Does God Appoint Tyrants and Should We Submit To Them? A Look into Romans 13 with Dr. Jim Cassidy

Join Rev. Chris Gordon, Dr. Jim Cassidy and Rev. Dr. Dan Borvan as they delve into Romans 13 and its implications for Christians' engagement with politics and governing authorities. They discuss why political discourse has become so prominent in Christian circles, the challenges of a fractured culture, and the influence of mainstream media on church discussions. The conversation explores the aim of Romans 13, the nature of respect shown to the State, and the historical tendency of Christians to support dubious political leaders. They also tackle the idea of a 'Christian prince,' the dangers of Christian nationalism, and where in scripture Jesus vies for power. The discussion further examines the role of Christians as calming agents, the transient nature of earthly kingdoms versus the enduring heavenly kingdom, and the government's true responsibilities. Drawing on insights from Meredith Kline and Abraham Kuyper, they explore the concept of the state's authority and its relationship to the church, the Lex Talionis, and Calvin's views on wicked rulers. The episode concludes with a discussion on God's sovereignty, the Two Kingdoms doctrine (2K), and the concept of Radical Two Kingdom (R2K) theology.

Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:23 - Romans 13
00:03:50 - Why the Interest in Politics in Christian Circles?
00:06:21 - Politics as the Last Common Ground
00:07:18 - Mainstream Media Debates Enter the Church
00:11:15 - The Aim of Romans 13 Regarding Governing Authorities
00:12:00 - Respect for the State is Not Performance-Based
00:13:45 - Christian Support for Dubious Political Leaders
00:19:00 - Christian Nationalism and Government Power
00:20:00 - The "Christian Prince" and Historical Context
00:20:40 - Jesus Vying for Power in Scripture
00:22:00 - Republican Presidents and Christian Power
00:23:50 - Texas Nationalist Movement and Democratic Presidents
00:24:50 - Christians as Calming Agents
00:31:40 - Inheriting a Kingdom That Shall Not Be Shaken
00:33:45 - So Heavenly Minded, No Earthly Good
00:34:35 - The Government's Responsibility
00:39:00 - Meredith Kline and Klineanism
00:40:50 - The State vs. The Church as Holy Institutions
00:41:50 - Abraham Kuyper
00:48:30 - Lex Talionis
00:51:10 - Kline on the Origin of State Power
00:55:55 - Calvin on Wicked Rulers
00:57:25 - Reformers and Pluralist Society
00:58:00 - Hitler and Nero Appointed by God?
01:00:00 - God's Sovereignty and Contempt for Calvinism
01:01:55 - All Christians Are 2K (Two Kingdom)
01:03:15 - R2K (Radical Two Kingdom)

Dr. James "Jim" Cassidy has been the pastor of SAPC since its inception in July 2014 as a daughter congregation of Providence Presbyterian Church in Pflugerville, Texas.

Jim was raised in a Roman Catholic home in Edison, New Jersey. He was later led to the Lord by a friend in his sophomore year of college. His wife, Eve, was raised in Madison, New Jersey and was led to Christ through the ministry of Grace OPC in Westfield, New Jersey. She is a busy and active mother. Jim and Eve have been blessed with three children: Caitlyn, Ian, and Anna.

Jim previously served in OPC pastorates in Pennsylvania (Johnstown) and New Jersey (Ringoes). In his ministry he has been and continues to be committed to proclaiming Christ and Him crucified from all the Scriptures. Jim earned an MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary as well as the PhD in Historical and Theological Studies, concentrating in Systematic Theology. You can follow him on Twitter at @jjcassidy.