More civil government -

These "civil government" posts are derived from my entries on a discussion board relating to the "Bounds of Civil Government."

No Christian argues that the authority in any realm of government (familial, ecclesiastical, civil) comes from any source other than God. That is a given…hopefully. So one fundamental bound of civil government is that it recognizes a transcendent authority, God, who has provided a clear, written form of His will for His creation. So civil government should have an appropriate fear of the Lawgiver, the King, the Judge. A discussion of the bounds then, presupposes a faithful government willing to submit to the One who sets bounds in all realms of authority. A discussion of faithful government (especially in terms of a representative republic) presupposes a faithful citizenry able to self-govern to an extent in handling “small matters” (Exodus 18). Faithfulness in general should include a recognition of which matters fall into which realm of authority. Lawlessness, evildoers, should be addressed/punished by the realm of government which is fitting according to the Bible. But most importantly, we should all agree that there is no people or nation which is without God-given bounds.

Some of my recent reading and meditation has included: Exodus 18, Deuteronomy 4, Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Peter 2, Psalm 19, The American Heritage Party Digest of Principles, and the Reformation Study Bible commentary with reference to the Westminster Confession of Faith.