KIM DAVIS AND GOD'S AUTHORITY

Until recently few people knew of Rowan County, Kentucky. Fewer still knew anything about County Clerk Kim Davis. However, since the Supreme Court Decision ruling for same-sex marriage Davis has been thrust into the spotlight for refusing to issue marriage licenses to citizens (See story here).

Today, a video was released of a contentious situation in the clerk’s office where Davis once again refused to issue marriage licenses. She cited “God’s authority” for her refusal to do so. Davis’ supporters believe they “have to stand before God, which has higher authority than the Supreme Court.” And this is precisely where the problem lies.

Davis appeals to God’s authority as the basis for her opposition to the government’s decision regarding same-sex marriage, while, at the same time, she leverages her governmental authority to deny other’s their rights.

To be clear, the government has not required Davis to agree with or affirm same-sex marriage. She has not had to sign a position paper or issue a formal statement of approval of the Supreme Court decision. If she is not willing to do what the law requires of her, then perhaps she should heed the advice given her today (which can be heard on the video). A gay couple at the counter requesting a marriage license said to Davis, “If your beliefs mean that much to you, resign.” They offer good advice.

Because Davis believes the Supreme Court decision flies directly in the face of God it may be good for her to ask, “Should I continue to be employed by and receive my salary from a government that stands in direct opposition to my religious beliefs?” Resignation may well be a good answer to that question.

Some may be quick to argue that remaining in the position of county clerk allows Davis to exercise the greatest influence. John Howard Yoder points out that this is not entirely true. In his book The Politics of Jesus he argues:

“[There is] the assumption that the forces which really determine the march of history are in the hands of leaders of the armies and the markets, in such measure that if Christians are to contribute to the renewal of society they will need to seek, like everyone else - in fact in competition with everyone else - to become in their turn lords of the state and of the economy, so as to use that power toward the ends they consider desirable” (The Politics of Jesus, page 153).

While Davis appeals to God for her beliefs, it seems she believes government is a greater, or perhaps more practical, power when it comes to opposing same-sex marriage. She has chosen to use her governmental position toward the ends she considers desirable. She has chosen to stand against others from a place of political power. And it is in that very place that Davis, and many who support her, seem off point.

Too often we believe taking a stand for our particular agenda from a place of power is the best way forward. And when we do this we miss the heart of God found in the practice of Jesus.

Jesus, to whom all authority was given, came from a place of meekness, lowliness, humility and weakness. His approach to all people was always from a place of compassion and mercy. We never see Jesus take a stand for his agenda under the banner of God’s authority. Rather, he chose to serve every person who desired to be served without demanding anything of them.

Jesus puts the God's authority on display in flesh and bone for all of us to see, yet so many of us miss it. It’s safe to say when a person uses his or her position of power to force religious belief on others it is not the way of Jesus. Jesus never exercised his power over anyone, and instructed his disciples never to do that. Instead he instructed them to act as servants and slaves (Matthew 20:24-28).

In doing this we quickly learn what we oppose are not “issues” to be resolved or “problems” to be fixed, but men and women made in the image of the Almighty God who, as it turns out, are very much like us – needing and wanting to be loved and served.

If we are to take Jesus seriously, then our first question when it comes to others is to ask, “How can I serve them? What would it look like to be their slave?” And, like Jesus, we ought to be willing to do anything, including giving our life for them. This makes it hard to serve others while leveraging political power for one’s agenda, doesn’t it?

One thing is for sure, Davis is asserting someone’s authority, but it certainly doesn’t look like God’s.