A Time To…Politick! - The Apostle Paul (Part One) - Romans 13
Sep 14, 2023
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Within the podcast, Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett delve into the politics of the New Testament, focusing on Paul's letter to the churches in Rome. They discuss misinterpretations of the kingdom and refute the idea that it is based on the American government. Additionally, they explore the purpose of Paul's letter, theories behind it, and the historical interpretation of Romans 13:1-7. The hosts emphasize the role of love and peacemaking in the book of Romans, calling for harmonious living within the Roman government.
Understanding the context and intentions behind political discussions is crucial for fruitful conversations.
Interpreting Romans 13:1-7 requires considering Paul's message of love and peacemaking, rather than promoting blind obedience to government.
Deep dives
The purpose of the podcast episode
In this episode of the King of Roots Podcast, the hosts continue their series on the politics of the New Testament, specifically focusing on the Apostle Paul and his letter to the house churches in Rome. They begin by addressing a correspondence from a listener about a previous episode on Jesus and politically charged interactions. The hosts discuss the importance of understanding the context and intentions behind their discussions. They also reflect on the challenge of political conversations in today's society, where people often fail to truly listen to one another and jump to conclusions based on soundbites.
The meaning of politics in the New Testament
The hosts explore the meaning of politics in the New Testament and how Christians were grappling with their relationship to political authorities. They discuss passages from various books, highlighting how believers were trying to navigate their political surroundings and live out their faith. They emphasize that the concept of politics in the first century was centered around figuring out how to relate to political government when Christians were not in power. They also address the differences in political contexts for Jewish believers in Jerusalem compared to Gentile believers in places like Rome.
Interpreting Romans 13:1-7
The hosts delve into the challenging and often misunderstood passage of Romans 13:1-7. They stress that a universal and uncritical interpretation of this passage, suggesting blind obedience to all governing authorities, is inconsistent with the teachings of the New Testament. They argue that the verse should be read in the context of Paul's overarching message of love and peacemaking. They highlight how the language of 'doing good' and 'public praise' correlates with the importance of public benevolence and service, rather than blind conformity to government. They underline the need for discernment and a commitment to love and pursue peace in political situations.
Understanding God's authority and human agency
The hosts address the question of God's authority in relation to political powers. They reject the idea that God endorses all actions of these authorities or orchestrates evil through them. They argue that God created a world with human agency and freedom, and the evil that exists is a result of human sin, not God's direct control. They emphasize that believers should discern how to act and respond in political situations based on love, justice, and the teachings of Jesus. They caution against a simplistic view of God's sovereignty and providence, noting that embracing such perspectives can lead to moral and theological problems.
In this episode Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett continue their series on the politics of the New Testament (A Time To…Politick!) within which they will examine political themes, texts, and theories from Jesus of Nazareth to John of Patmos.
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