If we consult our "manual" on matters of faith and practice, what can we find about what government God endorses? Maybe it's monarchy or anarchy, communism or socialism, democracy or federal, ecclesiastical or a dictatorship. All sorts of options (and more than I've listed). Which does the Bible prefer?
When God put together the family group of Abraham's grandson, Jacob, called "Israel," out of Egypt, He formed a theocracy. Their government was God. He laid out the laws. He laid out the penalties for violating those laws. He ruled Israel as their government. So, a theocracy is a good idea, right? Well, sure.
After awhile, the people jettisoned their Governor (with a capital "G") and demanded a new form of government. They wanted a king. And God answered their prayer. He gave them Saul. Of course, when the prophet, Samuel, took the request to God, He told him, "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them" (1 Sam 8:7). So, a monarchy was okayed but not thoroughly endorsed by God. It might work ... or it might not (1 Sam 8:9-18). Another good idea? Maybe.
Some have argued that the Bible supports communism or, at least, socialism. Communism is a government where all property and production is publicly owned and people are paid according to their need. Socialism is primarily the economic principles of communism. But are they biblical? Acts 2 describes the community of the first believers as holding all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). See? Communism. But the text goes on to clearly deny that this was mandatory (Acts 5:4) and presents it as a completely voluntary thing. Paul said that we shouldn't be giving under compulsion (2 Cor 9:7). Further, he warned, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thess 3:10) in direct opposition to "according to their need" of communism or socialism. A place where everyone shares with everyone is certainly a good idea; it just isn't a good idea as a mandatory thing.
As any good modern person knows, the best government is a democracy. Okay, maybe not practical, but at least a republic -- a federal government where the leadership is selected somehow by the people. Clearly the best. Except there isn't any mention of that sort of thing in the Bible. Scripture, it appears, doesn't seem to endorse any particular type. Israel started as a theocracy and the government of heaven will be a theocracy, so that would appear to be the optimum. It's just not expected here.
Scripture does support human government (e.g., Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15; 1 Tim 2:1-2). A good government here opposes evil and promotes good. Oddly, it doesn't seem to provide goods and services. Peter says that government is "sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right" (1 Peter 2:14). Taxation is clearly allowed by Scripture (Matt 22:20-22; Rom 13:6-7). And an oppressive government is considered ... oppressive (Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29). For believers, God is the ultimate government. You know, the "King of kings and Lord of lords."
So the Bible favors a government. It limits its reach and argues against mandatory socialism. It does not endorse capitalism (an economic system) or a democracy or republic. It does not oppose monarchies or dictators on the face of them, but opposes oppressive governments. Looks like we can't look to the Bible to determine which government we should have. Guess we'll just have to rely on God.
1 comment:
I suspect that the citizens in the more capitalistic countries who claim they want socialism/communism tend to be work-shy people. I can't help but think when I see video of Antifa protesters that they likely have never paid a dollar of income tax in their lives. They just have that unemployable look to them, you know?
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