The saying goes, “If you want to avoid an argument, avoid religion and politics.”  Unfortunately for the church, we live in religion, and the elections have arrived.  Currently two political movements exist within Christianity: The first movement consists of stalwart conservative members of the grand ol’ party – republicans; The second are the tree hugging liberal members – democrats.

I do contend that both groups have intelligent individuals within them, and that both groups also have evangelical Christians devoted to God.  Somehow however there has developed a remarkable gulf between both parties causing voices to grumble and fingers to be pointed.  More often than not these rumblings have not divorced themselves to politics from religion but are argued to not only be the correct party, but the biblical party (link).

There have been some discussions on this blog about how Democrats support biblical values just like Republicans support biblical values and how it may be wise to vote Democrat in the upcoming election.  I don’t want to rehash those arguments, but to take a different route and define what government responsibilities actually are defined in the bible.  For instance if we agree abortion is wrong in the bible, the next question is what should the government do about it?  If we argue the government should ban abortion, should the government also ban homosexual marriages, adultery, and lying?  We already know what makes a moral church, but what responsibility does the government have?  Suppose we agree adultery and abortion should be banned, what then should the punishments be?  Do governments have the authority to judge its citizens and kill them?

Romans 13 is perhaps the clearest passage on what God’s plan for the government is.  The author is Paul, and the object is the Roman empire.  Jesus has clearly stated before that we should love our enemies and even told Peter that “all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (ESV)”  With even more direct statements such as Jesus commanding Christians to turn the other cheek, it is no wonder that a large group of Christians believe capital punishment wrong.  It is also no wonder that as those passages conflict with traditional Christian beliefs, more and more Christians are being apathetic to not only political doctrine, but Biblical doctrine as well (link).  Let’s take a quick survey through Romans 13 and see how Paul actually outlines the responsibilities and structure of government.

Romans 13 can be broken down into three parts.  V1-2 argues that authorities (governments) are appointed by God and if you resist a government it is as if you are resisting God Himself.  V3-4 argues that this government should be a terror to bad conduct and that this government should give approval to good actions.  These two verses also explain that as God judges, so the government may and should judge individuals to death.  V5-7 concludes that as Christians we must be in subjection to our government by paying them their taxes, and obeying their rules.  Again this subjection is a direct result of the government being an institution of God.

To understand these 7 verses in light of the things Jesus taught, we must understand that Romans 13:4 argues that the government is a “servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath”.  An avenger within context of the bible was first used in the book of Judges and it refers to an individual who was supposed to take action into his own hands to avenge someone who was murdered (vff Gen 9:5).  Therefore the government according to Romans 13 is a servant of God for justice and wrath just as the church is a servant of God for the gospel.

What then could we say are the essentials of government according to this passage?  I believe they could be listed as follows:
1) The government as an avenger and servant of God must restrain sin by punishment – even unto death.
2) The government as a servant of God must promote and support good.

While these may be considered common sense, there are few other passages that detail God’s requirements of government or view of.  Ezekiel 14:13 argues that God will punish a land when it acts faithlessly against God.  In Isaiah, God declares punishment for the Assyrians because when they judged Israel they did not do it morally.  Interesting in Isaiah, God also blasts Israel for not caring for their widows as a nation.  The task not only fell to individuals, but to the entire nation.

How then should we approach debates between Republicans and Democrats?  Well, if something is just we should support it.  If something supports good deeds we should promote it.  If the government increases taxes we should pay them.  If the government makes evil a law we should ignore it and follow God.  If the government promotes evil we should protest but still remain involved.

More difficult topics that may be issued later are 1) How should we respond if we live under an oppressive and evil government such as 1940’s Germany? and 2) What determines the punishment for crimes and what determines the priority of morals?