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Religion
See other Religion Articles

Title: On Religion: Dismantle the police?
Source: Daily Press
URL Source: https://www.vvdailypress.com/lifest ... 0/on-religion-dismantle-police
Published: Jun 20, 2020
Author: Dane Davis
Post Date: 2020-06-20 19:48:44 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 383
Comments: 4

On Religion: Dismantle the police?

The authorities that exist have been established by God.” —Romans 13:1

It’s been a wild ride these past few weeks in America.

Two weeks ago, protesters in Washington D.C. painted “Defund the Police” on a street just a few blocks from the White House.

In Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed on Memorial Day, nine of the 13 city council members publicly supported an effort to defund and dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.

And, closer to home, there has been major protest activity at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center run by GEO Group. Protesters are demanding the release of detainees. The building was tagged with graffiti. One employee was assaulted with a rock. And dozens of cars were vandalized.

Across the nation, many citizens and even some political leaders are calling for police departments to be defunded and dismantled. Honestly, when I first heard these calls for change, I thought that they sounded insane.

“Abolish the police?” I thought to myself. “Have people lost their minds?”

But the Lord prompted me to live out James 1:19: to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

I did some research and learned that those who are crying out for change inside police departments are not all asking for the same thing. Defunding, which many protesters are calling for, does not necessarily mean a complete defunding of police departments. Most are calling for police budgets to be drastically cut so money can be used for other programs like public housing, health and mental care.

Dismantling is more extreme and involves scrapping police departments to rebuild them from the ground up.

So, what does God think? Well, God’s word doesn’t come right out and say, “Thou shalt not defund and dismantle the police.” But it does teach us some very important truths about government and law enforcement that you and I need to know in order to form an educated opinion.

Human government has been established by God. Paul makes this point in Romans 13:1 as he writes, “For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

There are many different forms of government in the world today, and without a doubt, some are better than others. But the truth remains the truth: Earthly government was established by God in Genesis 9 after humanity had already demonstrated that, when left to its own devices, it would tailspin into complete lawlessness.

God has given government the authority to punish lawbreakers. In Romans 13:3-4, Paul refers “to the one in authority” as “God’s servant.” Our government leaders — including law enforcement — are God’s servants to do us good.

Honestly, some of us have a hard time believing this. The pattern of the world is to constantly criticize and slander and disrespect our government leaders and law enforcement. But that’s not God’s way. The Bible tells us that government authorities are God’s servants to do us good. But they are also God’s servants to punish lawbreakers.

God expects us to respect and honor our leaders by paying taxes and humbly submitting to their authority. Romans 13:6-7 says, “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants ... Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

One of the reasons some of us have had bad experiences with law enforcement is because we have disrespected both the laws of the land and those who enforce them. We didn’t obey the speed limit, so we got pulled over. And when we got pulled over, we copped an attitude with the officer instead of showing him respect.

Friends, respect goes a long way. If you get pulled over, show the officer respect. If he asks you to do something — whether it’s turning off your engine or stepping to the side of the road — submit to his authority.

And this exposes one of the underlying problems in our nation today: Most people have a big problem with submission. One of the reasons people struggle to submit to law enforcement’s authority is because people struggle to submit to any authority, including God’s.

You may well ask: But what about the corruption in government? And what about racist cops who abuse their authority? Well, the Bible is very clear that you and I, as his followers, are to stand up and defend those who are poor, abused or discriminated against.

I believe that Christians’ efforts to reform government and police departments in a peaceful, respectful way are admirable and necessary. But I also believe that calls to defund and dismantle police departments are shortsighted and foolish. We don’t dismantle schools when we discover a few bad teachers. We don’t dismantle Walmart or Costco because of a few bad employees.

So we shouldn’t dismantle the police because there are a few bad cops. Instead, we work together in a peaceful way to root them out while respecting and honoring the vast majority of the 800,000 law enforcement officers across our nation who serve and protect us with dignity and honor.

And if we’re serious about drastically reducing lawlessness in our nation, there’s only one foolproof solution: Jesus Christ. The best way that we can root out sin in cops, protesters, politicians, teachers and everyone else is to get people saved. The church truly is the tip of the spear when it comes to rooting out corruption and lawlessness in our nation, because we are all about introducing people to the only one who can fix all of the mess in this world.

So as our neighbors call for reform, we as Christ’s followers need to call for something much greater and lasting. We call for salvation. Jesus is the answer.

Dane Davis is the Pastor of Impact Christian Church.

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#1. To: Gatlin (#0)

Dane Davis is the Pastor of Impact Christian Church.

Clueless Laodicean pastor of a clueless Laodicean church.

The authorities that exist have been established by God.” —Romans 13:1

The authorities that exist are likewise DE-established by God.

And that is exactly what has happened.

God has been reading the articles that Deckard has posted (of police misconduct, corruption, cruelty, abuse, rape, murder), and He is very displeased. The police, who represent God to keep the peace, have instead brought shame upon Him.

And there is NO qualified immunity with God regarding those to whom He delegates His authority.

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1

[Gatlin, you dullard, instead of using your mind to write pretentious and flowery posts, try using your mind to understand God. For that is the purpose of your mind.]

watchman  posted on  2020-06-21   7:14:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: Gatlin (#0)

Interesting. There's a good summary there of what Paul has to say about the subject.

What did Jesus have to say on the subject?

Vicomte13  posted on  2020-06-21   12:19:13 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: watchman, All (#1) (Edited)

… try using your mind to understand God.

You mean, of course – “try using my mind to agree with your understanding.”

No, thank you – I will not do that.

Because, so many people read and say they understand the Bible and they do so in a thousand different ways. Always proclaiming theirs is the only morally right or justifiable way – while portraying themselves as being ever so righteously virtuous.

For you to believe that only your interpretation is correct when quoting Scripture and talking about the authority of the Word Of God raises many questions for me about you. I like to say that the only ultimate reality with you is your personal opinion. And this is especially true where “religion” is concerned. It’s “my beliefs” and “other peoples’ beliefs” against “your beliefs.” And. “mister sanctimonious know it all” – there isn’t anything solid or objective against which to measure our different viewpoints. And definitely not your personal interpretations.

I long ago came to realize there are individuals like you who can take the Bible and try to make it mean whatever they want it to mean. The words of Scripture do mean something in their own right, whatever you or I may say about them. What’s more, they can be misrepresented or misconstrued.

Gatlin […] instead of using your mind to write pretentious and flowery posts …

Yea, “instead” of – let’s go there.

Instead of you always trying to tell me what to believe – you need to just STFU and believe what you what to, while I will do likewise.

Gatlin  posted on  2020-06-22   14:01:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Gatlin (#3)

You mean, of course – “try using my mind to agree with your understanding.”

No, I didn't say or mean that at all. I meant what I said, plain and simple.

Your mind was created by God to be used to understand Him.

And yet you are bereft of even the least understanding of God. I don't think you know Him at all, or even care to.

Always proclaiming theirs is the only morally right or justifiable way

Well, somebody has to be right.

So, Gatlin, that is my admonition to anyone...get busy seeking to understand God. He is a Person after all. Proverbs 9:10 says, "To have understanding, you must know the Holy God".

while portraying themselves as being ever so righteously virtuous.

This definitely isn't me.

The words of Scripture do mean something in their own right, whatever you or I may say about them.

You sound wishy-washy to me. Nebulous. Like a flip-flopper. It's easier for you that way isn't it? The Scripture merely means "something", "whatever"...and that way you are never confronted about your self by Scripture.

But the Scripture says of itself...

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Let's see you shrug off Hebrews 4:12 as "whatever"

For you to believe that only your interpretation is correct

Let me address that. I'm very careful on this forum to stick to the basics...mainstream evangelical interpretation of Scripture. So, no, when you say "your interpretation" I generally have an interpretation that is held by solid, trustworthy Bible scholars. Unless you can think of some interpretation I've made that is otherwise...

watchman  posted on  2020-06-22   23:59:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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