Revolutionary Subordination

An article from Monday, March 31st by Dr. M. Daniel Carroll Rodas, addresses immigration and the reading of Romans 13. Dr. Rodas explains that many Christians on both sides of the immigration debate are impacted by Romans 13. Those opposed to immigration use it as a way to uphold the role of government and the enforcement of national laws. Those more sympathetic to the plights of immigrants struggle to balance the biblical call to submit to authorities with immigrants' lived consequences of doing so.

Echoing John Howard Yoder, however, Dr. Rodas speaks to the importance of reading Romans 13 alongside of, and connected to, Romans 12:

To begin with, Christians must recognize that their agenda is set in the previous chapter of Paul's letter. Chapter 12 tells believers not to be molded by the "pattern of this world" (12:2). Their lives should be characterized by service to others, love, and compassion—even toward enemies (12:3-21).

This key point reminds us that as Christians, we must always hold in the front of our minds and hearts the call to love and also reminds us of the importance of a thoughtful and contextual interpretation of any biblical text.

This article also reminded me of Stanley Hauerwas' claim that immigration is the great Catholic issue, because Catholics have never had much use for nation-state boundaries. As Hauerwas put it, our lives are in service to the Church, not to a nation. The Catholic Social Teaching principal of solidarity certainly reflects that and encourages Catholics to act with compassion and justice for all of our sisters and brothers in the global family.

What I appreciate most about this article is the recognition that as Christians, we are called to exist in the often tense place that Yoder calls "revolutionary subordination." Living as subordinates to the laws and boundaries of a nation-state does not equal unchecked, uncontested submission. Instead, inspired by the Gospel, we are simultaneously called to find ways to work for peace and justice from within this place. As Dr. Rodas puts it:

Citizens of the U.S. have the right to disagree with the government, and, motivated by their principles, Christians do this in multiple ways: at the ballot box, through publications, by organizing educational, legal, and civic organizations that defend other points of view, by participating in peaceful protests of many kinds for a host of causes, and the like.

Although it is easy to feel like these types of actions are small and insignificant, history offers us several examples of "success," from the disciples, to those involved in the Civil Rights Movement, to the peace activists in our midst. But these witnesses also remind us that the Cross is central to this action. On this day, in fact, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., preacher and activist, who was assassinated 40 years ago today for living within the tension of revolutionary subordination.