Power and Authority: Who's Really in Charge?

Every society has a philosophy about the source of governing authority. Rome believed the gods had given them an empire without end. They believed they could conquer and rule the world, because they were favored by the gods. In our modern world, we have secularized the source of governing authority. We tend to believe rulers are given authority by the consent of the people they govern. Paul’s words to the churches in Rome challenge not only the Roman political philosophy, but also our modern political philosophy. Revelation 13 adds another dimension to help shape our political imagination. Ultimately, the biblical authors see the governing authorities as a sometimes-useful servant, but also a monster which will be held accountable by the true King for all its sins. (Romans 13:1-7; Revelation 13)