In the battle between our Judeo-Christian culture and secular humanism the lines of battle are clearly drawn and the issues of freedom are crystal clear. But it does not seem many Christians are aware of the ramifications of this ongoing struggle. Just what are the Biblical parameters that should govern and guide godly Christian behavior in our contemporary culture? Just how do we apply general Biblical principles and particular precedents to the specifics of our daily dilemmas? Just where do we draw that fine line of distinction between obeying God and/or Caesar? Has the distinction between legitimate laws, legislative tyranny and bureaucratic authoritarianism been so blurred and obscured that good and brave men hesitate, vacillate, and sincerely mistake compromising collusion for commendable cooperation and craven cringing for cautious courage?
What does the example of such great men as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego say to us in our circumstance today? Is their unwavering obedience to a prior claim of the law of God and their subsequent refusal to obey the law of their land to be equated at all to the prior claim of the law of God today that we rear and educate our children in the way of God and protect them in the battle for their minds from the evils of secular humanists? Does our commission and imperative to promulgate God's Word, especially in our families and Churches, encompass the concept that our children belong to us rather than the state? To God rather than to Caesar? There are those in places of power today who seem to sincerely believe that Caesar has the prior claim!
Can we justify refusal to obey unjust and tyrannical laws and unjust bureaucratic degrees, standing on the same ground Peter and John occupied when they defied authority and cried, "It`is better to obey God than man," when they were denied the right and freedom to proclaim and teach the. Word of God? Or does the mere fact that a law has been duly passed by a Parliament or promulgated by a bureaucrat make it sacred and sacrosanct and deny Christians the right of legal and orderly challenge lest they be accused of refusal to submit to ordained authority? In the dichotomy of God versus Caesar today, how do we render unto both their lawful and scriptural due?
Although specific answers would be as difficult and varied as the circumstances demanding a response, it is obvious that the concerned and committed Christian citizen must re-examine his orientation and motives and do his utmost to ensure he responds as his fathers in the faith have responded throughout the ages. Christian citizens must not be intimidated by governmental authority or authorities.
Surely even in our politically correct, post-modern culture today there are certain things over which the state is not absolutely sovereign. There must be certain circumstances that not only justify, but demand, a Christian citizen's resistance of tyrannical laws and regulations. There must be a time when we must rise up and cry out, "Enough!" This much we know, Caesar is not sovereign over God, His Church, His Gospel, or the spiritual life and ministry of His people. Caesar is not sovereign over the Christian's family or Christian parents as they seek to rear their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
What does the example of such great men as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego say to us in our circumstance today? Is their unwavering obedience to a prior claim of the law of God and their subsequent refusal to obey the law of their land to be equated at all to the prior claim of the law of God today that we rear and educate our children in the way of God and protect them in the battle for their minds from the evils of secular humanists? Does our commission and imperative to promulgate God's Word, especially in our families and Churches, encompass the concept that our children belong to us rather than the state? To God rather than to Caesar? There are those in places of power today who seem to sincerely believe that Caesar has the prior claim!
Can we justify refusal to obey unjust and tyrannical laws and unjust bureaucratic degrees, standing on the same ground Peter and John occupied when they defied authority and cried, "It`is better to obey God than man," when they were denied the right and freedom to proclaim and teach the. Word of God? Or does the mere fact that a law has been duly passed by a Parliament or promulgated by a bureaucrat make it sacred and sacrosanct and deny Christians the right of legal and orderly challenge lest they be accused of refusal to submit to ordained authority? In the dichotomy of God versus Caesar today, how do we render unto both their lawful and scriptural due?
Although specific answers would be as difficult and varied as the circumstances demanding a response, it is obvious that the concerned and committed Christian citizen must re-examine his orientation and motives and do his utmost to ensure he responds as his fathers in the faith have responded throughout the ages. Christian citizens must not be intimidated by governmental authority or authorities.
Surely even in our politically correct, post-modern culture today there are certain things over which the state is not absolutely sovereign. There must be certain circumstances that not only justify, but demand, a Christian citizen's resistance of tyrannical laws and regulations. There must be a time when we must rise up and cry out, "Enough!" This much we know, Caesar is not sovereign over God, His Church, His Gospel, or the spiritual life and ministry of His people. Caesar is not sovereign over the Christian's family or Christian parents as they seek to rear their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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