It is often heard for Christians to level criticism towards libertarian views on government as anti-Christian. To hold views against the government, particularly the GOP (though sometimes begrudgingly including the left in order to maintain some semblance of objectivity), is a sin against God himself. After all, does Romans 13 not explicitly command Christians to submit themselves to the authority placed over them?
Daniel 2:21 explains God raises up kings, and He brings them back down. God is He who appoints leaders their time. He is in control of every position of power and does so with a reason.
The first few verses of Romans 13 tell us that we should be subject to governing authorities. 13:4 says they are the agents of God: 13:3 says those authorities hold no danger for those who do right, only those who do wrong. Therefore, it is clear to rebel against those in authority over us is unBiblical, right?
These verses are not the extent to which the Bible speaks on government.
Matthew 22:21 sees Jesus order His followers to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and render to God what is God’s. Jesus was responding to whether or not the Jewish people should pay taxes to the occupying Roman government; however, His answer is not clearly directed at only taxes. Therefore, it is imperative to determine what is Caesar's, and what is God’s.
Man’s humanity comes from God. Man’s soul comes from God. Human rights do not come from man, a leader, or a government. They come from God, or at least, if not capital G “God”, a metaphorical representation of a god-creator: a place from where humanity exists out of reach of the hands of man to touch, alter, or destroy.
While God placed leaders and authority above us, He did not intend these authority to replace Him. Caesar is ordained by God, but he is not God. Caesar is not infallible, he is not the source of morality. By making out authority to be a source of unquestionable guidance, one has only made that authority to be a god. A red, white, and blue false god is not a substitute for the real thing. Throughout history, good people have allowed atrocities to happen because they believed their leaders knew best.
Thus a question is posed: what makes us any different? Is it not more morally corrupt to sit idly by as the authority above you goes unquestioned and unhindered because of some misplaced sense of respect and nationalism?
If the authority orders to do what is wrong, would the authority hold only terror for those who follow? Romans 13:3 is often read only in the positive: rebelling against the authority wrong. Do right, follow the authority, and you will remain safe. But, if read in the negative it becomes clear doing wrong leads only to danger, and the authority operating in the wrong will lead you only to terror.
In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood up, literally and figuratively, to a false god of authority. They were thrown into the fire, yet God delivered them.
Caesar does not own you. He does not own your humanity. He does not own your inalienable rights. He does not own your soul.
Do not render these things to Caesar, lest you create a false god of authority.
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