Thread by @RebeccMcLaugh

This is one of my favourite points in #ReadingWhileBlack so far. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges prayer for kings & those in authority. This is often quoted to silence criticism of leaders today. But as @esaumccaulley notes, in the immediate context, Paul critiques Roman practices

Indeed, the idea that praying for someone entails never critiquing their actions makes no sense in any other context. For example, a pastor should absolutely pray for those under his care. But this doesn't mean he should never challenge them on their sin. Quite the reverse.

Paul himself was hardly an establishment guy. Several of his letters were written from prison. And when he experiences illegal beating & imprisonment in Acts 16, he doesn't let the authorities get away with it without recognizing their wrongdoing & apologizing (Acts 16:37-39).

Paul is clear in Romans 13:1-7 that Christians should not take their freedom in Christ as an excuse willfully to break the law. Christians should be good citizens, in as far as following the law is possible while upholding Christian ethics.

But as the apostles demonstrated, when those in authority are telling us to do things that are against Christian ethics & mission, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)