I think the premise of your statement is quite accurate, but I would caution against the statement "Many things in the bible are 'conditional'". We live in a world where far too many people believe the Word of God to be conditional in order to justify their bad choices. Go to Romans 13:9 and realize that many might justify as conditional: 1) adultery, because that are really "in love"; 2) stealing, because they are really hungry; 3) bearing false witness, because the person really needs to be punished for offending another; 4) covetness, because they are really poor, etc.
There are many examples in the scriptures against blind obedience to government: Daniel, the three Hebrews, Peter, Paul and other disciples. Even Christ seemed somewhat the need to chastise Peter for agreeing to taxes that should be for the foreigners, not for the children. Thomas Jefferson stated that to be taxed for something that you do not believe in is tyranny. He also said that would that there were a rebellion every twenty years or so. I need not point out that the Declaration of Independence, which once was the foundation of this country, was replete with reasons why it is our responsibility NOT to blindly follow government. Romans 13 makes it clear in itself. "For rulers are not a terror to good works..." If they are, we have a responsibility to obey God, not man, and perhaps even die in so doing. |
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