What do you think about Christians swearing oaths, in particular to obtain a U.S. government job? I am required to take a written oath in become a substitute teacher, and I’ve hesitated. I’ve studied the material you have posted on your website, and also reached out to others for advice. In Matthew 5 Jesus says our yes should be yes—we're to be people of our word. So why must I swear to protect and defend the Constitution? Maybe in the future I could be asked to do something against God’s will. I respect the U.S. government and the Constitution. Should I sign? — K.C.
I appreciate your sensitive conscience and desire to do what’s right. As I see it, your integrity is the fundamental issue. Jesus is saying we shouldn’t need to take oaths—to swear on anything (a Bible included!)—when we’re men and women of truth. Love of country is one thing, but pledging total allegiance to any government is a form of idolatry, isn’t it? (Think of totalitarian states, where governments feel threatened by (and imprison) those who acknowledge an even higher power.
As we’re discussing Matthew 5, some interpret the Sermon on the Mount to mean we should never pray publicly, but only in a closet. Or that all divorce is wrong. Or that perhaps we should cut off a bodily member. IMO these are misreadings of our Lord’s teaching.
There is a right sort of patriotism—a love of country that is healthy, not idolatrous (like yours, if I read you correctly.) Yet it’s hard to understand why a substitute teacher would need to “defend the Constitution against all enemies”! (Is the school being attacked by foreign agents?) You also told me the document you’d sign requires you to promise not to strike. I can see how going on strike might violate the Rom 13 principle.
If it were me, I’d probably sign the document.
