Ultimate Authority and "Hate Crimes"

A Biblical & Exegetical Response to “Hate Crimes Legislation”

Purpose: This document is by design a statement of Covenant Obedience. Orthodox Christian Theism regards Scripture, The Bible (66 Books), as the Supreme Authority. This Authority is transcendent and universal, applying in every geographic locale and every culture (Ps. 47). The Bible is the final arbiter of faith and conduct (1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12); cf. the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978, http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html . When there is conflict between Civil authority and the clear expressions of Scripture, Christians will honor Christ and obey Him (Acts 4:18-20). This posture has been the testimony of believers throughout history (Stephen, Acts 7; Paul, 2 Cor. 6; various unnamed saints, Heb. 11:35-38).

Context: Recent legislative initiatives in Washington D.C. (H.B. 1913) and at the United Nations have identified the clear declarations of Scripture as “Hate Speech”. Jesus Christ stated without ambiguity or apology that he came to ‘testify to the Truth’ (John 18:37). In that statement he also states that all who embrace this Truth ‘listen’ (πᾶς ὁ ὢν ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἀκούει μου τῆς φωνῆς.) to him.

Thesis: Applying the assumptions stated above, it is not ‘hate’, but the purest form of love and compassion, to declare with uncompromised consistency the propositional statements of Scripture. This applies to all moral and social issues as addressed by the text of Scripture. God, not civil magistrates, determines what is sin. History is populated by humble and courageous people who understood and lived according to this proposition.

Therefore, when conduct and lifestyles are characterized as sinful by Scripture, Christians are obligated by their Covenant relationship to Jesus Christ as LORD to declare this with compassion and in love to those persons practicing such aberrant and sinful behavior. This is not done out of hate, but love. The consequences of such behavior are horrific and eternal (Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:6-8).

Conclusion: Persons who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ are obligated by that Covenant relationship to honor Him above all other authorities. Christians desire to live peacefully and strive to be good citizens of whatever country in which they may reside. However, when civil authority adopts legislation, postulates or laws, that are in conflict with God’s Law, we must obey God. We rely upon our God as the Sovereign of the universe to accomplish his purpose through our obedience.

We say with Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, “We cannot do otherwise. Here we stand. God help us! Amen”


(The following links take the reader to data on the Hate Crimes Initiatives.)

http://caymanpei.blogspot.com/2009/10/un-resolution-to-outlaw-hate-speech.html

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat37.htm