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What Does the Bible Say About Government? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Government?

Introduction

The importance of government cannot be overstated. Governments provide the necessary framework for society to function smoothly, enabling us to live in peace and security. In the Bible, the role of government is discussed extensively, and it is a central theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

While the Bible provides no blueprint for any specific form of government, it does lay out principles and guidelines for good governance, as well as examples of both good and bad leadership.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of early forms of government, ranging from tribal confederacies to monarchies. One of the most significant examples of early government in the Old Testament is the theocracy in Israel, where God was seen as the ultimate authority over the people.

God established laws and leaders to help the Israelites govern themselves, emphasizing the importance of justice, mercy, and humility. Throughout the Old Testament, we also see examples of prophetic critiques of government, where leaders were called out for their corruption and failure to uphold God’s values.

In the New Testament, we see a different approach to government, where Christians are called to submit to authority and respect the laws of the land. Jesus himself emphasized this point, stating that people should “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17).

However, the New Testament also emphasizes the ultimate authority of God and the importance of leadership that is grounded in love and compassion.

Both Paul and Peter offer guidance on how Christians should engage with government, emphasizing the importance of submitting to authority while also standing up for justice and righteousness.

Through these examples, we can gain a deeper understanding of what the Bible says about government and how we can apply its teachings to our lives today.

government in the Bible

Old Testament Views on Government

The Old Testament provides various views on government, including theocracy, monarchy, and prophetic critiques of the government. In the early forms of government, the father was the head of the household and clan, which was common in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Later, judges were raised up by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression. The theocracy in Israel was a unique form of government where God ruled through chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God’s law.

The monarchy in Israel began with King Saul and continued with King David and King Solomon. Although the monarchy brought stability and prosperity, it was also associated with oppression, corruption, and idolatry.

The prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, criticized the rulers and called for justice and righteousness.

The prophetic critiques of government in the Old Testament remind us that rulers must be held accountable for their actions, and justice and righteousness must be the foundation of all forms of government.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were called to obey God’s law and to maintain justice and righteousness.

The Old Testament also teaches us that government should protect the vulnerable and marginalized. For example, the Law of Moses mandated that farmers leave the edges of their fields unharvested, allowing the poor and the foreigner to glean from the crops.

The prophets called for justice for the widows, orphans, and immigrants and warned against oppressing the poor. These teachings remind us that governments must not only maintain order but also care for the most vulnerable members of society.

New Testament Views on Government

The New Testament provides additional insights into the Christian perspective on government, including Jesus’ teachings,

Paul’s teachings, and Peter’s teachings. Jesus taught his followers to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, indicating a distinction between the duties of the state and the duties of the faithful.

Paul taught that government authorities are established by God and are necessary for maintaining order and punishing evil. He exhorted his readers to submit to the governing authorities, not only because of fear but also because of conscience.

Peter also taught that Christians should submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether to the emperor or to governors.

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of love and compassion in government. Jesus taught his followers to love their neighbors as themselves, which includes caring for the needs of the poor and marginalized.

The early Christian community modeled this love and compassion by sharing their resources with one another and caring for the needy. The apostle James condemned favoritism and reminded Christians that true religion involves caring for widows and orphans.

These teachings remind us that government should maintain not only order and justice but also demonstrate love and compassion for all people.

The New Testament teaches that Christians should be good citizens, obeying the laws of the land and respecting the authorities. However, the ultimate authority of Christians is God, and they must obey God rather than men if the laws of the land conflict with God’s commands.

This is exemplified by the apostles, who continued to preach the Gospel despite the authorities’ attempts to silence them. Christians must seek to promote justice and righteousness in all aspects of society, including politics, and should use their influence to advocate for policies that align with biblical values.

IV. Principles of Government in the Bible

The Bible teaches us important principles of government that are still relevant today. The role of government is to maintain order and justice, protect citizens from harm, and promote the common good.

Leaders in government are accountable to God and must serve with integrity, upholding the principles of justice, mercy, and humility. The Bible also emphasizes the importance of leadership and accountability, warning against the dangers of corruption, abuse of power, and oppression.

The responsibility of citizens is to submit to authority, respect the laws of the land, and work for the common good. However, Christians must also resist unjust laws and advocate for reform when necessary.

The Bible also teaches us about the limits of government power. While the government has the authority to maintain order and promote justice, it is not infallible and can become corrupt or oppressive. Christians must resist when government overreaches its authority or violates human rights.

The Bible also teaches us about the importance of individual responsibility, emphasizing that each person is accountable for their actions and must seek to live in accordance with God’s will.

V. Application of Biblical Principles to Modern Government

Applying biblical principles to modern government can be challenging, given the complexities of modern society and the diversity of political views. However, Christians have a responsibility to engage with the government in a responsible and ethical manner.

This involves evaluating the role of government in contemporary society, advocating for policies that promote justice and equality, and working to hold leaders accountable for their actions. Christians should also be involved in politics, seeking to represent the values of the Gospel in the public sphere.

The relationship between church and state is also an important consideration for Christians. While the Bible emphasizes the importance of submitting to government authority,

Christians must respect the rights of others to hold different beliefs and refrain from using political power to impose their religious beliefs on others.

However, Christians can and should advocate for policies that align with biblical values, such as caring for the poor and marginalized and for freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Christians must also be aware of the dangers of political idolatry. While politics can be an important means of promoting justice and righteousness, it can also become a source of division, hatred, and idolatry.

Christians must be careful not to place their hope in political leaders or systems but rather in God, who alone can bring about lasting justice and peace.

VI. Critiques of Modern Government from a Biblical Perspective

Despite the biblical teachings on government, modern governments often fall short of these ideals. There are many examples of government overreach, corruption, and abuse of power, leading to injustice and suffering for many people.

Christians have a responsibility to critique these abuses of power and advocate for reform. This involves calling attention to issues such as poverty, discrimination, and injustice and working to hold leaders accountable for their actions.

The Bible also teaches us to care for the most vulnerable members of society, such as the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Christians should be concerned about the impact of government policies on these groups and should work to address injustices that perpetuate poverty and oppression.

The biblical call to justice and righteousness requires us to work for change rather than just treating the symptoms of injustice.

Christians must also be aware of the dangers of political tribalism, which can lead to the demonization of political opponents and the erosion of civil discourse. Christians must model Christ-like love and respect, even in the midst of political disagreements.

We must strive to build bridges rather than walls, seeking to understand and empathize with those who hold different political views.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible has much to teach us about government and the role of leaders in society. The Old and New Testaments provide valuable insights into the principles of government, emphasizing the importance of justice, righteousness, love, and compassion.

Christians have a responsibility to engage with the government in a responsible and ethical manner, seeking to promote the common good and hold leaders accountable for their actions.

The Bible teaches us about the limits of government power, reminding us that each person is accountable for their actions and must seek to live in accordance with God’s will.

Christians must also be aware of the dangers of political idolatry and tribalism, seeking to model Christ-like love and respect in all their interactions. We must work for systemic change and advocate for policies that align with biblical values, such as caring for the poor and marginalized.

Ultimately, the Bible reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, who alone can bring about lasting justice and peace.

As we engage with government and seek to promote justice and righteousness in society, let us do so with humility, compassion, and a deep awareness of our dependence on God’s grace and guidance.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.