Chapter. 4. Directions for the ordering ourselves in our fear of Authority.
matters concerning God. Yet, insofar as God requires, their hearts do fear and they show reverence.
Before I proceed to demonstrate how faith helps against the fear of men, I will provide some guidelines for properly respecting human authority. Although we must not fear it in any way that goes against God, we must still fear it. Faith will teach us not to fear it in one way, and yet it will teach us to fear it in another way. As the Apostle says in Romans 13:7, "Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." It is a Christian's duty to give fear to those who deserve it.
Martin Luther, speaking about obedience to authority, said, "I would rather obey than work miracles." We also have a notable passage in Peter's Epistle, where the Apostle includes those who despise government among those whom God will judge. Therefore, we see that God does not want us to despise and disregard government.
Chapter 4 Guidelines for Properly Respecting Authority Therefore, in order to properly order ourselves in our fear of authority and those who are above us, the following points must be established as a foundation:
1. First, we should only fear authority as being under a higher authority.
2. Secondly, we must differentiate between the concept of authority and the individuals who hold positions of authority.
3. Thirdly, it is important for us to understand the various callings that people have in their positions of authority.
4. Fourthly, we need to be aware of the boundaries and limitations of authority.
5. Fifthly, it is important to know how to respond when authority is diminished or diminished in its scope.
6. Lastly, we will provide some guiding principles for our passive obedience to authority when it is being misused.
These six points encompass this part of addressing the topic, and I will keep my explanations concise.
Firstly, we must establish this as a foundation: No authority should be feared and obeyed except in relation to a higher authority. I recall the customary expression used in England during jubilees and commissions: "In all things, make sure there is no prejudice to the right of the King." Similarly, among the Turks, when someone held a position of judgment or authority, a proclamation was made before them: "Let nothing be done against the truth." It is said that Frederick the Third, when asked who was most dear to him, replied:
"Those who fear God more than me." Augustine also expressed it by saying, "He does not despise power who chooses to serve a higher power." He addresses the Emperor, saying, "Grant us permission not to serve you in certain matters, for you threaten imprisonment, while
God threatens judgment and hell."
Indeed, a person in authority is God's representative, but not only God should be feared above His representative; in every individual, there is a representative that should be obeyed even more than any other representative, and that is the conscience of man. Thus, man comes to be obeyed in the third rank. Firstly, God is the highest.
Then, there is a second, which is God's immediate representative, the conscience. And then, there is a third, which is the authority of man.
This representative is subordinate to the other two. Therefore, nothing should be done against the highest authority, nor against the authority of conscience.
Secondly, for our guidance in subjecting ourselves to those who are above us and in rightly fearing them, we must distinguish between authority and the individuals in authority. Authority is established by virtue of a lawful power granted to a person in authority. However, if a person in authority commands something that is not based on the authority given to them, even if it may be good, it is not true authority but merely their own thoughts and desires. As Sampson said, "If I do this or that, I will be like any other man." Similarly, a person in authority may be like any other person when they only command according to their own will. Therefore, to disobey the mind and will of individuals in authority is not always to disobey authority, if the matter is not commanded by virtue of their authority.
Thirdly, it is necessary for us to understand the various reasons why individuals are called to positions of authority in order to properly order ourselves in our fear. This is to be accepted as a given: all lawful authority is from God, even the power held by non-believers.
But there are two types of calling to positions of government and authority.
Firstly, there is an immediate calling, as when God called Saul and David to their roles in government.
Secondly, there is a mediate calling, which occurs when God, through people, places either a specific individual or a particular family in a position of government or authority.
Now, when someone is brought into a position of government by those who have lawful power, even though it is through human means, they are in that position as appointed by God and are to be obeyed not only out of fear but also for the sake of conscience.
It is crucial to understand what initially binds a person's conscience to be in submission to another individual. There was a time when such individuals or families did not possess the power of authority.
Therefore, something must grant them power. It is not their strength or conquest that can achieve this because my conscience is not obligated to submit to someone who is stronger than me as my governor; I would only do so to ensure my own safety. If another person comes and achieves victory, am I supposed to abandon my previous sovereign and submit to them? That would not be accepted.
We cannot relinquish our sovereign to go to another simply because they have more strength. So, what must bind my conscience? It must be some indication of God's will that this is my governor. This indication can come either directly from Heaven through the prophets or through the inclination of those in power to appoint a particular individual or family to a position of authority. As far as God's will is made known to me, I am bound in conscience to submit accordingly.
Fourthly, it follows from this that you must consider the extent to which this authority is limited. If no individual has authority beyond
what God reveals, and God reveals His will either directly from Heaven or by inclining the hearts of those in power to grant authority to a specific person, then the limitations must align with the power that bestows authority. If God confers authority directly, then it is to be limited accordingly. However, if God confers power through humans, then it is to be limited accordingly.
In various kingdoms and countries, there are different forms of government. One country is governed by states, another by a monarchy, and other countries have different types of governance.
What causes this difference in governments? The difference is necessarily determined by the power that initially bestows this authority, and thus it is to be limited by that authority.
5. But what if those who have limited authority abuse their power and exceed their boundaries?
To that, I answer: People in positions of authority are to be respected, but their abuse can take two forms. Firstly, when they command something that is unlawful, and secondly, when they command something that is beyond their authority. For example, if a Lord commands something that falls under the jurisdiction of a Prince and goes beyond their rightful power, it is not disobedience to authority to refuse because the authority does not require it. If we believe that there must be power to confer authority, this power can come from either God or humans. If neither God nor humans bestow the authority, then they have no legitimate authority.
But what if those in authority command something that is unlawful, yet they do not exceed the limits of their authority?
How can that be? It is true that God only grants commissions to command lawful things, but humans can confer so much power upon others that, by virtue of that power bestowed by humans, they can command what is unlawful. I do not say this is right, but their power enables them to do so. Now, if someone, by the power granted to them by humans, commands something unlawful, even though we should not actively obey, we must passively obey or find a sly way to obey. We must not seek justice through mutiny or rebellion. My reasoning is that the relationship between a governor and a subject is similar to the relationship between individuals. For instance, if another person possesses something that rightfully belongs to me, I cannot violently take it back. I would be justly regarded as someone who is doing wrong and treated as a criminal. I must patiently endure until I can legally recover what is rightfully mine. Similarly, if someone in authority has been given power to command things that are unlawful either by our forefathers or by our own submission, I must endure until I can legally reclaim what is rightfully ours through the power that initially granted it to them.
This explanation addresses a significant objection.
The Christians in the early days, who lived under persecuting Emperors, were commanded to worship idols, which was an unlawful thing. Yet, they did not rebel against them, even though they had enough strength. Instead, they chose to suffer passively.
Some people believe that whenever those in authority command something, the only way to address it is through passive obedience. It is true that the Christians did not rise up but chose to suffer passively. This was because the Emperors held power in their hands, and the Christians could not legally reclaim their rights from them using the same power that granted them authority.