Church and state

Lutheran, The, Jun 2001 by Weissenbuehler, Wayne

Government created to protect us

Of Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God," how do we explain rulers such as Adolf Hitler? Secondly, why do only 5 percent of the people in Norway attend church when so many U.S. Lutherans have roots there?

Your two questions are related in an unusual way. The Nazi government led by Hitler used Romans 13:1 against the resistance movements in the German church. Nazi leaders argued that since Hitler was duly elected, opposing him was opposing God's instituted authority. Faithful opposition countered by saying blind allegiance to Hitler was idolatrous and that what he proposed and lived out clearly opposed Scripture: "We must obey God rather than any human authority" (Acts 5:29).

Martin Luther believed government and rulers were created to protect us from chaos and evil and that we should obey such a government. Romans 13:1 in its proper context says government is to uphold good (godly) behavior and punish bad (13:3). We're to honor this authority, but there are limits beyond which we will not go. This cost many in Germany their lives!

Government is to serve God's purpose of protecting the weak and curbing the power of evil. Government leaders stand under God's judgment and authority. Hitler is another example of the gift of government used wrongly for the purposes of the Evil One. Sin turns the best into the worst.

Now how does this relate to the Lutheran state church in Norway? Often the government's direct support and close involvement in the affairs of the church don't encourage healthy, vibrant church life. Often the church does better in a hostile environment.

Among Lutheran believers in this country whose forebears came from Norway is a magnificent vitality of faith and profound commitment to the church's spiritual life and ministries of compassion.

Many who came from Norway and formed the Norwegian Lutheran congregations in America came out of the pietist tradition of love for God, prayer and a life of obedience to God. They left what they believed was a dead, unfaithful state church. I can't imagine the ELCA without this heritage. While church vitality isn't obvious in Norway, its country is still characterized by deep personal faith and a strong commitment to social justice and compassion.

Readers are invited to send questions to "Since You Asked, " The Lutheran, 8765 W Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4183. Space does not allow publication of all questions, but all receive serious consideration. The volume of letters makes personal replies impossible.

Weissenbuehler is a pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Englewood, Colo., and former bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod.