Law and Grace (22) Political Theory

This discussion about the role of the Old Testament law will seem irrelevant to many Christians. However, for those with an interest in political and economic issues, it is really important. When it comes to economics and government, the scriptures look backwards.

The New Testament has very little to say about government and systems of justice. There is plenty of teaching about what is just and injustice, but there is no guidance about a system of judgement. Paul subversively implied that Caesar is a usurper, by declaring that Jesus is Lord, but he did not offer an alternative system of government. Jesus announced judgment on the leaders collaborating with Rome. They will be swept away, but Jesus was silent about what would replace them.

Some Christians assume that in Romans 13:1, Paul was providing a treatise on political theory in one verse. That is not true. Paul was referring back to the justice system that God gave to Moses, by referencing Deuteronomy 17:9 and 19:17. When Jesus said to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, he was not outlining a new political theology. He was reminding the people that God had brought them out from under the Pharaoh and given them a new system of justice that operated through law and local judges.
The prophets made many declarations about justice and injustice. They described the evils of the kings on Israel and Judah. However, the prophets do not describe an alternative justice system.

The New Testament letters, the gospels and the prophets all point back to the system of justice and the system of defence that God gave to Moses. When the impostors are swept away, they should be replaced by God’s system of justice, and God’s system of defence, not some human concoction. Anyone who is interested in political theory and justice must study the Torah and gain an understanding of the perfect system of justice and self-government that God gave announced to Moses.