Dear Paul

Dear Paul,

     First, let me say I am a huge fan of your books. I have read all of them many times and find new inspiration with each reading, but I have a few suggested edits for the book of Romans, chapter 13. For instance, verse one tells everyone to be subject to the governing authorities. Americans are going to have a problem with that right off the bat. Our nation was founded on rebellion, and we like to keep that option on the table. I recommend using the qualifier "worthy" for the authorities. That would give us some wiggle room to resist authority we don't approve of, or feel God would not approve of. That sounds spiritual, right? We would still respect some authorities, but have a loophole that allows us to keep our beloved tradition of ridiculing and complaining about the rest. And instead of saying the authorities that exist are established by God, how about "permitted" by God. That lets God off the hook for bad leaders and bad laws.
    You would need to omit verse two, equating rebelling against authority to rebelling against God, entirely. Verse three could be salvaged by inserting the word "if" before rulers hold no terror for those who do right. In verse four, about authorities being God's servants for our good, you would only need to put parentheses like this around (God's) to make the idea more palatable. And verse five could be easily fixed by exchanging the word "necessary" for "recommended" to submit to authority. Our consciences will be just fine with a little rebellion. Most of us pay taxes, so you can leave verse six as it is.
    Actually, all the Bible verses about submission are hard for us, so leaving out political and civil leaders would be a big help. I know you were imprisoned, beaten and shipwrecked multiple times, not to mention stoned, but we are being told to wear masks, and those can be hot and stuffy. Frankly, I am shocked that you wrote what you did when Nero ruled Rome. Being subject to someone who burned Christians like torches shows a surprising lack of moral expectations for those you choose submit to. Perhaps you should forward this letter to Peter, who expressed this same misguided attitude toward submitting to human authorities in his book.
   In closing, let me reiterate that I am a committed fan and follower, and look forward to reading the revised version of Romans 13. I would like to show it to our pastor, who seems as mixed up as you and Peter about being subject to authority.

                                    Sincerely In Christ,


                                             Connie Lamb