(1) If it would be a violation of his trust to NOT resist. His authority is ultimately from God as well, and not just a trust from his earthly superior.

Now, the question comes: what if he miscalculates? What if his judgment is in error? This warning suffices: Jas.3:1 "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." That counsel is true whether the leader is sacred or secular.

(2) It is a commonsense observation, but one that highlights the responsibility of private judgment.

The magistrate's subjects are never absolved entirely of all individual responsibility to judgment. There is a common view today (odd, to find it among so many nominal Protestants) that whatever the President decides, we are simply to follow, asking no "questions fo conscience' sake." Really? We are to exercise private judgment in matters ecclesial, but not secular?

The problem that all leaders face today is that they do not have a prophet, as Israel did of old. They are not graced with an infallible oracle to decide for them the godly course of action. How much a blessing, then, to have a truly godly leader, surrounded by wise counselors (not sycophants and contributors to his election), who is himself steeped for years in the revealed prophecies of the Bible.

Failing that, I wish we could just get a "wise turk"...

__________________
Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


When posting friends, kindly bear those words of earthly wisdom in mind:
Oh, that God the gift would give us
To see ourselves as others see us.
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