POSTED 22 SEPTEMBER, 2008

Will Evil Triumph?

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

As one might imagine, our recent blog postings over the past few weeks have generated a variety of responses. For the great majority, it has been helpful to get some more information about the American political process from a Biblical perspective. Most appreciate the encouragement to be informed and involved in selecting our leaders as instructed by Scripture (Deuteronomy 16:18), despite the limitations of living in a modern-day constitutional republic rather than an idyllic theocracy. Nevertheless, one particular respondent with whom I have talked has argued that not voting or voting for principle over people outweighs voting in a manner that has, at the very least, the possibility of making a difference.

While pondering his sincere arguments, I was reminded of a quote attributed to Edmund Burke, a British philosopher of the Eighteenth Century, who when observing the evil of the French Revolution purportedly stated, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” After a number of back and forth e-mails discussing and/or debating our different opinions, it was apparent to me that I was corresponding with a “good man.’ However, I also concluded that his position of not voting and/or voting for someone that does not have the remotest possibility of being elected, is synonymous with doing nothing. Hence, the title of this blog: “Will evil triumph?”

Additionally, I was also prompted to re-read Romans 13, where the Apostle Paul describes our challenge to support the authorities that govern over us, because they are ultimately established or allowed by a Sovereign God for His Divine purposes. Upon ignoring the chapter breaks that are not a part of the original epistles, I glanced at the verses prior to ch. 13 in order to see a fuller context of what Paul was addressing. Interestingly, Paul was actually acknowledging the reality of evil in the affairs of mankind, and how the people of God are supposed to overcome evil with good without taking vengeance:

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’ [Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 94:1], says the Lord. ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head’ [Proverbs 25:21]. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 12:17-13:7).

Paul is a proponent of peaceful resolutions to conflict, permitting God who is the ultimate authority, to sort things out between the forces of good and evil. Paul even advocates the wisdom of rendering to those who deserve what should be rightfully theirs—whether taxes, customs, fear, or honor.

This statement obviously reiterates the wisdom expressed by Yeshua Himself when He was confronted by some Pharisees about how to deal with the Roman taxes of First Century Judea. These Pharisees were attempting to test the teacher (rabbi) Yeshua. Was He going to remain loyal to God, or submit to the laws of the ruling government beholden to Caesar? His answer was so profound that His accusers simply departed in amazement without one recorded word of condemnation:

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?’ But Yeshua perceived their malice, and said, ‘Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.’ And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.’ And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away” (Matthew 22:15-22).

For those of us living in the Twenty-First Century, particularly in a country like the United States that allows good people to participate in the election process, the ability to follow the rules as legislated by our society should not be a problem. Given the facts that both Yeshua and Paul advocated working within the political and societal systems of their times, it is not difficult to conclude that we should do the same as exemplified by them.

Wisdom dictates that we do something that matters when it comes to exercising our right to vote. Doing something that does not matter, or worse, doing nothing—seems to challenge not only common sense, but the clear imperatives of Scripture. It almost begs the question: If Yeshua and Paul had the opportunity to vote, would they throw away their vote or would they choose the better of the two candidates that have the only chances of winning?

Obviously, both Yeshua and Paul would be considered by any standard, “good men.” I personally believe that they would do something so that goodness would at least have the possibility of triumphing over evil. As Burke reminds us, “When good men do nothing, evil has a much better chance of triumphing.”

As indicated in previous postings, informed voting is one practical thing we recommend to all Americans who have the privilege to vote for our leaders. Additionally, we are encouraging a time of fasting and praying for God’s will to be done through this election season by those good men and women who are so led.

On a spiritual plane, this is yet another “something,” rather than “nothing,” that can be done to hopefully stem the tide of evil. But no matter what the results, ultimately our Heavenly Father establishes every authority and allows different governments and leaders to rule and reign over His people. That reality was true in the First Century, and it applies even to us today in 2008.

If evil triumphs for a season, we know from our reading of the Scriptures that eventually, goodness will rule and reign from Mount Zion. The key is maintaining our faith with wisdom until that becomes a reality.

Finally, remember that even the Roman philosopher and statesman Cicero said that we all need wisdom in order to make appropriate decisions when it comes to discerning good and evil:

“The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.”

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.