This article is the thirty-seventh installment in our series "Christian, What Do You Believe: The Belgic Confession of Faith." Find the whole series here.
Few theological issues are thornier than a Christian approach to politics. Even believers with similar convictions disagree over policies, political platforms, and particular politicians. We even disagree over how much people may disagree with our views. These divisions won’t be resolved in this present age. But to step in the right direction, we should temporarily set aside specific, currently-debated issues and consider the big principles Scripture teaches about the reason for government and the responsibilities of those who govern and are governed.
A biblical view of the civil government requires at least three affirmations.
God Ordains Government
“The Lord, the Most High” is “a great king over all the earth” (Ps. 47:2; cf. Rev. 1:5). Everyone should answer to God. One day, everyone will. Until then, in his sovereignty “Our good God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers” (BC 36; cf. Dan. 2:21; Deut. 17:15). Truly, “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” as his servants (Rom. 13:1, 4).
And the Lord installs leaders for good reason. He wants “human lawlessness [to] be restrained and everything [to] be conducted in good order among human beings.” When humanity was loyal to God, government was simple and noninvasive. But the first people rejected God’s authority and infected the race with a spirit rebellious against his good order. Contrary to the common saying, government is not a necessary evil; it is necessary because of evil. Without good leadership, sin multiplies; without a king in Israel, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). God uses government to restrain sin and promote conditions in which righteousness can flourish.
Toward this end, God gives government real power. Unlike the church, which bears only the sword of the Spirit—the word of God—the Lord gives the state a more literal sword by which “to punish evil people and protect the good.” Leaders don’t always use the sword well. When Paul wrote Romans 13, Nero was emperor. He was wicked. He burned Christians for entertainment. Leaders sin. But even their sin is not outside of God’s good plan for this world (see Acts 4:27–28).
A biblical theology of politics affirms God’s sovereignty and his right to use human instruments to do his will. This truth has two huge implications.
Leaders Have Responsibilities to God
No leader, however important, may act independently of God. However, they rise to power or whatever their perceived mandate, God calls leaders “to contribute to the advancement of a society that is pleasing” to him, not only to themselves. Therefore, to govern well, leaders must respect at least four divine laws.
Leaders Must Resist “Exercising Absolute Authority”
No leader’s heart should be lifted up above his brethren (Deut. 17:20). When King Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself as a god, the Lord humbled him until he learned “that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Dan. 4:32).
Leaders Must “do justice” (Micah 6:8)
This means that they must “punish evil people.” The state is “an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer,” which should make people fear sin (Rom. 13:4). Leaders must “protect the good.” Just laws, policies, and actions will protect the innocent and commend upright conduct (Rom. 13:3; 1 Peter 2:14).
Leaders Must Remove Obstacles to Godliness
Scripture does not envision a state church or a national religion. But no one, whatever his position, may prohibit the free exercise of godliness. Paul, for example, believed that his faith posed no threat to Caesar and that Rome should protect his right to follow and proclaim Christ (Acts 25:8–11).
Leaders Must Stay in Their Lane
Church, family, state, and other institutions each constitute a realm of responsibility under Christ. These realms overlap, but do not cancel the authority of the others. Politicians are God’s instruments of justice, not spiritual leaders or parents. They must “[function] in the sphere entrusted to them, with the means belonging to them.”
Ultimately, leaders aren’t accountable to their constituents but to the Lord. That truth also impacts how citizens relate to leadership.
Citizens Have Responsibilities to Their Leaders
Because authorities “have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1), “everyone, regardless of status, condition, or rank must be subject” to them (BC 36). Citizens aren’t slaves. Still, we must “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21) and “Pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7).
Pay Taxes
The King of kings approved the payment of taxes and paid them himself (Matt. 22:21; 17:27). Not all taxation is just, and we can work for better policies. But in principle, taxes are a reasonable trade-off for living in an orderly society. To evade them invites punishment and is a bad witness (Rom. 13:5; Matt. 17:27).
Show Due Respect
Most people today need not honor a human emperor (see 1 Peter 2:17). Still, our constitution and local charters employ functionaries who enact, execute, and interpret laws. Only ungodly people “reject authority” and speak evil of their leaders (Jude 1:8; Acts 23:5).
Obey All Lawful Commands
When human laws directly violate God’s will, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; cf. Acts 4:19). But when possible, we must obey our leaders both to avoid their wrath and to maintain clear consciences (Rom. 13:5).
Pray for Leaders
Paul urges “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made … for kings and all who are in high positions.” In so doing, we “may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).
Strive for Change
The confession’s author could not have imagined the voice citizens have today. But even he, in his prefatory letter to the confession, tried to sway the bad policies of his king. Paul regularly did the same thing. Proper political action in the service of justice can please the Lord.
How can this topic get you to Jesus? “Christ is the eternal King” (BC 27). Through him, God rules the world. He rules you, whether you surrender to him or not. And your duty to your leaders, and their responsibility under God, should teach you to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way” (Ps. 2:12). To “Kiss the Son” means to humble yourself before Jesus, the way a loyal subject might take a knee and kiss a king’s hand. Scripture’s teaching on government should lead you to admit that, like Adam, you are a rebel. You feel tempted to be your own king, and you sometimes try to subvert God’s good order. But this is foolish—Jesus is the only true king who will put all his enemies under his feet. Take refuge in him by trusting in his salvation, and then submit to his will, and you will be blessed (Ps. 2:12).
