Legitimate Authority

This post is really a continuation on the earlier post entitled Submission to Authorities submitted on April 11th. It is a re visitation of Romans 13:1-7 and is slightly edited from the original in order for it to fit here on the blog:

I have mentioned in an earlier paper on the subject of Romans 13 the need to clarify the word legitimacy that John Calvin uses in referencing this section of scripture in his Commentaries. More specifically, if I can put it in proper context, our submission to legitimate authority. What does Calvin mean when he inserts this word into the text or rather interprets the text by the use of this word? As I mentioned then, Calvin uses the word to delineate proper authority as Paul expounds it verses the abuse of power because of man's fallen-ness. The Libertarians picked up the word, seemingly on cue from Calvin and made something more out of it than was intended. But by interjecting the word by no means gives license not to obey. Calvin merely is showing by what manner Paul is speaking. We should also take his example, regarding governmental authorities, whether we agree with the details of how they govern or not; simply for the sake of unity and witness. Since Paul is talking about true authority, Calvin, by interjecting the word legitimacy, is showing that there is another side because of our fallen-ness. He is not adding to Paul's words but is only clarifying what Paul truly means. Whether the power is legitimate or not, is besides the point. He is describing proper governing as believers; for believers may find themselves in political opportunity and so Paul is reminding them that they are responsible to represent Christ faithfully in all aspects of human relations. The reminder here again, as I have said many times before, Paul is speaking to the believer not the unbeliever. We are judged by a higher standard and so God's law applies to us, as believers, in the formation of human laws that will affect many others. If we find ourselves in this type of opportunity is our agreement or signature on a certain proposal faithful to our witness for Christ? Every vote should be according to this standard or else it is illegitimate (although it may become law thanks to our failure to remain vigilant). Every action has a reaction and some reactions cause us to suffer the consequences of our failure to be vigilant. This is the same as our decision to choose to go against our better judgment. All that this means is that we have decided to make an uneducated chance that something will turn out all right even though we have not given nearly enough time to research our decision properly. The current administration makes policy based on this kind of "fly by the seat of our pants" rational. So we grow tired and take a stab at hoping against hope everything turns out alright. It doesn't and we must suffer through the ramifications of our bad decision. But the Lord still loves us and accepts us even if the consequences still barrel towards their predictable sinister conclusion. We are salt - that is the important part. We must not loose the saltiness for anything! Eventually godless men will wrest power from Christians who made the world a better place to live in simply because of their self-sacrificing natures inherited from Christ. Will the worldly agenda manage things better than how things are supposed to be managed according to Paul? No, not a chance! Things are already winding down to their logical conclusion of a race of men resistant to the things of the Spirit. They will not listen. Theirs, simply because they refuse to look to God as the maker and creator and sustainer of all things, is a rule of total and complete illegitimacy. So do we rebel against the whole edifice? Or do we look to God ultimately for justice in the life hereafter where he promises to right the wrongs?

So the word legitimate really only applies to Christians in leadership positions. Eventually the Judeo-Christian framework into which worldly leaders have been operating grudgingly, will, one day, be gleefully overturned and ultimately disappear. The framework so far maintains some form of freedom from illegitimate authority, but the way has already been paved by which its demise is sure. The rule henceforth will no longer contain evidence of a law once faithful to God's law - the only legitimate law; but will produce fruit and seeds that will lead to death and destruction. For Satan's only language he knows is a language that speaks of destruction of all that is good and holy and worthy and legitimate - because these are the things that hold up God's glory on earth.

-Joe