In polling, the question is sometimes asked: Should a nation be governed according to the Bible? The question may be raised in sniggering fashion, skewing the answer. The question may imply irrelevance, related to a bygone society. There may be the implication that the Bible is not modern to current human or natural concerns. The following notes some of the Bible factors that long preceded the development of modern government and social practices, including procedures. Government patterns in Scripture commend righteousness, freedom, protection, citizenship, and service that imply loyalty. Do we know Bible concepts? Can we conjure better ones?
PEOPLE – Scripture is clear that government is to be just and fair with citizens. (Nehemiah 5) Many points are made deriving from common fairness for all, as in the use of Roman citizenship by the Apostle Paul to advance the gospel. Slavery is so sternly resisted that an escaped slave was not to be returned to an owner. Lincoln used the fairness idea of liberty in stating that as he would not be a slave, he would not own a slave – fairness. A major issue was to avoid excesses in taxation, as well as for other issues. Needy orphans/children, widows, were to be cared for, and had rights. The people called some leaders to account as when King David was challenged on the murder of Bathsheba’s husband. The tribes (states) had leaders relating to the central government – of judges and kings. Jesus was critical of leaders in both government and religion when they were out of line. Evaluation continues in the present with public analysts at every level.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS – The Bible opposes warfare as means for solving problems. King David was denied from building the Temple because of the bloodiness of his hands in battle. Aliens or visitors were to be welcomed, treated in respect for their culture and personhood. The relationships with foreign entities known to David and Solomon were excellent. Jesus is titled: The Prince of Peace. Problem solving in peace is God’s ancient and continuing policy.
JUSTICE – The people were to be treated with even hand, according to truth and law. There were rules/laws to guide even interpersonal matters of business that included the guidance of prudence. The citizen should be loyal to the government as a matter of order. (Romans 13) Paul’s assumption was that government under law is servant to the people. Israel was a society that was designed to be protective of all. Liberty was highly valued. Government, whether casual, democratic or autocratic, was to conduct itself in the same pattern of respect for persons, equal under the law.
CHURCH/STATE – Aaron headed the organized arm of religion, and Moses headed the organized state. The two entities were not competitive, but friends (partners) cooperating in the ongoing lives of the people, inspiring loyalty, grace, values and public service. They were checks on each other pointing to law and morality. Morality generated from God pointed to values, and legal government generated from mankind pointed to practical application in society. Scripture is directed toward both individuals and institutions, like government, to: act responsibly; planning, and managing debt on short schedules; building loving families as national treasure; serving the needs of people; exulting in work accepting responsibility; corporate moderation; understanding and living together in loving and caring relationships; treating all equally without privilege; and, so ideals may be outlined. One wonders how anyone can find fault with the pattern, or would want to. If I were invited to flesh out my opinion, I would do so and request of any analyst to show a superior pattern to the biblical one. For me, none comes to mind. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020