From: bu042@cleveland.freenet.edu (Dave Ercegovic)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Obedience to king and master
Date: 17 Apr 92 02:55:45 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)

Considering the apparent behavior of some sectors of our
government and corporations today, I would like to start a
discussion around a christian's proper role in obeying ones
government and employer in the face of "borderline" behavior by
same.

Issues such as questionable disposal of process chemicals and
solvents, quality certifications for parts that a "little" out of
specification, lack of fiscal integrity with respect to proper
withholding and retirement plan management, withholding factual
information about the use of a product that "may" cause impaired
health, etc.  Not easy black and white issues, but  borderline
'judgement call' issues.  Issues that could be and are being
interpreted differently by different people. (Please no flames,
examples only for example, perhaps you have more subtle ones to
share?)

We are all called to do things right, to live righteously.  Let's
discuss and determine what our proper role is in identifying,
illuminating and correcting "error" in our government and
corporations.  This may prove helpful as our lifestyle comes
under everincreasing pressure from society in general.

As a stepping off place lets consider:

Romans 13:1-7 ...Everyone must submit himself to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has
established.  The authorities that exist have been established by
God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so
will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for
those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to
be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right
and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good. 
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword
for nothing.  He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring
punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore it is necessary to submit
to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment  but
also because of conscience.

This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's
servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone
what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then
revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, honor.

1 Peter 2:13-14 ...Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every
authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the
supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish
those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Leviticus 19-15 ...Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality
to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor
fairly.

Nehemiah 5:6-9 ...When I heard their outcry and these charges, I
was very angry.  I pondered them in my mind and then accused the
nobles and officials.  I told them, "You are exacting usury from
your own countrymen!"  So I called together a large meeting to
deal with them and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back
our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles.  Now you are
selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" 
They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

Psalm 10:17 ...You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you
encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the
fatherless and the oppressed.

Matthew 26:51-52 ...With that, one of Jesus' companions reached
for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high
priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all
who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Sincerely,
Dave

... Standard Disclaimer   ... I Know 'Nuttin!   ...><>

[Please focus on the issue that's relevant to this group.  I'm likely
to reject postings where the most likely responses are going to be
arguments over political issues, etc.  Different people are likely to
have differing views over what is proper and improper.  I'd like to
bracket these disagreements and focus on the question you have raised.
--clh]