# 2024 09 22 John Haller Is This a Hammer ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O8VecEctJ1g/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Romans 13 and Political Disagreements - [[Romans 13]] is being used as a tool to win arguments, particularly political ones, and to shut down opposing viewpoints. [(00:02:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=139s) - There is debate, specifically referencing the [[American Revolution]], on whether or not the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]] were disobeying Romans 13 by rebelling against [[United Kingdom | British]] rule. [(00:03:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=197s) ## Romans 13 and Christian Disagreements - Some [[Christianity | Christians]] use Romans 13 to condemn other Christians who support former President [[Donald Trump | Trump]], with some equating him to a messianic figure. [(00:06:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=378s) ## Albania's Independent State - [[Albania]] is a predominantly [[Muslims | Muslim]] country with a significant Christian minority. [(00:13:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=789s) - Albania plans to establish a 27-acre independent state within its borders, similar to [[Vatican City]]. [(00:15:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=930s) - This enclave will have the authority to issue passports and travel documents. [(00:15:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=937s) - The Vatican City is small and could fit between the speaker's location and Route 36. [(00:15:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=956s) ## Romans 13 and Disregarding the Constitution - The speaker questions how [[Romans 13]], which states to submit to higher authorities, applies when those authorities disregard the [[Constitution]]. [(00:17:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1043s) ## Objective Truth and Postmodernism - The speaker believes there is an objective truth but acknowledges living in a postmodern world where everyone's truth is considered valid. [(00:18:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1121s) ## Romans 13 and Capitalistic Materialism - A preacher, who makes millions of dollars annually and owns multiple homes, criticizes [[Christianity | Christians]] for using Romans 13 to justify capitalistic materialism. [(00:23:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1390s) ## Double Standards in Justice - The Department of Justice's claim of respecting peaceful protests is contradicted by the imprisonment of elderly individuals for praying outside abortion clinics, while those they support face no consequences for burning down courthouses. [(00:24:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1476s) ## Historical Examples of Disobedience to Authority - The speaker draws a parallel between the Pharaoh's decree to kill [[Jews | Jewish]] firstborn sons and Herod's similar actions, highlighting their attempts to interrupt the lineage of the [[Messiah]]. [(00:28:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1693s) - King [[Darius the Great | Darius]] established a decree, influenced by lobbyists, making it illegal to pray to anyone but himself for 30 days. [(00:32:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1936s) - Daniel, aware of this decree, continued to pray to [[God]] three times a day with his windows open, facing [[Jerusalem]]. [(00:33:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=1994s) - Daniel was found praying to God and reported to King Darius, who was bound to uphold the decree he had signed. [(00:34:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2046s) - Peter and other apostles were imprisoned but escaped and continued preaching in the temple. They were brought before the high priest and elders, where they defended their actions, stating their obedience to God over men. [(00:36:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2185s) ## Interpreting Romans 13 - The speaker recounts the story of Peter and the apostles to introduce the complexity of interpreting [[Romans 13]], which instructs obedience to higher authorities. The speaker uses examples like the [[American Revolution]], the [[American Civil War | Civil War]], and the [[Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 | Fugitive Slave Act]] to illustrate varying interpretations of this verse. [(00:38:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2313s) ## Romans 13 and Political Stances - Romans 13 is often used to justify different political stances, and the speaker mentions a humorous anecdote about AI rewriting the Gettysburg Address and someone turning it into a PowerPoint presentation. [(00:41:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2471s) ## Romans 13 and Church Finances - Some elders believed that ministers claiming home expenses as an allowance to avoid paying taxes on all church income was wrong. [(00:43:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2593s) ## Paul's Message in Romans - Paul's message in [[Romans 13 | Romans]] encourages acting righteously, especially as we approach the end times, emphasizing love as the fulfillment of the law. [(00:45:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2712s) ## Using Romans 13 Wisely - The speaker cautions against using Romans 13 to judge others, emphasizing the importance of respecting individual consciences while also condemning actions that are clearly wrong, citing the example of celebrities attending parties hosted by someone facing serious charges. [(00:45:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=2741s) ## Call to Action - A request is made for help in taking passages to heart, especially during the current season in the [[United States]] and other countries. [(00:50:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=3001s) - A request is made to act properly and use scripture wisely, not as a weapon against those with differing viewpoints. [(00:50:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=3016s) - A request is made for blessings this week. [(00:50:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VecEctJ1g&t=3027s)