Yesterday, I had a somewhat cheeky post on Facebook regarding the establishment of authority. Here’s what I posted:

Unpopular opinion: Christians only like Romans 13:1 when their preferred candidate “wins”. “Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God.” (Romans 13:1, CEB)

Those who know me best understand that this really was a dig at some of the erratic and desperate posts and pleas revolving around the most recent election.

Far too many Christians are quick to denounce God’s role in establishing authority when their preferred candidate does not win. Many of us will only claim “God’s will” when it conveniently aligns with “my will”.

I think back to how hateful and nasty many of the comments were surrounding President Bush’s election. They were shameful and disgusting. Some progressive Christians went so far as to call this man, who attended a Methodist church, quotes Scripture, publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ, the “anti-Christ.”

I think back to the hateful and downright nasty rhetoric that surrounded President Obama’s election. It was shameful and disgusting. Some conservative evangelical Christians went so far to call this man, who attended church, quoted Scripture, sang “Amazing Grace”, and publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ, the “anti-Christ”.

I think back to how hateful and nasty many of the comments were surrounding President Trump’s election. They too were shameful and disgusting. Some progressive Christians went so far to call this man, who attends church for photo ops, misquotes Scripture, calls people childish names, publicly proclaims that he does not need to seek forgiveness, the “anti-Christ”.

I think of how hateful and nasty many of the comments have been surrounding President-Elect Biden’s election. They have been shameful and disgusting. Some Christians have gone so far to call this man, who regularly attends mass, quotes Scripture, and calls for unity, the “anti-Christ”.

I’m guessing you can see that Christians have a tendency to only believe God appoints leaders when they happen to align with our preferred political agenda.

If I’m a Republican and a Republican is elected, well, that’s God’s doing. If I’m a Republican and a Democrat is elected, well, God must be weeping.

If I’m a Democrat and a Democrat is elected, well, God has intervened! If I’m a Democrat and a Republican is elected, well, God must have forsaken us.

For some reason, we seem to only claim God’s favor and interaction when it is conveniently aligned with our preferences.

And, because I am totally immature…whenever I hear the word “authority”, I think about Eric Cartman…