A Broken Nation: Question 2

What do you do when your leaders are un-Godly and want to lead you in an un-Godly direction? This is a very real problem in many of our churches today, not to mention current and past governments, families, schools, businesses, and the like.  What do you do if you're a Christian in Nazi-Germany during the time of Hitler? How do you balance Acts 23:5 where it says, "Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people," (NIV) with the two greatest commandments of loving the Lord your God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself?

Christ says in Matt. 5:39 to not resist an evil man, yet throughout the rest of the scripture, it's very clear that we should not follow our leaders in an ungodly direction. Throughout history the Church has wrestled with this, especially when it comes to war. One attempt to solve this issue has been the drafting of the "Just War Theory". Other groups like the Quakers have chosen to refrain from participation in war except as medical staff.

For most of my life I've heard that supporting America, no matter what, is the best way to show respect to our leaders. But what about when America is in the wrong? (I even feel dirty writing that last sentence... Man we've been indoctrinated!) Better yet, what about when your church leadership is wrong? For instance, what do you do when your church wants to build another multi-million dollar building 10 miles down the street from the slums where people can't get enough to eat?

The real question becomes, how do you love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, when doing so requires you to not follow your leaders? Obviously, you have to resist, but how?

To find out more, read Answer 2.

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