What government does God endorse?

[Tri Unity]

“There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1)

As there are many who hold very strong opinions that christians should be involved with politics and war… I ask then... what sort of government should a Christian be part of? An atheistic government? A fascist government? A pagan government? Does God endorse any government? Does God endorse democracy or monarchy? Does God endorse fascism, paganism; nazism or elitism? Is God a capitalist or a communist? Does God endorse theocracies of Islam and Buddhism? Should we be involved in these governments?

Since there is “no power but of God”, what government do we say that God endorses? Which government should Christians vote for? or kill for? Should Christians fight to overthrow a corrupt government? Should Christians fight to change a government? Does a Christians who votes for a government share in the sins of that government?

Any of these questions deal with the overall question of ‘which government does God endorse?'

Tri

 

[Classik]

Only one government, the Government of Christ - 'not the corrupt nonsense we have today'.

 

[Gordon]

I was just thinking about this the past few days too. In Acts the first Christians sold property and shared with the church. I guess in a perfect world the church would be like a second government where the needs of Christians would be met. I guess this would resemble Communism more than capitalism.

Now I guess I'll sit back and wait for the attacks. I'm a commie sympathizer.

 

[Knotical]

In a perfect world I am sure that God would only support a Theocracy; however, in our fallen world with the various types of governments that are out there most likely Christians would only fit well into a Republic, Democratic, or possibly a Monarchy type of government where Christian politicians (oxymoron, I know) would be able to be a Godly influence on public policy.

 

[Classik]

Now I guess I'll sit back and wait for the attacks. I'm a commie sympathizer.

Better re-fortify your stronghold before those attacks come hehe

 

[Drew]

“There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.†(Romans 13:1)

As there are many who hold very strong opinions that christians should be involved with politics and war…

A false "either-or". One can participate in government and yet refuse to participate in war.

“I ask then... what sort of government should a Christian be part of? An atheistic government? A fascist government? A pagan government? Does God endorse any government? Does God endorse democracy or monarchy? Does God endorse fascism, paganism; nazism or elitism? Is God a capitalist or a communist? Does God endorse theocracies of Islam and Buddhism? Should we be involved in these governments?

At one level, the answer is easy - we should seek to shape government so that it implements the Kingdom of God model Jesus taught us. I happen to believe that is best achieved through democratic approach.

“Should Christians fight to overthrow a corrupt government? Should Christians fight to change a government?

Yes and yes, but not through violence.

“Does a Christians who votes for a government share in the sins of that government?

This is a tricky question precisely because every government is going to sin. I suspect that you are implicitly making the following invalid argument:

1. All governments sin;
2. A Christian who votes for a government thereby enables that government to come to power;
3. That Christian therefore participates in that government's sin;
4. Therefore the Christian should not vote.

The obvious problem with this argument is that it overlooks the very strong possibility that to abstain from voting would lead to even more sinful behaviour on the part of goverment.

And this is quite clearly the case: if the "good" people refuse to vote, then you can be quite sure that governmental policy will be shaped by the "bad" people.

 

[Drew]

I was just thinking about this the past few days too. In Acts the first Christians sold property and shared with the church. I guess in a perfect world the church would be like a second government where the needs of Christians would be met. I guess this would resemble Communism more than capitalism.

Well, you are onto something here. Despite the awkward maneuvering of those who would argue that Jesus "kingdom of God" principles are not worthy to be implemented in the real world institutions that shape our world (the institutions of governnace), we are clearly called to do precisely that. And since unbridled capitalism is inherently exploitative (the rich and the powerful get more so, and the weak and the poor will go to the wall), it should be clear that we should advocate for a model of government that exercises some control over this unfortunate aspect of unbridled capitalism.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I tend to think the Bible doesn't support any government in particular. At least when it comes to a government that God is not directly the head of.