Hey my friend!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
This will become a part of my collection of writings on the Kingdom of God. I'd love to hear your further thoughts as you think about this. FYI, you can find a lot more background for what I've said here on my Library Kingdom shelf...
Yes, we absolutely need each other! We need to communicate and learn from each other the things our LORD Jesus is teaching us from his word.
So glad you stopped by!
😄😇😉
lol it might take me awhile to process these. i am so very fearful of taking scripture out of context to fit my needs(views) rather than being led by the Holy Spirit that usually passages of scripture can take me awhile to fully get through and be comfortable with my understanding of it.
So, @papacrusher,
My understanding is that the context for any and everything in scripture must necessarily be all of scripture. And in our weakness and humanity, we have an almost insurmountable tendency to filter what we read through the lens, or the "eyeglasses," of whatever systematic theology we have grown up with or been taught. Unfortunately, if we start out being too resistant to new ideas (i.e., "Shields up! Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!"), then we never can learn anything.
When I'm confronted with a new idea that has radical consequence, I find myself reading through the bible again, trying to see whether or not that idea "fits" everything else scripture has to say. If you have a chance, check this out:
A Sola the Reformers Missed - "Sola Ecclesia"
In that article (and hopefully in a non-threatening way), I propose that readers "try on a different pair of glasses," at least provisionally. It need not be a permanent change of viewpoint if it doesn't "pan out," but the suggestion is to give the viewpoint a fair chance as you read the scriptures, to see if it "fits."
I believe this is what the Bereans did, searching the scriptures when Paul and Silas confronted them with new ideas.
That article was definitely interesting and a unique interpretation of government I had not heard before. As I was reading the article, the one thing came to mind was a passage in John:
This got me to thinking that if the power was "given" from above to Pilate, an earthly ruler representing government, it was done so with God's knowledge of how he would use it and for whatever reason Jesus and the Jews were subject under it. Please know I am not trying to be disrespectful to your thoughts or beliefs, I'm just curious about this perspective.
Fantastic observation and question! <3
So, here's my take on it, which partly has to do with the function of language and of translation...
The word Pilate uses is ἐξουσία (exousia), most often translated into English as authority and occasionally as power. Check out BibleHub for extensive details on its meaning and usage in many contexts.
Here's the thing: the English word "authority" has strong implications of legitimacy. However, perhaps not so much in Greek, though "authorization" in the sense of legitimacy can be correct, depending on the context.
I've become persuaded that (certainly in this context where Pilate is speaking) there is a clear divide between moral authority and raw power. Pilate's actions (as I believe are the actions of all earthly states) were illegitimate, an exercise of raw power, not a legitimate authority delegated by God. And of course, by Pilate's own admission, he found no fault in Jesus.
You said:
@papacrusher, thanks for the disclaimer, but it's not necessary! I truly appreciate your thoughtful questions, and would love to have more readers show up with the same attitude.
Jesus told us that he holds ALL authority on earth...
I further expound on the idea that Jesus is our only legitimate source of authority in this article, FYI... :D I believe that this is the "really good news," A.K.A. "the gospel" that the church needs to be proclaiming. We have a new boss, and he's the best possible; we don't need to pay petty earthly tyrants "no nevermind" any more...
Interesting discourse, to say the least. I definitely understand the woeful limitations on the translation as it had passed from the various languages down to us and have been shown similar "translation" issues in the past.
But with this interaction between Jesus and Pilate was in the midst of political connotations and Jesus was taken to Pilate specifically because of his authority in the region at the time under the ruling authority of Caesar. But I was also contemplating that when Jesus speaks of the only power Pilate had was given to him by God could also allude to the premise that this temporary authority was permitted by God in order for various prophecies concerning the Messiah to be fulfilled. This would not legitimize governments but have them serve a purpose for the fulfillment of prophecy.
Another thought I had that supports your original premise about earthly governments is that I know this was not the original plan of God. The Bible is fairly clear, in my understanding, that God's original government design was an evolution from the priests of the Levi tribe to the judge system put into place. The only reason a king was ever appointed was because of the moaning and groaning (as usual lol) of the people. Only then did God permit a king to be appointed and also only after several admonitions that it would be a mistake.
Precisely! The state is and has always been an egregious error brought on by human hubris...
Human states are, in fact based on the very same sin Satan committed when he fell from grace; namely, aspiring to be like God.
You're also precisely right about this. God often through history uses fallen and corrupt human states to accomplish his purposes. The thing to bear in mind is exactly that this in no way legitimizes those evil beasts, nor does it constitute God's stamp of moral approval. This can easily be seen in that God subsequently judges such national behavior by destroying those nations.