What is the Biblical perspective of government in our Christian world view?
Discussion question for May 1, 2009
What should be our role in government today, as Christians? How should we respond to political and legal authority? What actions or attitudes are appropriate when our Christian values are in conflict with those of the government?
Here’s my summary from our discussion.
The role of government is to provide law and order.
The law defines what is right and wrong by establishing a legal system. In that way it is responsible for the official morality of the citizens. The Israelites had the law as given by God through Moses. Understanding and applying the truth of the law was done through him as the leader. Ultimately he learned to delegate part of this task to other trusted people. Then came the time of the Judges, Prophets and Kings. The law has to do with ideologies and beliefs.
The order part of “law and order” has to do with behavioral matters. It is the authority that oversees and maintains the law. Government is granted the authority to make decisions and act accordingly for the sake of keeping the law. It is also granted authority to institute actions and responses for the citizens to improve their life, increase their understanding of the law, and to provide protection (punish evil).
An historical risk with any government it that it accepts responsibility for the citizens, and the citizens relinquish their rights to take on the role of victim. This often seems like the path of least resistance. It leads to a cycle of tolerance (on behalf of the citizens) until something triggers a backlash.
The Bible is clear on the Christian’s role toward government. We are to be under authority. 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1-3 are clear that God comes first and our government after that. When the law (moral code) of the land deviates from the law (absolute truth) of God there is conflict.
Government is our label for the concept and process of law and order. Politics is our label for the method through which we as Christians are able to influence our government.
As Christian citizens we have the responsibility to defend and promote the truth. We also have the responsibility to be participants in the process and not victims of it. To do this we must:
1. Act according to our giftedness.
2. Act according to the character of God (absolute truth).
3. Multiply our efforts through discipleship and encouragement.
4. Change hearts, not just the process.
5. Be in a constant state of readiness to influence our culture.
Next time we’ll discuss more about how to be in a constant state of readiness.