Today, churches and clergy need to step up again.<\\/h2>\\n \ This time, the threat of autocracy is not just coming from across the ocean.\\u00a0 It\\u2019s now within our own country.<\\/p>\\n On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Trump v. United States that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for \\u201cofficial acts\\u201d in office<\\/a>.\\u00a0 Thus, SCOTUS has effectively set the stage for an autocracy. If Trump is elected, both he and the architects of Project 2025<\\/a> have plainly stated that this is how they will rule the country from \\u201cday one<\\/a>.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n So how can clergy speak out against this plan and stand up against this movement toward autocracy?\\u00a0 One option is to preach or teach a series about the biblical response to authoritarianism.<\\/p>\\n In my previous piece<\\/a>, I gave a synopsis of three Old Testament passages on the tyranny of kings and how they relate to our current situation.<\\/p>\\n Here, I provide a summary of three messages from the New Testament for resisting the evil of autocracy.<\\/p>\\n

{"id":11970,"date":"2024-07-09T10:51:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T14:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/?p=11970"},"modified":"2024-07-13T18:43:06","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T22:43:06","slug":"3-new-testament-messages-for-resisting-autocracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/2024\/07\/3-new-testament-messages-for-resisting-autocracy\/","title":{"rendered":"3 New Testament Messages for Resisting Autocracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

When the colonies united to fight the autocracy of King George III in the 1700\u2019s, churches<\/a> played an important role in educating, organizing, fostering unity, and providing moral leadership.<\/p>\n

"Stand

Churches and clergy must stand up, speak up to resist autocracy. Photo by Mathias Reding on pexels.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, churches and clergy need to step up again.<\/h2>\n \ This time, the threat of autocracy is not just coming from across the ocean.\u00a0 It\u2019s now within our own country.<\/p>\n On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Trump v. United States that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for \u201cofficial acts\u201d in office<\/a>.\u00a0 Thus, SCOTUS has effectively set the stage for an autocracy. If Trump is elected, both he and the architects of Project 2025<\/a> have plainly stated that this is how they will rule the country from \u201cday one<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n So how can clergy speak out against this plan and stand up against this movement toward autocracy?\u00a0 One option is to preach or teach a series about the biblical response to authoritarianism.<\/p>\n In my previous piece<\/a>, I gave a synopsis of three Old Testament passages on the tyranny of kings and how they relate to our current situation.<\/p>\n Here, I provide a summary of three messages from the New Testament for resisting the evil of autocracy.<\/p>\n

God is the Ultimate Authority<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n Romans 13:1-10<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s tempting to misinterpret Paul\u2019s instructions to the church in Rome about how they are to relate to governing authorities. \u201cLet every person be subject to the governing authorities,\u201d he writes in Rom. 13:1. What they miss is the next part of the sentence: \u201cfor there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.\u201d<\/p>\n This means that any governing authority that gives itself god-like power with no accountability, which the Supreme Court has granted the office of the presidency, is abusing its role.<\/h3>\n SCOTUS conservative justices 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n As my colleague Jerry L. Sumney writes in The Politics of Faith: The Bible, Government, and Public Policy<\/a><\/em>: \u201cacknowledging that governments are set in place by God does not mean God\u2019s people should not oppose their unjust policies,\u201d (89). On the contrary, \u201cLike the Israelite prophets, Paul can say the government is both there by the will of God and that it does evil that God\u2019s people should resist,\u201d (90).<\/p>\n As the Hebrew scriptures established, governments must be accountable to God for how they use their power.\u00a0 According to Deuteronomy 17:14-20<\/a>, this means no ruler is above the law.\u00a0 The Supreme Court ruling has violated not only the rule of civil law, but God\u2019s law by elevating the office of the president to a level beyond accountability and justice.<\/p>\n Thus, as Sumney writes, Romans 13:1-10 \u201cmight suggest that Christians be good citizens and accept the authority of the state when it does not violate their faith and work to change it when it does\u201d (91).<\/p>\n Because the Supreme Court has violated our faith, we must work to change it by voting for those who would reform and expand the Court and reverse this ruling.<\/p>\n The Rulers Lord it Over Them, But You are to Serve<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n Matthew 20:25-28<\/a>, Mark 10:42-45<\/a>, Luke 22:25-27<\/a><\/p>\n The three synoptic gospels all have a version of the same admonition Jesus gives his disciples when they argue over who is the \u201cgreatest.\u201d Here\u2019s Matthew\u2019s version:<\/p>\n You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.\u00a026<\/sup>It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,\u00a027<\/sup>and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave;\u00a028<\/sup>just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matt. 20:25-28)<\/p>\n The \u201crulers\u201d Jesus was referring to were those in the Roman Empire. Rome effectively functioned as an autocracy. The emperor wielded supreme power and controlled both the military and political institutions. Not only was he above the law; the emperor was <\/em>the law.<\/p>\n This emperor-like autocracy is exactly what Trump desires for himself and what the extremist theocrats behind him envision for America.<\/h3>\n***** In contrast, Jesus embodies what God truly desires for those who lead \u2013 dedication to serving others.\u00a0 This should be the criteria for Christians choosing their leaders as well.<\/p>\n How do we know which leaders are dedicated to serving?\u00a0 Watch their actions and listen to the words they use when describing their vision of leadership.<\/p>\n The face of tyranny.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Trump: \u201cI am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. I am your retribution.\u201d (CPAC Speech, 2023<\/a>)<\/p>\n Biden: \u201cOur purpose is to serve others. To know everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.\u201d (Speech at Mt. Airy Church of God In Christ, Philadelphia, 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s orientation, and the Supreme Court\u2019s vision, is antithetical to Jesus\u2019s teaching.<\/p>\n President Joe Biden official portrait (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n President Biden, however, has demonstrated a lifetime of public service and has dedicated his presidency to restoring hope and dignity to our nation. \u201cWe can all seek a life of light, hope, love, and truth,\u201d he said in his speech on July 7.<\/p>\n Only one candidate and his administration have articulated and embodied Jesus\u2019s vision for servanthood leadership. Vote accordingly.<\/p>\n Endurance Needed to Resist the Beasts of Blasphemous Power<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n Revelation 13:1-18<\/a><\/p>\n Contrary to literalist interpretations of Revelation, this book is a work of apocalyptic prophesy that relies on symbols and metaphors to convey its critique of the Roman Empire.\u00a0 Because Christians at the time (circa 90 CE) were experiencing economic and social persecution, John used coded imagery to speak about the ordeals to which they were subjected. Thus, when they heard about a satanic red dragon and its two accompanying beasts, they would have recognized the symbolism.<\/p>\n Drawing on ancient mythology, John\u2019s imagery represented Rome and the imperial cult.<\/h3>\n The dragon and its accomplices believed (and convinced others) that they had universal sovereignty. They instilled awe and fear: \u201cWho is like the beast, and who can fight against it?\u201d (Rev. 13:4). This allowed the monstrosities to blaspheme God, unleash violence on those who resist them, and demand idolatrous worship of their power.<\/p>\n Similarly, the movement of Christian nationalism that propelled Trump to the presidency in 2016 has convinced many that they have universal sovereignty.<\/h3>\n And, in fact, the Supreme Court has now written this sovereignty into law, far overreaching their role in the three branches of government. If Trump would return to the White House, there would be nothing to stop him and his minions from taking away the rights and protections<\/a> of millions of Americans, destroying the institutions of government, and unleashing violence on those who oppose them.<\/p>\n So what are Christians to do?<\/h3>\n John\u2019s warning to all who will listen is this: \u201cHere is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints\u201d (Rev. 13:10). It will take a united, concerted, and focused movement of nonviolent civil resistance, community organizing, and getting people to vote.\u00a0 We need to stand firm against the march toward autocracy and support each other, especially those who are most vulnerable.<\/p>\n We must also remember who holds the true power and sovereignty \u2013 God.<\/h3>\n Our worship must never focus on a single man, a singular institution, or movement, or any human-made idol.\u00a0 Our faithfulness will sustain us because God\u2019s promise to be in solidarity with us will never fail.<\/p>\n ***Are you wondering what preachers can and cannot say in a sermon that addresses political issues?\u00a0 Stay tuned for an upcoming article about that.\u00a0 And click the link in the side bar to sign up for the Patheos Progressive Christian newsletter to get the latest articles!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Read also:<\/h4>\n 3 Old Testament Passages about the Tyranny of Kings<\/a><\/p>\n How Should Clergy Respond to Presidential Immunity Ruling?<\/a><\/p>\n Preaching 2024 Election \u2013 How will Clergy Navigate Issues?<\/a><\/p>\n \n Leah D. Schade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade<\/strong>\u00a0is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at\u00a0<\/em>Lexington Theological Seminary<\/i><\/a>\u00a0in Kentucky and ordained in the ELCA. Dr. Schade does not speak for LTS or the ELCA; her opinions are her own.\u00a0 She is the author of\u00a0<\/em>Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide<\/a>\u00a0(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019)<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit<\/a>\u00a0(Chalice Press, 2015). She is the co-editor of\u00a0<\/em>Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis<\/a>\u00a0(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019). Her newest book is\u00a0<\/em>Introduction to Preaching: Scripture, Theology, and Sermon Preparation<\/a>, co-authored with Jerry L. Sumney and Emily Askew (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Did you know that churches assisted in efforts to overthrow autocracy in colonial America? It’s time to do that again. Scripture can guide us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2929,"featured_media":11973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2091,140,1399,106],"tags":[2499,6,2487,62,2502,64],"class_list":["post-11970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christian-nationalism","category-clergy","category-religion-and-politics","category-trump","tag-autocracy","tag-preaching","tag-presidential-immunity","tag-religion-and-politics","tag-resist","tag-trump"],"yoast_head":"\n3 New Testament Messages for Resisting Autocracy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Did you know that churches assisted in efforts to overthrow autocracy in colonial America? It's time to do that again. 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She has pastored congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. She has authored or co-edited seven books: Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice (Alban Books, Rowman & Littlefield, 2024); Introduction to Preaching: Scripture, Theology, and Sermon Preparation (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023); Apocalypse When?: A Guide to Interpreting and Preaching Apocalyptic Texts (Wipf & Stock, 2020); Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide (Alban Books\/Rowman & Littlefield, 2019); Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019); For the Beauty of the Earth: A Lenten Devotional (Chalice Press, 2019); Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015). She is also the EcoPreacher blogger for Patheos. Rev. Dr. Leah D. 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She has pastored congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. She has authored or co-edited seven books: Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice (Alban Books, Rowman & Littlefield, 2024); Introduction to Preaching: Scripture, Theology, and Sermon Preparation (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023); Apocalypse When?: A Guide to Interpreting and Preaching Apocalyptic Texts (Wipf & Stock, 2020); Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide (Alban Books\/Rowman & Littlefield, 2019); Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019); For the Beauty of the Earth: A Lenten Devotional (Chalice Press, 2019); Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015). She is also the EcoPreacher blogger for Patheos. Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade, author of Preaching and Social Issues Leah has served as an anti-fracking and climate activist, community organizer, and advocate for environmental justice issues. She is currently the grant director for the $1.25 million project \u201cCompelling Preaching for a Climate-Changed World\u201d at LTS in partnership with The BTS Center and Creation Justice Ministries. She also partners with ecoAmerica\u2019s Blessed Tomorrow, and the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, with whom she writes EcoPreacher 1-2-3 for busy pastors wanting to address environmental issues in their sermons. She also served as President of the Academy of Homiletics in 2024. She has been a featured speaker for the Festival of Homiletics, leads workshops and retreats, and keynotes events throughout the country. She was the director of a Wabash grant exploring the use of deliberative dialogue in congregations and theological education is also conducting a longitudinal research study about ministry, preaching, and social issues that has surveyed more than 4,000 clergy and 1,000 laity since 2017. Leah received the Kentucky Council of Churches award in 2019. She is also co-founder of the Clergy Emergency League, a network of 3,300 pastors throughout the U.S. who provide support, accountability, resources, and networking for clergy to prophetically minister in their congregations and the public square in this time of political upheaval, social unrest, and partisan division.","sameAs":["https:\/\/lextheo.edu\/about-the-seminary\/faculty-staff\/leah-d-schade\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LeahDSchade\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/author\/lschade\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2929"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11970"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11970\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ecopreacher\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}