Police

The U.S. Constitution gives American citizens the right to speech, assembly, and protest.  We have seen these rights exercised in large ways ever since May 26 (the day after the brutal, evil death of George Floyd in Minneapolis).  But with the protests have come violence, destruction, and anarchy.  And now the protests have called for the end or the radical revamping of the nation’s police departments.

While there has been legitimacy to true Floyd protests, evil has been perpetrated on businesses, neighborhoods, individuals and on the police in some instances.  So what should we think about police?  Is the concept evil?  Are police evil?  Does God have something to say about the issue?

Romans 13:1, Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 

Points:

1. “authorities that exist are appointed by God”

God establishes governing authorities and calls citizens to be subject to them.
I Peter 2:13, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 to governors… 17 honor the king.  

2. “those who resist will bring judgment on themselves”

God promises punishment to those who fight their government (Daniel in the lion’s den, Daniel 6).  Sounds like the use of police.

3. “rulers are…terror…to evil”

Government is to be a threat to evil.  How does that happen without police?
I Peter 2:14, …as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers

4. “if you do evil, be afraid”

Those who disobey must fear their government.  Police should strike some fear.
Proverbs 24:21, My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change

5. “he does not bear the sword in vain…to execute wrath on him who practices evil”

Police carry guns in order to bring force on evildoers.
Genesis 9:6, the shedding of blood is to bring about shedding of their blood.

A large part of our problem is the theology exercised by modern day parents which is to love and be friends to one’s kids without also being their authority laying down rules and exercising loving discipline.  Parents are to enforce standards and rules always for the betterment of the home and for molding the child into a productive and joyful citizen.  Good parents are in some ways like police – see evil and firmly deal with it.

The modern church theology that God is loving, forgiving, ignoring, a friend and never firm, has also taken grip on our idea of government.  People have come to think that they can throw a tizzy with no consequences from their government, so why a need for police?  But God is clear about the government having police departments who do not carry a gun just for show.  We need police for people are bent toward evil and too often angry.  Thus there is a need for the “big stick” of police.