FAIRVIEW TWP — Pastor John Pistorius of Christ's Family Church, 334 W. Slippery Rock St., has written a book that is relevant in these times of legal fights over mask and vaccination mandates.

The book, “No Authority Except From God,” is an examination of biblical boundaries of obedience and submission to worldly authorities.

Pistorius said the self-published book came out in October to “no fanfare or applause.”

The book grew out of an Independence Day message Pistorius delivered on July 4, 2012.

He said he was bothered by some people's misuse of the Romans 13 verse in the Bible that begins “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

The fact that some argue Romans 13 means complete obedience to human authorities, Pistorius writes, “I knew in my heart this idea was wrong.”

“There were scores of messages that I delivered from the pulpit,” he said on the topic.

“I never saw all this material in one place. I thought it might be a book,” Pistorius said.

He began to work on the book on and off for years when he could find time away from his duties as pastor of Christ's Family Church and his work with the Petroleum Valley Food Cupboard.

He said his book contains historical references, biblical examples and personal experience on the boundaries of submission to authority.

His writing, he said, was prompted by both his original message in 2012 and more recent circumstances.

He argues people have an obligation to oppose church or civil authorities when they contravene God's will.

“The Bible gives very clear examples. Jesus himself withstood the religious authorities of that time and so did his apostles,” he said.

There is no authority except from God, Pistorius argues in his book. The authorities that exist were appointed by God.

Michael Jewart, a partner with Zender and Associates, 130 E. Jefferson St., who practices criminal law, said he hasn't seen this answering to a higher power defense used in criminal cases in Butler County.

“But with the political climate, that may be coming,” said Jewart.

Pistorius insists its just a coincidence his book was published as debates were heating up about whether federal and state governments were overreaching their authority by mandating vaccinations and mask wearing.

“That's God's timing, not mine. I could not foresee that,” he said.

For himself, he said he's not opposed to people being vaccinated or wearing masks if they choose to. He's against people being forced to do either action.

He also says he has reservations about any government deciding whether someone truly has deeply held religious beliefs against either taking a vaccine or donning a mask.

“I can't judge whether your beliefs are sincere or not. I don't want people deciding what is a sincere religious belief,” Pistorius said.

The gist of his book is that Christians have the obligation to obey God above any human authorities.

“There's coming a one-world order that will demand worship and demand everyone receive a mark.

“You can't buy or sell without one,” he said.

When this will happen, Pistorius said, “No man knows the day or the hour. I don't presume to know whether we are in that time, but we are approaching it.”

“No Authority Except From God” is available online.