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The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down  /  Chapter 12, Life Under Two Kingdoms  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
In his reading of Romans 13 (“Render therefore… taxes… customs… fear… honor”), Bercot emphasizes what Paul includes and what he “quite noticeably” does not include (military service); how persuasive is that argument from omission, and what do you think early Christians would have assumed “relative obedience” to Caesar looked like in practice?
Another way to ask: How convincing is Bercot’s point that Romans 13 lists taxes, respect, and honor but does not mention military service? What do you think early Christians saw as “limited” obedience to Caesar in everyday life?

Direct Answer Bercot’s argument from omission is presented as significant: Paul names several concrete obligations to Caesar but does not include military service, implying the state’s claim is limited and not absolute. The transcript suggests early Christians would have practiced “relative obedience” by paying taxes, showing honor and respect, and obeying laws—yet disobeying when commanded to violate Christ’s commands.

Support from Transcript:

  • He quotes Romans 13’s list: “taxes…customs…fear…honor,” and then immediately, “Owe no one anything except to love one another.”
  • He stresses the list contains “only earthly things” within “the sphere of Caesar.”
  • He states, “Quite noticeably, Paul didn’t list military service” as owed to governing authorities.
  • He frames obedience as real but limited: Christians must obey the land’s laws, but when conflict arises “he will have to choose” because he “can’t serve two masters.”
  • The apostles are his model of relative obedience: recognized authorities commanded silence, yet they replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Discussion Follow-ups What kinds of obedience do you treat as unlimited simply because the government requests it? If early Christians thought in terms of “relative obedience,” what practical boundaries would that create in careers, oaths, or acts of violence?

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