Dave Dorsey quoted:I think most people see a difference between commentating on public figures and commentating on private figures. I think you see this even concerning ministers -- members of this forum will share opinions about Mark Driscoll or Rob Bell or Joel Osteen or whomever else that they wouldn't share about the guy who pastors a small COG who is only public to his congregation and immediate ministry family.Is that right? Should that be the distinction? I think that's a fair question.When I read your post, I thought of Acts 23. Paul is sharing his testimony and he gets punched in the face at the instruction of Ananias. Paul understandably lashes out in response, and when he is informed that Ananias is the high priest, he repents and cites Exodus 22:28as a command against the behavior he just displayed.Now, what is Ananias? Is he the high priest? Well, he's a civil leader who sits in an office that Christ put away. So he may be the high priest in a manner of speaking, but he's absolutely not the high priest in any meaningful sense, as that is an office that now and forevermore belongs to Christ. So you have an civil leader, and an ungodly one at that -- one who Paul correctly notes has ordered him to be punched contrary to the Law by which Paul is ostensibly being judged. And yet, when informed that this wicked ruler claims to sit in an office that has been done away with, Paul repents, and quotes Exodus 22:28as the reason why.I'm not sure it's good exegesis to suggest that Exodus 22:28applies to Donald Trump or Nancy Pelosi, but I think Paul displays an element of Christian character here in his submission and deference to an ungodly civil authority.Romans 13:1says that everyone should be subject to the governing authorities, because there is no authority except from God. That does not mean that all authority is godly, or good for God's people. Some authority comes as judgment on God's people. Frankly, I personally believe President Trump qualifies as that. But he is nevertheless a governing authority, whose governance was sovereignly ordained by God. Romans 13:2says that whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed. Does this mean I can't be opposed to the tax plan? Does this mean I can't be opposed to the wall? Does this mean I was wrong to be opposed to President Obama's policies. I don't think so. But I think it does mean that opposition to the authority itself is not permissible; that is, it is against Scripture to say that President Trump is not the president and does not as a result deserve the deference and respect that goes along with that position of authority. I find that very challenging with President Trump. Exceedingly moreso than I ever found it with President Obama. But the Scripture says what it says.What does that mean for us? What does that mean for our policy here on the board? I think you raise good questions. In general, I don't think we want to get into the habit of prescribing conduct except as a very general appeal for kindness and respect. I think I regularly fall short of Scripture's standard concerning my respect for the rulers of our people. I'm sure others do too. Maybe your post will raise some good questions and we can all together look to Christ for grace in how we speak of the civil authorities, godly or otherwise, under which we find ourselves on earth. Thanks Dave for the above post. I think all elected officials deserve our prayers regardless of party. I think all pastors of large or small churches deserve our respect. Does that mean we have to agree with all they present. No, it does not. No one here, in my opinion, in the area of clergy or politics needs to be demonized even though we may not agree with them.
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