Whenever I discuss politics with a Christian, the other person usually ends up quoting Romans 13 to suggest that I ought to shut up and just submit to the government.

This happens so often that I coined a new word to describe this occurence, “romansthirteen”. Here’s the definition.

Of course, the bootlicking, Hitler-glorifying interpretation of Romans 13 most (90+%) of Christians teach is incorrect. Romans 13:3-4 clearly teaches that there is one purpose of government, and that is to be God’s servant to carry out His wrath against evildoers. Any government worker who cares to glorify the Lord in his or her duty, has clear direction on how to do that.

1. Stop attempting to punish people who aren’t committing evil.
2. Stop attempting to collect taxes for anything government does other than punishing evildoers.
3. Be God’s servant to carry out His wrath on evildoers.
4. Stop harassing children with lemonade stands.

Of course, this is a radical idea to Christians who may have read this passage many times without paying attention to what it actually says, and believe that if a cop says kids must have a permit for their lemonade stand, the kids should jump up and go get a street vending permit, a food service license, and a sales tax license. I’ve tried to communicate this true message of Romans 13 to Christians many times online, and even meeting with otherwise knowledgeable people from church in person.

The only counterargument I’ve received is them jumping to some other passage in some other book and trying to explain Romans 13:3-4 away. This is a sure sign of a failed argument.

Whatever biblical doctrine you’re advocating, you must be able to walk through any and all passages and present a clear explanation of what that passage is talking about.

I learned this principle when studying Calvinism and Arminianism. There are passages that appear difficult for both of those systems of thought, and there are passages that initially appear to teach one over the other. The true test for which is correct is to listen to a Calvinist walk through a difficult passage for him, and see if he has a sensible explanation. Then, do the same thing for an Arminian. Of course, you would want to listen to the best and brightest individuals each side has to offer.

Calvinists can walk through 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and Matthew 22:37, and explain what those passages are actually talking about in context, in a way that makes sense. Arminians can’t walk through John 6, 8, Ephesians 1, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9, etc. without jumping to some other passage. This is how we know Arminianism is false.

Anyone can take a few verses out of context, and twist them to teach anything they want. The real test is whether they can make sense of the verses that are difficult for them. Whatever doctrine is true, is true from Genesis to Revelation, in every single passage.

So I’m still looking for someone to explain how Romans 13:3-4 teaches something other than what I’m saying without jumping to some other book of the Bible. Until then, I will support my kids’ black market lemonade stands.