Follow the leader?

Recently Will and I went to Moody Blues with some friends, to enjoy that scrumptious cake and to select tea from the overwhelming variety of choices. After a game of pick-up-sticks we somehow landed on the subject of war (whether it can be justifiable or not), God's involvement in war (if at all), the Holocaust, and (most disturbingly, as one suggested) whether or not God intended the Holocaust to happen. This topic of discussion alone made me uneasy, alongside the fact that I put too much sugar in my tea and the fact that the music (intense modern alternative jazz, with unresolved sporatic chords, as per usual) made me want to yank my hair out. My immediate thoughts were "Of course God did not intend the Holocaust to happen! What kind of God would that be?!" However, to support the inquirer (who seemed to be readying his shell to promptly retreat to it), I said, "Well, God can work through evil to bring out good, such as the work of Victor Frankl" (to name just one).

I wanted so much to believe that it could be that simple. But it isn't.

It was pointed out to me that it is written in scripture that God appoints all leaders, and that everyone should submit to their leader:

Romans 13: 1-2;"Everyone must submit himself to the government authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Well, Hitler was an authority. What does this mean for those who did not support Hitler? What does this mean for Christians now who only remember Hitler for the evil he (and his nazis, and the world who turned a blind eye) committed?

Romans 13: 3-5; "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong....For he is God's servant to do you good....an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience."

This obviously was not written with the Holocaust in mind, but rather specifically to the Romans, with the Roman government in mind. This I know, except that as Christians, I understand we are to look to the whole Bible for guidance, including Pauls letters. Also, Paul makes generalizations that are to be applied in all cases, such as "...for there is no authority except that which God has established."

Personally, I believe God does not appoint leaders, but rather allows leaders to rise and fall, with the ever-present desire that both the leader and the followers believe in Him and seek His will...but that isn't always the case. Either that, or God does appoint leaders with a purpose in mind, but allowing free will to take its course.

But I still struggle with this...

   [ posted by Anabee @ 6:11 PM ]