Taking a piece of scripture out of context to prove a particular religious or political position, violates the purpose and intent of the passage. An example is:
Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.”
This passage has been used to justify slavery and the current crisis of splitting families on our southern border. However, knowing the context in which St. Paul writes reveals that the core values and meaning is revealed in Romans 13: 9,10, “…and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Jesus said, “I came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.”
The division of church and state was intended to protect religion from the state, not the state from religion. Religion is the voice of conscience, when the state shows it has no moral compass.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Finally, the haunting words of Pastor Niemoller (1892-1984) come to mind:
“First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Rev. Dr. Randall K. Wilburn
Belchertown
The writer is the interim Minister of the First Congregational Church of Great Barrington.