Episode 1207
What Does It Really Mean to 'Submit to Authority'? Rethinking a Tricky Text | 1 Peter 2:13-17
This episode elucidates the profound significance of context in interpreting biblical scripture, specifically focusing on a passage from 1 Peter 2. We delve into the notion that the text, often misappropriated to justify oppression, is fundamentally a pastoral guide for a beleaguered community under persecution. We emphasize that true freedom, as articulated by Peter, is not a mere license to act on personal whims but rather a call to responsibility and service to others. Furthermore, we advocate for the radical ethic of respect, urging listeners to honor the humanity of all individuals, regardless of differing beliefs or backgrounds. By engaging in actions that exemplify this respect, we can embody the teachings of love and community, even in a climate fraught with division.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of context when interpreting biblical scripture, particularly regarding 1st Peter 2, which addresses a vulnerable community.
- It is highlighted that freedom should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a mere license for indulgence or self-interest in our actions.
- Listeners are encouraged to practice respect towards individuals with whom they disagree, fostering a culture of honor amid division.
- The discussion points out the historical misuse of biblical texts to justify oppression, underscoring the need for a progressive understanding of scripture.
- The podcast advocates for a communal approach to faith, encouraging listeners to show kindness and respect to all, regardless of differences.
- Finally, the aim of the podcast is to spread the audible word of God to millions, promoting a progressive and inclusive interpretation of biblical teachings.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Hello, my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
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Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B: ,: Speaker B:Respect the authorities, whatever their level.
Speaker B:They are God's emissaries for keeping order.
Speaker B:It is God's will that by doing good you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society.
Speaker B:Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.
Speaker B:Treat everyone you meet with dignity.
Speaker B:Love your spiritual family.
Speaker B:Revere God.
Speaker B:Respect the government.
Speaker B:Well, my friends, there's a lot of big concepts, a lot of big words here.
Speaker B:Hard words even.
Speaker B:So let's talk about them in a couple of points to ponder about this passage from 1st Peter 2.
Speaker B:First point to ponder is this context isn't optional.
Speaker B:It's everything.
Speaker B:I feel strongly about this, about the entire reading of the Bible because so many things are taken out of context.
Speaker B:So it's important that we understand that context is the framework of how we understand all of scripture.
Speaker B:So in understanding this particular scripture from Peter, Peter isn't writing to people in power.
Speaker B:He's writing to a tiny, vulnerable community, a minority community living under the thumb of the Roman Empire, an empire that could and often did kill Christians for sport.
Speaker B:You know, that's what the coliseum, that's what throwing the Christians to the lions was all about.
Speaker B:So this is survival literature.
Speaker B:It's pastoral advice to a persecuted community about how not to get crushed.
Speaker B:So here's where a progressive reading of this passage becomes important.
Speaker B:For centuries, this text has been weaponized, used to justify slavery, used to silence women, used to tell oppressed people, shut up and take it.
Speaker B:Oh, man.
Speaker B:This is not what Peter was doing.
Speaker B:Peter was saying, hey, be smart.
Speaker B:Keep your heads down.
Speaker B:Keep doing Good and let your lives do the preaching.
Speaker B:This is not and never has been a blank check for government to do whatever it wants to abuse people.
Speaker B:The same Peter who wrote this also stood before authorities in Acts 5 and said, we must obey God rather than human beings.
Speaker B:So when, quote, submit to authority, close quote bumps up against quote, love your neighbor, love wins.
Speaker B:Love wins every single time.
Speaker B:So context isn't a loophole that so many use it for.
Speaker B:It's the whole game.
Speaker B:Point de ponder number two.
Speaker B:Freedom isn't a license, it's responsibility.
Speaker B:Look at this verse.
Speaker B:Verse 16.
Speaker B:Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil.
Speaker B:Oh man, love that one.
Speaker B:Oh, that's kind of a punch to the gut, isn't it?
Speaker B:Because we love to talk about freedom in our culture.
Speaker B:You know, my freedom, my rights, my preferences.
Speaker B:But Peter is saying real freedom isn't about doing what just would do what you want to do.
Speaker B:Real freedom is about being free to love, free to serve, free to do good, even when no one's making you the center of attention.
Speaker B:I think sometimes about the folks I interview in my cancer related podcast.
Speaker B:They are oftentimes people have reason to be bitter and upset, to turn inward and kind of do the poor me thing or say kind of the world owes me this, you know.
Speaker B:Instead, many of them kind of have a sense of freedom, kind of limited in a way by their physical health situations, but they have the freedom to bless others around them, to maybe crack a joke in the cancer infusion center or the text, a friend who's struggling.
Speaker B:There's freedom and there's purposefulness in this.
Speaker B:And that's the kind of freedom Peter is talking about here.
Speaker B:And in the end of this passage, it says, show people, show proper respect to everyone.
Speaker B:Oh my goodness, this is so important because we live in such a time when there's so much disrespect, respect going on.
Speaker B:It says everyone, not just the select ones, not just ones who look like us, who speak our language or from our own nationality, religious background.
Speaker B:Everyone.
Speaker B:Not just the people you agree with politically, socially, culturally, not just people who vote like you or worship like you.
Speaker B:There's a radical ethic in this scripture.
Speaker B:It fits our time and place.
Speaker B:It goes back to biblical times.
Speaker B:It goes back to the world we live in right now.
Speaker B:Here's your action step.
Speaker B:Practice respect across a dividing line.
Speaker B:Think of somebody you disagree with.
Speaker B:Put it in your mind's eye right now.
Speaker B:Somebody you disagree with culturally or religiously or for similar thing.
Speaker B:Maybe a co worker, maybe somebody you go to church with or maybe someone you just encountered or you just they kind of make your skin crawl a little bit and do one small act of genuine respect.
Speaker B:Listen without trying to think about a rebuttal to what they say, ask a real question, speak of them kindly even when they're not in the room.
Speaker B:You don't have to agree with someone to honor their humanity in a world that's forgotten how to do that, honor humanity.
Speaker B:That's kind of countercultural.
Speaker B:So do it.
Speaker B:Well, we're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker B:I just want to encourage you to go over to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com and pick up our free gift that we have for you.
Speaker B:It's a daily Bible.
Speaker B:It's a daily at home Bible study practice called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker B:Free to you voiceofgoddaily.com all right, let's pray.
Speaker B:God help me use my freedom to love well, respect widely and do good quietly, especially toward the people I find hardest to see as family.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: ionaires, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily gift, Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
