Political Power

Christians often argue about what is the best political system, but this is the wrong question. Political power is always the problem, even though it takes a while to emerge.

The question we should be asking is, “Why despite their total defeat by Jesus on the cross are the spiritual powers of evil still so powerful on earth?”

The answer is that they have been able to carve out a place of authority on earth by aligning with and controlling human political powers on earth. That is why Paul said our struggle is with principalities and powers. It is a key aspect of what John was explaining in the books of Revelation. It is why Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world.

So when Christians put their trust in human political power, they are actually empowering the spiritual powers of evil that control political power. I reject all forms of participation in political power, because I am unwilling to do anything that would perpetuate the spiritual powers of evil. My full hope is in the kingdom/government of God.

I have just posted an article explaining the problems with Civil Government on Substack.

God and Law

Christians believe that God is the King of all Creation.

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth (Ps 47:11)!

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods (Ps 95:3).

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all (Ps 103:19).

The fact that God is a king means that he is very interested in the principles of government. Governing is the main role of a king. God is the king above all kings, so he must be the world’s top authority on good government.

If God is an expert on government, we would expect that he has shared his wisdom about government in the scriptures. The only place in the scriptures where he gives a full system of government is in Exodus and Deuteronomy. If we want God’s wisdom about government, we have to go back there.

The essence of government is good law. Every culture recognises the need for good laws. If God is an expert on government he must be an expert on law. He wants good government on earth, so we would expect him have revealed a good system of law to us. He is perfectly wise, so his laws will be the best laws available.

I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame (Ps 119:46).

The law of the LORD is perfect (Ps 19:7).

God’s system of perfect law is revealed in Exodus and Deuteronomy, all ready for us to use.

Modern debates about government focus on the election of governments. The emphasis is on developing a good system for writing laws. If God has already provided the best laws available, this is a waste of effort. Human legislators will always produce sub-optimal laws, so arguments about how politicians should be appointed are irrelevant. God has already given us the perfect laws that are essential for good government.

Libertarians usually begin with a non-aggression axiom, and build on that foundation. Christian libertarians do not need to go there. They can begin with God's two non-aggression laws. This provides a more solid foundation.

Perfect Government Never Annulled

God gave Israel a system of law and judges. This system of government has never been abolished, annulled or replaced. Jesus death on the cross ended the temple sacrifices. When he ascended as the great high priest, he ended the role of the priesthood. The role of judges administering God’s law has never been abolished or replaced. Jesus will return as judge at the end of the age. That will be the point at which the role of godly human judges comes to an end.

God’s ideal government is a system of law and judges. The law should be God’s law. Excellent judges will emerge as we submit our cases to wisest people. This is the best system of government. Because it was given by God, a better system will never be found. Human wisdom can never match God’s wisdom.

History of Government (5) - Prophetic Moses

Moses was not a law maker. He had a prophetic role in the giving of the law. He received the law from God and passed it on to the people. His skill was in hearing God, not in making laws.

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. (Deut 34:10,11).

The prophetic role included signs and wonders when confronting Pharaoh with God’s words. The most important aspect of this prophetic ministry was hearing God speak and the most important words that Moses received was God's law.

This is another role that was completed with Moses. God’s law is perfect, so he only had to give it once. Joshua did not have this role. Jesus said

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matt 5:18).

Many men and women succeeded Moses in the office of prophet, but they did not have the role of law giving. That was task was completed with Moses. Even Jesus did not have to change the law; he simply fulfilled some of it on our behalf.

The role of law-giver finished with Moses, and even his role was not one of law making. His task was to pass God’s law on to the people.

The role of law maker does not exist in the scriptures. All that is needed is judges to apply the law that God has given.

History of Government (1) - In the Beginning

What is the best form of government? This is a really important question. The Bible describes a number of different systems and most are condemned. We need to dig deeply to find God’s optimal form of civil government.

There was no need for government in the Garden of Eden. Everyone obeyed God, so there was no conflict. Sin had not yet entered in, so there was no theft or violence. Human government was not needed.

Once Adam and Eve sinned, crime and violence became a problem. Initially these problems were dealt with by families. Fathers are required to teach their children to obey God and live in harmony with each other. They must provide for their children and resolve disputes between them. I presume that Adam and Eve had no choice, but to send Cain away. That was his penalty for murder.

Restraining Evil

The accepted wisdom says that we need government to restrain evil. I see many statements that go something like this:

This is a sinful world. Without government, we would end up in anarchy. God instituted governments to restrain evil.

These kinds of statement usually make a nod to Romans 13, but they never do any detailed analysis of what this passage actually means and they never give much thought to what is meant by “government. Going from Romans 13 to saying that God instituted government to restrain evil is a big jump.

The reality is that kings and governments often advance evil. The Kings of Israel constantly went off the rails and led their nation into evil. I can think of plenty politicians and presidents in the twentieth century who gave evil a big hand along the way. We need to give this more thought.

The bible actually teaches that God gave the law to restrain evil.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers (1 Tim 1:8-10).

Paul lists some of the most evil categories of people he can think of; murderers, adulterers, perverts, slave traders. These are the people we want restrained. Paul’s answer is that the law is for these people, and not for their enjoyment. If God’s law is applied, the evil people we fear will be restrained.

Applying the law, needs some judicial institutions, but these could be quite different from modern governments. One thing is clear. Restraining evil does not require or justify all the paraphernalia of modern government.

God gave the law to restrain evil. If we do not start there, we may end up in the wrong place.

Do we Need the Government? (6) - Protection from Poverty

Some people believer that we need the government to care for us if we fall into poverty. Actually various options are available for people who are afraid of poverty.

• Insurance allows people to share the risk of irregular invents
• Insurance allows people choose the level of risks that they want protection from.
• Families should provide for those in poverty.
• Deacons in the church will often help those who are poor.
• Belonging to a caring community is a good option.
• Someone might feel sorry for you.

Government have put enormous resource into caring for the poor. Their efforts have tended to increase the amount of poverty in the world, so I doubt that they are a viable solution. They also take a large share of income to do something fairly ineffective, so I am not certain that this is a good reason for government.

Do we Need the Government? (4) - Protection from Thieves

A variety of options are available to those who are worried about their property being stolen.

• Giving possessions away to the poor.
• Placing all valuables in a band for security.
• Employing a personal body guard.
• Purchasing insurance against theft.
• Putting locks on all doors and gates
• Living in a community of people who are honest.

The civil government does not protect our property, because the police will only act after a theft has occurred. If they catch the thief, he will be fined, but the stolen goods will not necessarily be returned. More often the crime will be too small to justify police resources, or there will be insufficient for an arrest and prosecution.

Role of Civil Government (3)

The incarnation, cross resurrection and ascension established Jesus as king of kings, lord of lords and government of governments. All kings and governments must submit to him.

Role of Civil Government (2)

Civil Government is only legitimate if submitted to God.

No argument.

Righteous judges applying God's law to disputes is the only system of government that has God's blessing. God will only give his authorisation to governments that apply his law. A government that wants to make its own law is in rebellion against God.

Role of Civil Government (1)

There was no government in the Garden of Eden, because there were no disputes to resolve. Even after the fall, civil government was not immediately needed, because families dealt with all disputes.

The need for civil government arose when people started to live in close proximity. Civil Governments was need to resolve conflict and limit theft and violence.