Should Christians Obey Dumb Laws? 

Stupid laws encourage defiance

I was surprised when you spoke about the local sheriff’s authority during c*vid. Our local sheriff did exactly that to our governor here in Utah when his unelected HHS advisor recommended that all people caught walking on the streets in Utah without a mask should be stopped, warned and/or ticketed. He said he was not elected to be a babysitter for law abiding citizens doing nothing illegal and refused. It was a fight but the gov backed off. Letters to the editor complained the sheriff didn’t care about the public health, he said he cared about our freedom. Our state legislature said ENOUGH and said any actions attempting to circumvent them by an unelected person would be stopped. Masks were made voluntary after the first several months and stayed that way. I’m grateful for our sheriff and our legislature. 👍

I'm glad you're covering this topic... To me, Romans 13 is the most troublesome passage in entire New Testament. Thank you.

How should Christians respond when the government writes a law with a clear unrighteous consequence of causing unjust suffering? For example, when a state governor unilaterally shuts down small business in the name of current health panic, thereby destroying your livelihood. Do you continue to work "under the table" to feed your family? Defy government orders, tax evasion, etc. to feed your family?

Lesser Magistrates are UNDER the authority of the Constitution!

My understanding of Romans 13 is that it specifically upholds the right of the government to punish evil. Dumb laws fall outside this category and Christians are not obligated to obey them (or not obey them).

Love your stuff! Can you make another video answering this question from scripture? I know this was more meant to talk about what the show will discuss but i feel like everytime i hear this brought up it’s never flushed out from the scripture on why we don’t have to obey dumb laws. I’m still learning but what about the passages on the sermon on the mount where Christ says to with the person (the roman soldier) 2 miles instead of 1 mile? The context is speaking towards retaliation and not resisting the one who is evil. I know this doesn’t equal pacifism but that seemed like a fairly “dumb” law they had to follow. Would love to hear ur thoughts if u have time!

Time travel to 1940's Europe. When "the government" says get onto the train taking you to the concetration camp, you get on and go. You are in early 1970's Cambodia, the men in black pajamas with red scarves tell you to go to the jungle work camp. Because you must obey rulers. Obey chapter 13. Change my mind.

I remember when I was a kid that the local newspaper ran a piece about old laws still on the books. One was that it was illegal to take a bath on Sunday.

Well, I guess I won't be parking my elephant in a car's parking spot. But can I still park it where the Amish park their horses?

Keith! Don't knock jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft until you've tried it! The sensation is AWESOME! The view is spectacular!

Actually the Covid law were opposing scripture, they were enforcing that we couldn’t meet as a church/Christians- that is opposing scripture, “do not forsake the gathering “.

Isn't that wrestling match law how Jerry Springer got into trouble?

Always fascinating/important conversation, Joseph & Keith, may God bless your families always!

Pastor Keith… did you have to hold back from saying “BY what standard” around the 15:00 mark?😅

I stopped watching wretched radio over the pinwheel thing but recently I've watched the occasional episode.

The Roman empire was wicked and not doing the will of God, that is the government that Paul is telling believers in the first century to obey. Whether the government is for or against God makes no difference whether Christians obey the laws that they make.

The highest ‘law’ (authority) in the land isn’t a person…it’s a document! Romans 13 tells us that the U S Constitution was put in place BY GOD, and we should submit to its authority! Not the President, certainly not the Resident and not ANY of the other branches of ‘gummint’ that are ALSO bound to SUBMIT to the ONLY rightful authority in this land!

You already do, so.

Only if they're pre-determined to do so since before the dawn of time. Unless that's what you mean, this entire question is nonsensical and pointless, as you yourself don't think you have a free choice to obey dumb laws or not. What's the purpose in evaluating the wisdom of a choice you don't get to make? The first rule of Calvinism is to at all times pretend that you aren't a Calvinist.

Hallelujah!!! I’m blessed and favored with $60,000 every week! Now I can afford anything and support the work of God and the church. For Your glory, LORD! HALLELUJAH!

Let's go to priest to find God's word Lol

Are we Sola Scriptura or are we Scripture + whatever reason and "common" sense I follow personally and agree with? Scripture is clear and the early Christians here were being ordered to submit to Rome, a power far worse and more pagan than present day America. This is libertarianism/Sovereign citizen thought disguised as theology. I find it ironic that Calvinists are so in favor of the right of personal libertine free will when God forbids it explicitly in this particular topic. In breaking the law to make this show, he is breaking God's law and needs to repent. 1 Peter 2:13-17 Submit yourselves to *every ordinance* of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Romans 13:1-10 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Matthew 22:15-22 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. Mark 12:13-17 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. Luke 20:20-26 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. Unless they command something explicitly against scripture, we must obey them and pay every cent of taxes they ask for. If they command something against scripture, we are to disobey and be martyred for our faith, up to and including death.

He lost me at the mention of Doug Wilson.