Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
The speaker reads Romans 12:17–21 and Romans 13:1–7 to argue that Christians are told “avenge not yourselves” while God uses “he/they” (government) as a “revenger” bearing the sword, and then connects this with Jesus’ “it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25–28); if government is “ordained of God” yet “outside the perfection of Christ,” what concrete boundaries should that place on a Christian’s participation—especially when modern evangelical culture treats voting as a basic mark of obedience or love of neighbor?
Another way to ask: If government is “ordained of God” but not as perfect as Christ’s way, what limits should that put on how Christians take part in it? How should that shape voting, especially when many evangelicals treat voting as a key sign of obedience or loving your neighbor?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
According to the transcript, Christians should submit to government and pay what is due, but they should not participate in wielding its coercive power (the sword) or directing it through politics, because Jesus’ community must not operate like Gentile rulers.
- Romans 12 is addressed to the church: “Recompense to no man evil for evil… avenge not yourselves… overcome evil with good.”
- Romans 13 describes government with “he/they”: the ruler “bears not the sword in vain… a revenger to execute wrath,” implying God assigns that task outside the church’s calling.
- The speaker calls government “a common grace… to keep evil at check,” even saying “Government is good… every government is better than anarchy.”
- Yet he stresses it is “ordained of God outside the perfection of Christ,” echoing the Slighthound Confession.
- He ties it to Jesus’ command about authority: Gentile rulers “lord over” and “dominate,” but “it shall not be so among you,” with greatness expressed by serving.