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  • From: RSBrenchley AT aol.com
  • To: corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Re: Romans 13:1-7
  • Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 04:01:30 EDT


> Even within Ro 13 as it stands there is a form of political
> subversion. It could be read as a command to obey Caesar, but it can
> be read to say that even in this obedience, the one really being
> obeyed is God. This may have been enough for some Emperors, but with
> the likes of Nero, this would NOT have been enough. Nero would of
> demanded that he be obeyed AS God, not BECAUSE OF God. The REAL power
> and authority is removed from the empire to the divine. The obedience
> rendered to "the state" has been "relavitized".
>
> This may not be very satisfactory for us, but I wonder if it wasn't
> revolutionary for the original audience?
> --
> Steve Black
> Vancouver School of Theology
> Vancouver, BC
> ---

I think this would be more plausible in a situation where there was an
established tradition of divine kingship. Since it was an innovation at Rome,
how seriously were Imperial claims of that sort actually taken?

Regards,

Robert Brenchley
RSBrenchley AT aol.com
Birmingham UK




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