The Ever Expanding Civil Government: A Biblical Perspective

Supreme Court

Christians sometimes shy away from discussing the role of government – particularly in sermons, Bible classes, and religious articles. I believe this is because many are afraid of crossing the line between Bible teaching and political debate. But the Bible has much to say on this topic and it would be foolish to ignore it, particularly at this time in our society.

The role and expansion of government is a hot topic in our country today. The government has been expanding and broadening its role for years and has quickened its pace of late. As Christians, what should we make of this? Should this cause us to be concerned, or should we look favorably upon this? The word of God helps answer these questions for us. As disciples of Christ, our attitude toward and expectations of civil government must be Biblically correct.

The Origins of Civil Government

A common idea among God’s people is that God created the institution of civil government. This is not accurate. Civil government was first instituted by man. Since man chose it, God then ordained it to fulfill His purpose (Romans 13:1).

Civil government had its beginning during the patriarchal age with Nimrod who “became a mighty one on the earth” and established a kingdom in the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:8-10). During this time of the patriarchs, God was the head over each family. In establishing his kingdom, Nimrod supplanted God and ruled over the people. The beginnings of civil government were not by God’s institution, but came as a result of man’s rebellion against God.

This theme is continued throughout the Old Testament. The descendants of Abraham were ruled by God Himself. When they came into the promised land, they were to destroy the inhabitants of the land. They were not to make any treaty or intermarry with them. They were to be a separate people (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). Some time later after they had conquered the land of Canaan, they demanded a king, patterned after the governments of the nations around them. This was seen as a rejection of God’s rule over them (1 Samuel 8:7).

While we are not under the same covenant today (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:8), it is important to remember the point contained in these passages. Individuals and governments should not go beyond what God allows in ruling over others. Also, citizens or subjects of a government should not hope for or advocate a greater work for their government than God ordained when such is contrary to God’s will.

The Role of Civil Government

For God’s people in the Old Testament, government and religion were tied together. It is not this way today. In the New Testament, God has ordained civil government with a very limited role. He has given civil government the purpose of punishing evildoers and protecting the innocent (Romans 13:3-4). It is also “good and acceptable in the sight of God” for the governing authorities to provide and maintain a secure environment where the citizens are free to serve the Lord and spread the gospel while leading a “tranquil and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:2-3).

Interestingly, there is nothing about God ordaining civil authorities to provide for people’s health care, welfare, education, financial security, etc. There is much disagreement about the value of government involving itself in these things. But if government has been given a role in these areas, it was not by God’s design but man’s. Whether or not we agree with the human wisdom behind the additional, man-ordained works of civil government, we should all agree that God expects certain things of our leaders and those things should take precedence over all others.

Expanding the Role of Government

Many people, even some Christians, want civil government to have a far greater role than what the New Testament outlines. There are many who look to our government to define what marriage is, regulate the economy, help the poor, provide health care, etc. While it is true that we must live under whatever government exists, as Christians we must be careful what policies we try to advance and promote.

God did not ordain government as His benevolent agency. He did not give the civil authorities the role of being a provider of health care. These are not political statements. They are Biblical ones. Sure, we see governments around the world do these and similar things to varying degrees; but it is not by God’s design or direction. Therefore, as Christians, we ought to be hesitant to call for or support such things.

Many seem to have the idea that we cannot have health care, welfare, education, financial security, or other similar things without the government providing them. This is dangerous. We need to trust in God, His plan, and what He has revealed (Proverbs 3:5); not in a system that has been constructed and then corrupted by man.

The Danger in Putting Our Trust in Government

The Bible gives reasons why it is dangerous to trust in and rely upon the civil government for things beyond what God left for them to do. The first is that by trusting in and relying upon government, we are putting our trust in something that will fail. Some believe that the bigger government becomes, the better job they will do. But the wise man observed the opposite: “If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over him” (Ecclesiastes 5:8). As bureaucracy expands, poverty and injustice will continue to exist. Jesus affirmed as much: “You always have the poor with you” (Matthew 26:11). Despite all of this country’s programs to help the poor and to eliminate poverty, Jesus’ words are still just as true. One can look at the government agencies that attempt to do things beyond God’s purpose for government, see their poor performance and/or financial unsustainability, and recognize the truth in the wise man’s words.

Another danger when people learn to rely upon government is that they fail to do what they are responsible to do. Why work when the government will send you welfare? Why prepare for hardships or catastrophes when the government is there to bail you out? Why save what you need for retirement when the government promises to provide for you? We are told to work to provide for ourselves and our families (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica that in order to “not be a burden” to them, he “kept working night and day” to provide an example for them (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). The apostle’s example is that if we are able, we should provide for ourselves without needing help from others. But this is not just for our benefit. We are also to work so that we can “share with one who has need” (Ephesians 4:26; cf. Galatians 6:10; Acts 11:29-30).

A final warning we have in the New Testament is that when people learn to rely upon government, it opens the door for deifying the officials who provide for them. During one of Herod’s public appearances, the people cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22). The Lord immediately punished Herod “because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23). Why did the people speak of Herod as if he were a god? It is important to remember the relationship between Herod and the people – “their country was fed by the king’s country” (Acts 12:20). Herod and his government had become their provider and sustainer. The people looked to him for food, rather than to God and His providence.

As government expands and provides more and more services beyond the role that God has ordained for it, we will see more people depart from God’s plan and view government officials as being gods – the givers of all good things and the ones who sustain our lives here. They place their hope and faith in the civil leaders, rather than in God who is over all.

Conclusion

God is our ruler. Christ is our King. We obey the civil authorities only so far as the Lord allows us to submit to them. We should remember what we are and are not to look for from the government. Christians would do well not to forget these things.


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Comments

  1. Eva Sochor says

    I appreciate this analysis.

  2. Eva Sochor says

    Interesting that the role of civil government legitimized in the New Testament is being watered down and eroded today — protecting the innocent (the unborn, e.g.) and providing a secure environment (weakening the scope of national security, e.g.).

  3. The bible is useful for salvation and righteousness and our relationship with God. Anything else is outside of the scope of the bible. If you want to study the role of the government, go get a political science degree.

    “The Bible tells us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.” Galileo

  4. Jeremy, a political science degree is good for learning what man has to say about the role of government. But you can’t ignore the fact that the Bible speaks of the God-ordained role of civil government. My point is that in all things, politics included, we should focus on what God directs instead of what man desires.

  5. Where, in the New Testament, do we get any indication whatsoever that the nature of governance is of concern to the Christian?

    Romans 13:1-7 is descriptive, not proscriptive. It is not sufficient to provide a complete model of governance. It is illuminating that every time anyone has ever attempted to set up a government under “Christian” ideals, they always end up relying more on the OT than the NT. That’s because God’s pre-eminent concern in the NT is the Kingdom of Christ, and not the various forms of governance of man. Any form of earthly governance is going to find immediate challenges with the New Testament when they would presume to defend themselves.

    The Bible tells us to place our faith and trust in God (Matthew 6:33). If we place our trust in governments OR corporations or benevolent organizations or any construct of man, we’re misplacing our trust. That is why a Christian can live under any form of government using any form of system.

  6. I feel compelled to clarify something: the point of the above is not to say that “big government” is any more “Biblical” than “small government.” If one believes that smaller government is the best way for government to function, well and good. But to say that such is the “Biblical” view of the government goes way too far.

    According to the New Testament, there is no “Biblical” view of government, if by that statement one is seeking to discover the way that a government should operate. All passages in the NT regarding government involve the Christian’s relationship to government, and not about the way government should be run.

  7. ELDV, when I speak of the “Biblical” view of government, I simply mean the role God has ordained for civil government. When we look to the New Testament, we see a very limited role ordained by God – punish evildoers, protect the innocent, provide and maintain a secure environment. Anything more goes beyond what God ordained.

    Now, does that matter? For the non-Christian, no. It doesn’t matter. If it mattered to them what God thought, they would likely become Christians. Civil governments are ruled by men and they operate them as they please. They may choose to do what God ordained government to do, or not. They may also choose to more, according to their own desires.

    Does this matter for the Christian? Yes and no. You are correct that a Christian can live under any form of government. We should put our complete trust in God, regardless of what the civil authorities choose to do. In this sense, no, it doesn’t matter to the Christian what role the government chooses for itself. Our primary concern is serving God.

    On the other hand, there is a sense in which it does matter to the Christian. Understanding the limited scope of what God has ordained for government, how can a Christian call for government to do anything beyond that role? Sure, in many cases, the government is going to go beyond the limited role we see discussed in the New Testament. But it is not the Christian’s place to advocate or promote it.

  8. To ELDV and Andy: Romans 13:5 and 1 Peter 2:13 are helpful on this point. Paul said, “Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” Peter tells us to “submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” We must comply with civil authority insofar as it does not conflict with God’s authority.

    Of course, the present monstrosity that we call “government” in the US today, far exceeds the boundaries of Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. Government has become the god of many. The Romans had their “Caesars,” who were regarded as divine, and we now have “the anointed one,” Barack Obama. Too many Americans (and illegals) look to their god-government for their daily bread and over-all well-being.

  9. I hate to be a voice of dissent on this one. However, I do disagree. First, I think this article begins with a false premise about Nimrod and then moves forward incorrectly after that. The text tells us Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord. The implication is that he was approved by God not that he went beyond what God wanted. The fact is just as we don’t really know why Cain’s sacrifice was wrong, we don’t know what God told Nimrod or didn’t. The text simply doesn’t say whether Nimrod was right or wrong.

    Then regarding the king of Israel: No doubt, the people were wrong in their motivation. However, God had said long before that happened that they would have a king. It was part of His plan to prepare the way for the ultimate king–Genesis 49:10.

    The New Testament was not written to govern earthly governments. It neither outlines what is a good government nor describes what is a bad government. Interestingly, the Old Testament law did provide law that was about benevolence for the poor and about healthcare to the degree that they could do it. Additionally, it was the Egyptian government whose welfare for the people provided protection for Israel’s family. It was the Israelite government that protected the people who had gotten in major debt during Nehemiah’s day.

    I also think it is important to note that the Romans and Peter passages are not written to tell the government the scope of its work, but to tell us to submit to our government. It was written during a time when government was not at all fulfilling the supposed biblical scope. Further, I can’t help but notice that not once does the scripture tell Christians what to support politically or what to vote for or against. The only thing it tells us to do is to pray for our leaders that we may have peace (I Timothy 2:1ff). Please note that passage is not written to provide a scope for the government but to tell us as individuals what to do.

    Frankly, I’m all for small government. I’m opposed to nationalized healthcare and bailouts. However, I’m also opposed to Christians acting like God has told us how to vote or has outlined what is the proper form of government. I’m opposed to Christians on either side acting like the way we vote is an indication of how good of a Christian we are. All God has explained is how we are to act no matter what government we are under, monarchy, communism, democracy or whatever.

    Is it a problem if we put our trust in government and not God? Of course. But the fact that we can do that doesn’t make the government providing for us a sin. Is it wrong for our company to buy us insurance because we might put our trust in our boss instead of God? No. Is it wrong for us to have money because we might put our trust in money instead of God? No.

    Is it wrong to deify our emperor or president? Of course. But that doesn’t make it wrong to have one.

    I simply encourage all of us not to start making rules where God hasn’t and drawing lines where God doesn’t. Let’s not make political matters a determination of spirituality when God left that completely out of His word with the exception of the fact that we were to submit to whichever one He has established over us.

  10. The purpose of this article was simply to remind Christians of the God-ordained role of civil government. The New Testament most certainly speaks to this. We see that God ordained civil authorities to punish evildoers, protect the innocent, and provide and maintain and secure environment for its citizens.

    Obviously rulers in this country and around the world have gone far beyond that. This is not surprising. Man has a long history of going beyond the scope that God has given him in all matters about which He has revealed His will. This will undoubtedly continue. Even many of the proponents of “small government” in this country want to extend the role that God ordained. Since Christ didn’t come to establish a new physical kingdom separate from all others, Christians should be subject to the government over them (big or small) to the degree that God allows.

    This article is meant to be a word of caution. There are dangers that exist in going beyond the God-ordained role of government. So, as Christians who are governed ultimately by the doctrine of Christ, should we call for or support government expanding their divinely-given role? On what basis would a Christian answer “yes”?

    God revealed to us the role He gave to civil government, just as He revealed many other things. I believe this is important. God hasn’t specified a certain form of government, but He has specified a certain role. The view we have about civil government must be based on God’s word, just like every other area where God reveals His will to us.

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