Christian Responsibility to Government

by M. LeRoy Davis
(Kamloops BC Canada)

The question facing Christians of this day is the relationship between the Christian and government. A cursory review of Romans 13:1-8 indicates that one should obey and submit regardless of the actions or principles of that govermment. However, we need to take a more careful look at what Paul is saying. Also, it is important to look at a few facts of modern goverment.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and ... shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. ... do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Government is coercion which does have a function. Society would be in chaos if there were no government. God intends it to be a protection for the good and the law abiding citizen. There must be a restraining of evil. Romans 13:3 makes it clear a proper ruler is to be a terror to evil and a support that which is good. The government through it’s agencies is to execute wrath on the evil doer (vs 4). The clear implication to this is that if the governing authority does not function in this way it is not a legitimate authority.

When governing officials sit in authority they are to represent the Great King of the Universe. In this case he, as God’s representative, he (she) is there by Divine appointment and not to be resisted. The authority is to be God’s agent, obeying God’s law and applying it to society. When he (she) establishes his own law, giving his own judgment, and establishing his own sentences, it is rebellion against the King of kings.

The righteous are to feel comfort, support, and peace under the authority of proper government. When evil is restrained and righteousness reigns there is joy in the land. The righteous flourish and there is freedom and peace.

This then is the only legitimate function of civil authority. They are to protect society by delivering God's wrath to the wicked and their acts. It is reference to the punishment that is to be meted out on criminals. They are the internal threat to society. Civil authority does not have authority from God to go beyond this. When there is the faithful fulfilling of this responsibility the Christian has a duty to submit to the authority and pay the lawful taxes to help finance the government. There is no Biblical obligation to render further obedience beyond this.

It can also be said that when the governing authority ceases to do this and becomes a terror to that which is good and a rewarder of that which is evil, he has begun to bear the sword in vain. He is no longer God's minister for good, and is to be resisted as one would resist Satan himself.

Those who would say all laws are to be obeyed whether they be good or bad reflect negatively on the holiness of God. To say God will support conflicting laws is to set God against Himself. It is an affront to a holy God. He, who is the righteous and eternal judge of the world, cannot be conceived of as requiring obedience to contradictory laws.

The danger of the modern idea of totally submission to government authority is very real. In Nazi Germany, it was this view of Rom. 13:1-10 that led so many Protestant churches into "Christian Nazism" including its racial superiority and attempt to force church unity. This ignorance allowed Hitler to carry out his "Final Solution of Jewish Problem" with very little protest from the church. Men like Deitrich Bonhoeffer, courageously fought against this, but were considered rebels. Even Christians who hid the Jews were often criticized by their churches. They should be "subject " to the higher powers. I seriously doubt, if such a situation were to present itself in Canada (or USA) today, that the majority of churches would be theologically prepared to stand against such injustices. The numerous injustices that are daily perpetrated upon the citizens does not even raise a murmur among the churches today. The so called “war on terrorism” has spanned laws that violate human rights and shred the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Yet we do not hear the churches standing up and challenging these things. We just see more calls for submission. The church has truly lost its prophetic voice.

One objection is this would establish state religion. In the past this has failed. Therefore, we should learn from history and not repeat its mistakes. The objection has merit, but the mistake we should not repeat is the deviation from God's law. In the past, man set up his own law in addition to God's law. He attempted to equate his law with God's law. This brings chaos and has the same results as modern day humanistic law. Proper government will limit itself to the law of God and produce the greatest freedom for the most people.

Another objection is this would discriminate against other religions in a pluralistic society. We would answer that a pluralistic society is not a godly society. It is a mixture which in the end will destroy a nation. All law systems are religious systems. All religions seek to dominate. Every cry for equality is a cry for dominance. Currently, in our western civilization we have the religion of humanism as the dominate religion. Therefore, we have the attempts to repress other religions, particularly Christianity. I believe the Biblical teaching is that Christ is Lord of all and all are required to submit to His Lordship. Those who do not, come under the judgment of God and ultimately eternal damnation. The role of the government, which Christians are required to submit to and support, is to further His kingship. If the government does not rule by and for Him, it is not the government Paul is telling us we must submit to here in Romans 13.

The question that arises is, Can our government today be considered such a government? Is modern the Canadian or United States government a terror of evil and a comfort and protector of good works? Any sensible person looking at our society today will, of necessity, answer in the negative.

The modern state, including the government of Canada and the United States, is governed by humanistic socialism. It has made man and the state the supreme god. Whatever the ills of our society, the god of government moves to provide the need. The problem is, the more the government becomes involved the worse the problem seems to get. They can violate their own constitution and seize assets, snatch away children and leave its citizens unprotected, they are not a terror to evil but rather a terror to good. "...the more a state pursues justice outside of Christ, the more unjust it becomes."(Christianity and the State, R. J. Rushdoony pg 37)

The only persons who seem to have right these days are the criminals. The victim has little say or consideration in criminal matters. Actually a victim who defends himself may be liable for assault charges or other legal repercussions. The criminal on the other hand is defended, given sympathy and an admonition to do better in the future. Certainly, the penalty is generally very light considering the offense. The exception to this is when someone offends the government or some bureaucratic interference, then the penalty is likely to be more severe.

The justice system in North America is unreliable. One cannot be certain if a person is acquitted, that he is in fact innocent. It is perhaps, better for ten guilty people to go free than for one innocent one to be penalized. However, one cannot be certain of the guilt of a convicted person either. The issue in our courts today is winning, not guilt or innocence. When one wins or loses it is generally based on the skill of the lawyer rather than the weight of the evidence, (e.g. O.J.Simpson murder trial).

Are Christians obligated to condone the actions of our modern North American governments? Is Paul teaching in Romans we have to accept these injustices, because they are power instituted by God? It should be obvious that our governments have failed to carry out their God given mandates. In fact, in many cases, they deny any responsibility to God or His law. They have gone about establishing their own law and become a law unto themselves. They have become their own god, a false god, not worthy of worship by those who worship the true God.

Many would counter by stating there are many Christians in political and bureaucratic positions. While this is true and we should pray for them, it does not change the fact that God's law is both ignored and despised. These Christians need to begin to stand up for God's law, support His principles and work to further His kingdom in the earth. They should challenge the pagan and humanistic system in which they work. One cannot serve Jesus, by denying His supremacy, or perverting the purpose of government, or not enforcing His laws.

However, politics is the art of compromise. Bureaucracy is the art of do not rock the boat. Consequently there does not seem to be much hope of influence from within. The church needs to drop its patriotism and become confrontational demanding righteousness and justice in our society.