Our contract with those we place in office covers a specific time, however, that presumes that our employees conduct themselves in accordance with that contract, the constitution. When conduct is such that it places in jeopardy our form of government, i.e. our ruler, then it is recommended and indeed we are reminded often by our founding fathers that “from time to time those in government need to be reminded that ours is a government for and by the people, with arms if necessary”. Otherwise we are simply unfaithful stewards and derelict of duty.

I posted your article on Facebook and asked two of my most trusted friends to comment and debate. I knew they would have slightly different points of view. I was not disappointed.

What we came up with was really fairly simple. I believe God wants us to be active in civic affairs. To be apathetic I believe is wrong.

We should actively pursue change with God in mind. We should obey the government while we are trying to change it.

We should NOT call for an overthrow of that government.

I don’t think the Bible, God, wants us to sit by and do nothing.

Again, great article. I enjoyed reading it, and have enjoyed the debate on another platform regarding your conclusions. THANK YOU.

Scott…

PS: If you want to read the debate, feel free to send a friend request to me on Facebook – http://facebook.com/sdwhite

I do agree with Scott’s caveats – after all, if a pastor cannot exhort his flock to godly and righteous behavior in every area of their life, then there’s not much use to him I will agree, tentatively, that he cannot coerce a wayward church member who mistreats his employees, though.

Anyway, I’m browsing through some of your other posts, and am pretty sure I’m going to add you to my RSS feeds so I can enjoy more of your writing…

Best blessings!

– Kat

I would say that your job situation is different than most. Part of your effectiveness is based on the confidence people have in you and your fellow officers. Who you are has a lot to do with that and what you do off duty impacts that. You must not only be right, but you must appear to be right for the public to accept your authority. In this case, there is legitimate concern by your employer. When I worked various companies, generally it was none of their business.

As for as the pastor dealing with employers, the employers are just a subset of his flock. If he sees them involved in some questionable activity, the pastor or any fellow church member has the duty to bring it to their attention and, hopefully, work through the situation.

I have a couple of points, neither of which break from your original premise.

Actually its one point in two pieces.

You wrote, “An employer has authority on the job, but does this give him power to control the private lives of his employees? No.”

I would argue that yes they do. I am a police officer. If I do something off duty that is criminal or brings discredit upon my agency or the city, I can be disciplined, even terminated. A DUI for example. Do I think this is right? YES. An the argument in this is that as a police officer, I am part of that very Romans 13 government.

You also said, “A pastor has overseer authority in the church, but does this give him power to tell employers in his church how to run their businesses? Of course not.”

Again I take a point of exception here. We are our brother’s keeper. If I see my brother sinning, it is incumbent upon me to bring it to his attention and pray for him. Does this apply to Pastor’s and their members as employers? I believe it does. The authority rests with the church. Approach one on one, if it continues, bring several, if it continues, bring it before the entire church.

While I agree that Romans 13, Paul, is NOT trying to make us lay down like lambs at a slaughter, but I do believe that as long as it’s not contrary to biblical commandments, we are required to follow the law. But there is a difference in being submissive to the law and laying down and “taking it”. We should always strive for just and appropriate change through our system IF we believe the system is wrong, or heading wrong.

Great article!!! I appreciate it.