appear? Then appear, pro se. And defend yourself. Do not get others to defend you. Trust God. And be afraid, very afraid, if you prefer Government to God.
Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.
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