Religious Politics

Politics in the Bible

Christianity Oasis provides this Religious Politics study looking at Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible bringing forth truth, understanding and peace.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Chapter 13


Religious Politics

Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our thought provoking Religious Politics Bible journey taking a look into Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible. The absolutely awesome Religious Politics in the Bible message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.

Religious Politics Lesson
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Journey

Hello again! Glad you're back at Daily Bread for our continuing study of Paul's letter to the Romans. There are many people who will tell you that there are two things that they don't like to discuss with other people, and those two things are politics and religion. Well, Paul isn't afraid to talk about either one of them.

Don't forget that this letter was addressed to all that be in Rome, all the beloved of God, and all who are called to be saints, and that most every country that compassed the Mediterranean Sea was under rule of the Roman Empire at the time.

You've got to assume that many countries, when under the rule of another country are opposed to the idea (of losing their sovereignty), unless there is famine or poverty or other hardship that the ruling country is helping to overcome. There was probably a lot of animosity toward the Romans in that area of the world and Paul addresses this issue.

Religious Politics Discussion
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Concern

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be [exist] are ordained [appointed] of God.

Think back for a moment to when Jerusalem was carried away into Babylon. What did God say then?

Jeremiah 27:8

And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the Lord, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

Just as in every case, be sure that the authority you are respecting is indeed of God. There will be a time when antichrist will be in authority over the whole world, but you know that his dominance is not an appointment of God. (See the Antichrist Study) Paul is referring to leaders that are appointed by God.

Religious Politics Study
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Warning

Romans 13:2-7

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

This is pretty clear. To be concise, if you buck the system, you may be opposing someone that God appointed. You pretty much can't go wrong by doing right. And who doesn't want a peaceful society? The authorities purpose is to keep the peace and taxes pay for things that are necessary for peace and order and function.

Certainly, there are corruptions of government and law in every society. Evil is everywhere, but in this case, Paul is talking about those who are appointed by God.

Religious Politics Meaning
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Danger

Notice that government and law are two different things. Government is made up of servants of God to keep order among peoples and nations, otherwise the world would be utter chaos.

You may wonder how government can be favorable in God's eyes, since He didn't want a king over Israel in the first place, but though Israel had no king, they did indeed have government. They had elders and judges and prophets and armies, etc.

Law, in biblical terms on the other hand refers to moral behaviors and decisions which were imposed on mankind in the Old Testament, but was replaced by the New Testament of Faith.

So, we can conclude that we are under the authority of the government, but no longer under the old law of the Old Testament, but we are now under the new law of the New Testament.

Religious Politics Debate
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Fear

Romans 13:8-14

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this [because these], Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended [are all included] in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time [long past time] to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness [gangs and unrestraint], not in strife and envying [trouble and jealousy].
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof [provide no opportunity to fulfill the desires of the flesh].

Religious Politics Conclusion
Mixing Religion and Politics in the Bible Summary

There's still more to learn in the next three chapters of this great letter from Paul, so hurry on back and we'll share it together, right here at Daily Bread.