The doctrine of the "Divine Right of Kings" didn't appear until monarchs needed it to counter the rising demands of the middle classes in England, France, and other European nations. And it disappeared almost as quickly under revolutions in England, the United States, and France. Saint Paul never heard of the "right," and never thought of it.
He accepted this passing world as it is. Kings and emperors were just as real as mountains and rivers and slavery. Fifteenth centuries would pass through innumerable upheavals before the Enlightenment would challenge aristocracy with the idea of self-government through democratic processes. It's an experiment that has yet to succeed but must not fail.
Although the Church of Saint Paul's day was so small it was hardly noticed in the halls of power, the Apostle knew we must pray for kings and all in authority. We are, in a manner of speaking, responsible for them before God. And if we want peace, we should pray that they will manage the changes, developments, and continual motion of human life reasonably and for the benefit of all.
It is human nature to take care of oneself first. Biology doesn't wait long. I get up, shave, and get dressed first. And then we take care of family and friends, and finally our duties. Politicians can be expected to promote and protect themselves first; their family, friends, and supporters second; and finally, their duties for the welfare of all.
That being so, the odds are stacked against just government. History often attests to the promise of good government and its disappointment. But we absorb a certain amount of nepotism and corruption for the sake of stability and predictability, which we call peace.
As Rabbi Heschel pointed out in his classic work, The Prophets, the Hebrew Prophets from Isaiah to Malachi denounced that corruption. It was unendurable in God's sight and must incur God's wrath against his own holy city and his chosen people. If they are holy as God is holy, the LORD will protect them against enemies without and the enemy within.
Saint Paul's mission was not to denounce government corruption but to preach the Gospel to the whole world. Intent on that, he would not bother to condemn hypocrisy or malfeasance among public officials. Pray for them, he urged, while we announce and live by the Gospel.
He must have learned that laissez faire attitude from his Jewish tradition in diaspora. Jeremiah, writing to the exiles in Babylon, had urged them to, "Seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you; pray for it to the LORD, for upon its welfare your own depends." Babylon was never a holy city, nor was Rome, Alexandria, or Tarsus. But they were the homes of Jews and Jews should be a blessed, prayerful presence among them.
Many Christians regard the United States as another holy city. It should be a city on the hill, shining the bright light of democracy to an unhappy world of autocrats and tyrants. They have seen our democratic form of government admired and emulated by many nations. That is all the more reason why Christians must be a blessed, prayerful presence in our own country.
We must pay attention to what is happening, gratefully pay our taxes, participate in local government, celebrate our loyalty, and demand of all levels of government policies of both justice and mercy. Our government should recognize and protect the dignity of every human being just as we do in our churches and assemblies. In fact, by our respect for every member from least to greatest, we model how it's done.
When certain policies seem more generous than the Church's, we should feel embarrassment and reconsider our practices. Some churches remain reluctant to accommodate wheelchairs long after city governments have shown the way.
Our governments don't have to be perfect for us to "lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity." But we dare not suppose that they intend to be just or merciful. That is the intent of neither the government nor the millions they govern. The Gospel will always be a minority opinion, and a quiet voice of conscience to the world. As Christians, we challenge and contribute to a world destined to be worthy of our presence.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.