Governing Under God

[newton3005]

Some might expect a nation “under God” to rule as an extension of God. Indeed, Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

At first glance there seems to be a disconnect. Paul is speaking to Romans, who in their former lives so to speak, were ruled by a Roman government who served other gods. To put this in context with the Bible, what Paul says above may be better understood if we consider Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who ask him if whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, who at the time represented the government. Jesus’ answer in Matthew 22:21 and Mark 12:17 is to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Some might say that this is the origin of the idea of separation of the church and state, maybe, but in the context of Romans 13:1, Jesus may have had something else in mind.

Perhaps he meant for the Romans to consider Caesar to the extent that he would want to be considered, since he is the recognized authority established for people to deal with. And since Caesar believed in other gods, perhaps Jesus’ attitude was to give Caesar what he wants, to the extent you can afford it, and let him go about his merry way.

But how would Jesus expect us to render unto God? It is framed around the commandments of Loving God with all your heart, soul and might, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself. The concept of governing under God may arguably have originated during the Hebrews’ journey to the Promised Land, in which Moses, at the advice of his father in-law, appoints people to render judgements as Moses would render himself if he was able to judge over everyone. The purpose of such judgement was to resolve the issues and conflicts that arose during the journey to the Promised Land.

The idea of God judging all peoples is firmed up in the Psalms. Psalms 67:4 says, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you [Lord] judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.” This is the government under God, as he governs the world. Some countries have committed themselves to governing in accordance with what God wants, much as Moses’ appointees judged the way Moses would want them to judge. In a sense, Psalms 67:4 is similar to Romans 13:1, since it says that God guides the nations. And Romans 13:1, perhaps in that same sense, decrees that the authority of nations that govern under God, comes from God Himself. And, the nature, measurement and execution of such authority is the type that God would expect.

What would be one element of such governing under God? It would be the element of equity, which a dictionary defines as a matter of fairness. So, such governing would exhibit fairness in its undertakings. Opportunity is a function of such fairness. To what extent should opportunity be given? Is it enough for the government to tell the people, ‘Here it is, come and get it?’ Or does the opportunity go so far as to ensure that opportunity extends to providing means and access to ‘come and get it’ to those who may not have means and access?

What would God’s answer be if He was governing directly? Can we find it within Matthew 25:31-46 in which Jesus says the Son of Man will say to those who aided the poor and needy to ‘inherit the Kingdom prepared for them’ while saying to those who did not aid the poor and needy to ‘depart to the eternal fire’? To be sure, in the framework and context of the Bible, I don’t believe Jesus intended that the poor and needy be made richer than everyone else, but just that they at least have access to the same opportunities afforded to people as a whole. And we can consider a possibility like this because we are allowed, by virtue of Isaiah 1:18, tempered by Hebrews 6:1-3, to reason our way to what God wants.

This may lead to a question that would apply to all people—Just how much is enough to satisfy the Lord? A simple answer may be that it depends on what people need to freely acknowledge and pray to God without being encumbered by hardships that would prevent them from doing these things. It would be hard, for instance, to do these things if you or people who depend on you are hungry, thirsty, are not welcome, are inadequately clothed, are sick, or who has a loved one who is unjustly imprisoned, or are attacked or victimized despite all your efforts to provide for yourself and for people who depend on you.

There are those in government, notably in a government that calls itself as being a government “under God,” that give priority to those who already have everything they need, leaving the poor and needy to fend for themselves. They believe that this is what those who have everything really want. But some of us are starting to see that those who have everything, and who are God-fearing, did not intend that others go hungry on their account; but their attitude may be that they won’t turn down something that is offered to them if they think it will go to waste otherwise, particularly if the government is so enmeshed in red tape, misunderstandings and bewilderments that the poor and needy won’t get the help they need.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

That proverbs verse that says God changes the heart of a king like the course of a river helps here.

King Cyrus was directed this way to "do God's will" but didn't even acknowledge him as God.

The romans verse talking about respecting the governing authorities was thought to be written during the reign of Domitian, which paints a picture of the type of people God will use who just happen to hold the position.

Power is ugly, and it attracts people in a non-governmental society who would need to be locked up or executed. God changes their heart direction so they do what He wants, but these are not to be regarded as a moral example.

 

[SkyWriting]

Some might expect a nation “under God” to rule as an extension of God. Indeed, Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

At first glance there seems to be a disconnect. Paul is speaking to Romans, who in their former lives so to speak, were ruled by a Roman government who served other gods. To put this in context with the Bible, what Paul says above may be better understood if we consider Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who ask him if whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, who at the time represented the government. Jesus’ answer in Matthew 22:21 and Mark 12:17 is to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Some might say that this is the origin of the idea of separation of the church and state, maybe, but in the context of Romans 13:1, Jesus may have had something else in mind.

Perhaps he meant for the Romans to consider Caesar to the extent that he would want to be considered, since he is the recognized authority established for people to deal with. And since Caesar believed in other gods, perhaps Jesus’ attitude was to give Caesar what he wants, to the extent you can afford it, and let him go about his merry way.

But how would Jesus expect us to render unto God? It is framed around the commandments of Loving God with all your heart, soul and might, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself. The concept of governing under God may arguably have originated during the Hebrews’ journey to the Promised Land, in which Moses, at the advice of his father in-law, appoints people to render judgements as Moses would render himself if he was able to judge over everyone. The purpose of such judgement was to resolve the issues and conflicts that arose during the journey to the Promised Land.

The idea of God judging all peoples is firmed up in the Psalms. Psalms 67:4 says, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you [Lord] judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.” This is the government under God, as he governs the world. Some countries have committed themselves to governing in accordance with what God wants, much as Moses’ appointees judged the way Moses would want them to judge. In a sense, Psalms 67:4 is similar to Romans 13:1, since it says that God guides the nations. And Romans 13:1, perhaps in that same sense, decrees that the authority of nations that govern under God, comes from God Himself. And, the nature, measurement and execution of such authority is the type that God would expect.

What would be one element of such governing under God? It would be the element of equity, which a dictionary defines as a matter of fairness. So, such governing would exhibit fairness in its undertakings. Opportunity is a function of such fairness. To what extent should opportunity be given? Is it enough for the government to tell the people, ‘Here it is, come and get it?’ Or does the opportunity go so far as to ensure that opportunity extends to providing means and access to ‘come and get it’ to those who may not have means and access?

What would God’s answer be if He was governing directly? Can we find it within Matthew 25:31-46 in which Jesus says the Son of Man will say to those who aided the poor and needy to ‘inherit the Kingdom prepared for them’ while saying to those who did not aid the poor and needy to ‘depart to the eternal fire’? To be sure, in the framework and context of the Bible, I don’t believe Jesus intended that the poor and needy be made richer than everyone else, but just that they at least have access to the same opportunities afforded to people as a whole. And we can consider a possibility like this because we are allowed, by virtue of Isaiah 1:18, tempered by Hebrews 6:1-3, to reason our way to what God wants.

This may lead to a question that would apply to all people—Just how much is enough to satisfy the Lord? A simple answer may be that it depends on what people need to freely acknowledge and pray to God without being encumbered by hardships that would prevent them from doing these things. It would be hard, for instance, to do these things if you or people who depend on you are hungry, thirsty, are not welcome, are inadequately clothed, are sick, or who has a loved one who is unjustly imprisoned, or are attacked or victimized despite all your efforts to provide for yourself and for people who depend on you.

There are those in government, notably in a government that calls itself as being a government “under God,” that give priority to those who already have everything they need, leaving the poor and needy to fend for themselves. They believe that this is what those who have everything really want. But some of us are starting to see that those who have everything, and who are God-fearing, did not intend that others go hungry on their account; but their attitude may be that they won’t turn down something that is offered to them if they think it will go to waste otherwise, particularly if the government is so enmeshed in red tape, misunderstandings and bewilderments that the poor and needy won’t get the help they need.

I know this. We have panhandlers on the streets and the number has not decreased even though every third business has help wanted signs. But I recognise it should be one of the few tasks of government needed to ensure that every person is employed who desires it.

 

[timothyu]

And since Caesar believed in other gods, perhaps Jesus’ attitude was to give Caesar what he wants, to the extent you can afford it, and let him go about his merry way.

Yet the Caesar (on the coin used when Jesus asked for a coin to answer the tax question) called himself god (as did Constantine later) and his coin also labelled him as was commonly used, pontifex maximus, the original concept of pope. However coins used in the temple bore no images to comply with God's commandment. So in answering the tax question Jesus said render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's. In other words each coin accordingly.

 

[timothyu]

There is no government of man that ever operated according to the will of God. Even David was a screw up. We are all prone to self interest thus we live in a counter-culture to the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus said 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven'. Thy governance come. God will come to take control of governance away from man (and man won't like losing their governance over each other).