Romans 13 has been used during several of human history's darkest moments, including in support of Nazi Germany.

Nazi Germany used it to justify its authoritarian rule. Proponents of Southern slavery used it to justify the buying and selling of Africans. British loyalists used it in support of quashing colonial rebellion in the 1770s.

And now U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has used it in an effort to convince Christians his policy of separating migrant families is wholesome, godly and biblical.

Romans 13 is one of the most egregious cases of proof texting – where a piece of Scripture is isolated from context and twisted to support one’s own agenda – throughout history.

It has been applied to numerous situations over the years when supposed Christians needed to justify adherence to otherwise immoral actions by the state, and Sessions has joined the club.