Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All
$5.00
Gain insight into how Christians should view and interact with government through ‘In God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Governance.’ This article offers a comprehensive biblical perspective, discussing the balance between submission to authority and the call for moral leadership, reflecting on the teachings of Romans 13 and the example of Jesus.
Illustration reflecting the Christian view of the role of government—rooted in biblical principles of justice, respect for authority, and ultimate submission to God.
Introduction
As Christians navigating a complex world, understanding the role of government in the light of Scripture is crucial. The Bible, while primarily a guide for salvation and spiritual life, also speaks to civic engagement, authority, and governance. This examination seeks to unfold a biblical perspective on how Christians should understand and interact with government, drawing from both Old and New Testament teachings.
Divine Ordination of Government: Romans 13 and other Scriptures affirm that government is ordained by God as a means to maintain order and justice. This divine ordination does not imply perfection in governmental systems but acknowledges their role in God’s sovereign plan.
The Cultural Mandate: Genesis 1 presents the cultural mandate, where humans are tasked with stewardship of the earth. This extends to building societies and governing structures that reflect God’s order and righteousness.
Jesus and Government: Jesus’ statement “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21) underscores the legitimacy of governmental authority and the Christian’s responsibility to respect it.
Submission to Authority: The apostle Paul’s instructions in Romans 13:1-7 emphasize a Christian’s duty to submit to governmental authorities as they are established by God. This submission includes paying taxes, obeying laws, and respecting leaders.
The Higher Law of God: While Christians are called to be law-abiding citizens, Acts 5:29 illustrates that obedience to God takes precedence over obedience to human authorities when the two are in conflict.
Active Engagement: Christianity endorses active civic engagement. Being ‘salt and light’ (Matthew 5:13-16) in society includes influencing governance through moral and ethical contributions.
The Role of the Church in Governance
Prophetic Voice: The church is called to be a prophetic voice in society, often challenging political structures and advocating for justice. This role is evident in historical instances where the church stood against oppressive regimes, reflecting Jesus’ advocacy for the marginalized.
Caution Against Partisanship: While engaging in political discourse, the church must avoid partisan alignments that could compromise its mission. The primary allegiance of Christians is to the kingdom of God, not to temporal political entities.
Promoting Moral Leadership: The qualities outlined in 1 Timothy 3:2 for church leaders, such as marital faithfulness, are indicative of the broader call for integrity and righteousness in all leadership, including governmental.
Challenges and Responsibilities
Navigating Imperfect Systems: Governmental systems are human and thus inherently flawed. Christians are called to navigate these imperfections, advocating for godly principles while recognizing the limitations of human governance.
Balancing Submission and Critique: While respecting governmental authority, Christians also bear the responsibility to critique and hold it accountable, especially in instances where it diverges from biblical principles.
Engagement with Humility and Wisdom: Engagement in governance should be approached with humility and wisdom, acknowledging that ultimate sovereignty belongs to God and that human efforts are secondary to His divine will.
Conclusion
In understanding the role of government, Christians are called to a balanced approach that respects authority, engages with society, and upholds biblical principles. This approach involves active participation in governance, advocacy for justice and righteousness, and a steadfast commitment to living out Christian values in the public square. As Christians, our ultimate allegiance is to God, and our engagement in governance should reflect His kingdom values, promoting peace, justice, and the common good.
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
Leave a Reply