Gary responds to the bizarre statements being made by self-proclaimed Christian, seminary student, and potential U.S. senator, James Talarico.
Claims to authority rest upon religious presuppositions (presupposed ideas about the fundamental nature of reality). When a clash among competing authorities develops, the battle follows religious lines, because competing authorities “say” contradictory things about the fundamental nature of reality. Those who seek to overthrow existing authority structures do so in the name of morality, goodness, and right. These purveyors of the new order fight their battle with religious zeal and contrast the evil old order with the righteous new. The old order is assumed to be despotic, tyrannical, and repressive, while the new order will bring about liberty, freedom, fairness, and equality. Those rulers who “take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed” (Psalm 2:2b) want to rid themselves of the old way. They see God’s manner of living as being shackled by “fetters” and “cords” (v. 3).
The religious and political rulers of Jesus’ day understood the religious character of authority. When Jesus in effect put religious leaders on notice that their authority was suspect, they knew the battle lines were being drawn: “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” (Matthew 21:23). When Jesus identified His authority with that of His Father, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Him” (John 10:31). Their hostility resulted from Jesus’ claims to divine sanction for His actions: “You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God” (John 10:33). Jesus based His authority on His Father’s authority, and on Himself as God in human flesh (cf. Mark 2:1-12). The religious and political rulers of His time based their authority on their own manmade traditions. In effect, they had become “gods walking on earth.”
The religious and political leaders of Jesus’ day were in positions of authority because the people wanted what they claimed they could offer. While liberty had been promised in previous times, tyranny was the present effect of those feeble promises. God-ordained authority was rejected for a supposed liberating authority that would free both church and State.
God and Government
With a fresh new look, more images, an extensive subject and scripture index, and an updated bibliography, God and Government is ready to prepare a whole new generation to take on the political and religious battles confronting Christians today. May it be used in a new awakening of Christians in America—not just to inform minds, but to stimulate action and secure a better tomorrow for our posterity.
Buy NowGary responds to the bizarre statements being made by self-proclaimed Christian, seminary student, and potential U.S. senator, James Talarico. He has been on The Joe Rogan Podcast and recently defeated Jasmine Crockett in a primary. His theological statements are as wacky and unbiblical as his politics.