Should we attach warning signs to our mailboxes: “Great Caution is Required” to prepare us for what we may find in it? The other day I received a newsletter written to inform me, in red ink, of “the Bloodstained Hands of Big Brother Government” and “Fascist Terror Stalking America.” This so-called Christian newsletter was filled, from stem to stern, with vitriolic accusations against elected officials and their wives, charging them with committing gross, unmentionable evil.
Perhaps these purveyors of libel are a purely American problem. We hope the whole church is not so afflicted. But here in the United States there are an increasing number who seem to think that Rush Limbaugh is the church’s spokesman on matters of national importance, and that we have every right to defame and denigrate the reputations of government leaders.
Jerry Falwell has sold, via the Old Time Gospel Hour broadcast, thousands of noxious videos which level admittedly unsubstantiated accusations against high government officials. More than 150,000 copies of the video have been sold. The Rutherford Institute printed a rebuttal of the video in its June 1995 issue of their magazine which stated, “It bodes poorly for the church because it demonstrates that we have become voyeuristic, seduced by the sensational, more interested in dirt than in truth. I find that across this country evangelicals are not only buying these videos, but watching them with glee.”
By decrying these publications we are not saying that there are no conspiracies afoot. We are not saying that governmental leaders are morally blameless. Indeed, the book of Daniel says that God sets over the kingdoms of this world “the basest of men.” We are not naive. For all aspiring muck-rakers and mudslingers, there is slime and dirt aplenty. And what is more, it can be found at all levels.
Our concern is that believers not ape the society around us. Presently, Christians across the continent are willing victims of books, magazine articles, tapes and videos which violate the clear sense of Paul’s admonition in Romans 13:1-7,
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?
Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
Paul wrote these words, “honor to whom honor,” when living under one of history’s most vicious tyrants. Nero would have made a fairly large target. Judge for yourself if Paul’s letters contain anything that resembles the muck rake.
Are we supposed to plant our heads in the sand? “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (1 Cor. 14:20). There was no encouragement from Paul to the believers to become expert in the nuances of political intrigues or New Age spookery. Rather, his goal was to see believers grow up from spiritual infancy into spiritual adulthood without becoming contaminated with the “deep things of Satan, as they say” (Rev. 2:24).
In William R. Newell’s Romans Verse by Verse, he has timely remarks on Romans 16:19, “But yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”
In part, he writes: “Indeed, Paul distinctly warns us against a ‘knowing’ spirit as to worldly things: ‘If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise, for the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God.’ ‘Sophisticated’ is what many young people today so desire to be considered: but it is a horrible term, implying experimental knowledge of the unclean things of this world, with all its evil ways. Malice, along with pride, are valued by the world, as exhibiting what they call ‘spirit!’ Let us remember, therefore, that Paul would have us ‘simple’ unto that which is evil. He says in 1 Corinthians 13, ‘Love thinketh no evil,’ literally, ‘taketh not account of evil.'”
Then Newell adds this excellent footnote: “Satan has deceived some good preachers into ‘personally investigating evil people and conditions,’ in order to ‘preach against them;’ but God says, ‘The things that are done of them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.’ Preach the Word; therein will be found abundant discoveries of evil and denunciations thereof; but, being the Word of God, it is holy, and may safely be used in exposing evil. It is like the sunshine that lights up the foulest alley without being itself defiled! Don’t go down the alley personally, lifting the lids of their garbage cans; or you will smell of it!”