Those of us who live in the United States have seen the state extend its power significantly over the past 30 years, and even more significantly so in terms of executive reach in the past 15. Since the advent of the PATRIOT Act nearly a quarter century ago, the government has found more and more ways to stick its fingers in uncomfortable places and keep them there as long as it wants.

But an overreaching authority is hardly new, and our current regime is not as novel as some might imagine, so my purpose here is not to litigate our specific circumstances. The times are evil, and the rain falls on the good and evil alike.

My intention is instead to answer an objection that is often raised when one opposes what appear to be unjust laws or expansion of government power. What about St. Paul’s teaching in Romans 13 that every person should be subject to the governing authorities?...