| The CROWN of CHRIST - Understanding the Times in the Light of Scripture |
| POLITICS - The civil governments of every nation should submit to King Jesus. |
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| POLITICIANS & PASTORS Are God’s Servants |
The Hebrew prophet Zechariah described two “sons of oil” who stand
with the True God. (Zechariah 4:4) He was referring to the politician
Zerubbabel and the pastor Joshua, who led the Israelites out of Babylon
. Both of these men were “anointed ones” because oil had been poured
on their heads to set them apart. They were God’s chosen leaders of the
State and the Church.
Has God’s will changed? Does He now intend for unbelievers and
atheists to rule the nations? Many modern people ~ even the Christians ~
claim that idol-worshippers and pagans have a God-given “freedom of
conscience” to practice and preach any lie as long as they sincerely
believe it. Would it actually be wrong for Bible-believing men, anointed
by God the Holy Spirit, to enforce God’s rules regarding government and
religion?
with the True God. (Zechariah 4:4) He was referring to the politician
Zerubbabel and the pastor Joshua, who led the Israelites out of Babylon
. Both of these men were “anointed ones” because oil had been poured
on their heads to set them apart. They were God’s chosen leaders of the
State and the Church.
Has God’s will changed? Does He now intend for unbelievers and
atheists to rule the nations? Many modern people ~ even the Christians ~
claim that idol-worshippers and pagans have a God-given “freedom of
conscience” to practice and preach any lie as long as they sincerely
believe it. Would it actually be wrong for Bible-believing men, anointed
by God the Holy Spirit, to enforce God’s rules regarding government and
religion?
BIBLICAL POWER
The Bible gives us clear principles about both civil and church government. God is the all-
powerful Creator and Ruler of the whole universe. (Genesis 17:12, Daniel 4:35, Revelation 19:6)
Any power that men have is a gift from God, so all human power should be used to honor Him.
(Deuteronomy 12:32 , Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
The greatest power that God ever gave to a Man was the universal kingdom that He gave to Jesus
of Nazareth. Jesus is completely divine and completely human. As a real man, He could take power
from God. As true God, He is infinite and can have all power. (Matthew 28:18) This is why King
Jesus can be the Master and Judge of all creation. (John 5:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:27)
Two important human authorities are politicians, who rule civil society, and pastors, who lead
the Church. Like everything else in the universe, the State and the Church have been put under
that Savior’s control. But there is a difference. The Church is a building that Jesus puts together
from scratch. (Matthew 16:18 & 19) But the State is a creation of God the Trinity, who gives
organization to angels and nations. (Jeremiah 10:7, Colossians 1:16)
POLITICIANS vs. PASTORS
Politicians, who get their power generically from the Creator, should follow the natural law that
God has put in every man’s heart. (Psalm 47:7, Jeremiah 10:7) Of course, this law of nature
commands us to obey anything God tells us to do. Wise politicians will follow the Bible’s teachings
about political matters. Pastors, however, get all of their authority and rules straight from the
Bible. (Ephesians 1:22 & 23)
Politicians are earthly rulers who can use force to compel us to serve the common good. (2
Chronicles 26:16-20, Romans 13:1-4) But pastors are spiritual servants who use only persuasion to
help us understand and obey God. (2 Corinthians 5:12 &13, 10:4, Ephesians 4:11 & 12, Hebrews 13:
17, 1 Peter 5:3)
What good are politicians and pastors? Politicians mainly keep us safe from crime, unrest and
foreign enemies. (Romans 13:3) Pastors mainly help our souls. (John 18:36) Of course, a stable
civil government is good for the Church, and a healthy Church builds good citizens for the State.
Politicians are chosen by society. We might choose to have one king, several aristocrats, or a
republic. The form is not important, as long as we fear and obey God. Political rulers can even
delegate power to men under them, because the State is “an ordinance of man”. (1 Peter 2:13 &
14) But pastors get their authority from Christ through an assembly of existing pastors. Any one
pastor can preach the gospel, but it takes several pastors to ordain a new pastor. Jesus is the only
King of the Church, so the Pope of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury are imposters.
(Matthew 16:19 with Titus 1:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6)
Politicians have authority over everyone who lives within their borders; but pastors only rule those
who are church members. (Romans 13:1, 1 Corinthians 5:12 & 13) It is important to remember that
the State and the Church do not get their authority from each other. If the politicians disobey God
and refuse to enforce Biblical law, the Church should continue to preach the truth and
excommunicate sinful members. And if the pastors relax discipline or preach lies, God still expects
the politicians to fear Him and rule biblically.
POLITICIANS & PASTORS
Politicians and pastors have a lot in common. To begin with, they both get their power from God.
Only an atheist would claim that any power can exist apart from God. (Romans 13:1, 2 Corinthians
5:18) Both politicians and pastors should obey the Savior, who is King of everything. (Psalm 2:10
-12, Matthew 28:18, John 5:22,27, Ephesians 1:21-23) God expects the State as well as the Church
to study and follow His laws, which are found in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 17:18 , Malachi 2:7,
Matthew 28:20, Romans 2:12)
The politicians and pastors even have similar government structures. The Church should have local
elder boards, regional presbyteries and even broader synods. (Matthew 18:15,18, Acts 8:1, 13:1, 1
Timothy 4:14, Acts chapters 15 & 16) The State also needs such jurisdictions as municipalities,
counties, states and federal authorities.
Politicians and pastors both deserve our respect and honor as God’s appointed leaders. (Proverb 24:
21, Romans 13:7, 1 Timothy 5:17) But leaders ought to be respectable and worthy of honor! They
should bring glory to God. (Isaiah 61:1,4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
POLITICIANS outside the CHURCH
Politicians have no business ruling inside the Church. They should not try to tell the pastors and
other members which creed to hold, which Psalter to song from, who to call as a pastor, etc.
(Isaiah 8:20 , Matthew 23:10) But godly politicians should use their power around the Church.
Christian officials can’t behave like atheists as soon as they walk into a State building! (Romans 13:
4)
In the Old Testament, we find that King Ussiah was out of line when he took upon himself the work
of a priest. But Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah were right to use their power to promote
the reformation of the church. Politicians should defend and protect the true Church. God does
not want them to protect false churches, cults or pagan groups. (Isaiah 49:23, 60:10,16) Godly
politicians would help the Church by destroying idols and suppressing sexual immorality.
(Deuteronomy 13:5, 18:20 , 1 Kings 15:11-22, 2 Kings 10:25,30, 2 Chronicles 14:2 & 3, Zechariah 13:
3, Revelation 17:16)
Political leaders should silence false teachers and command the pastors of the true Church to do
their duty. (2 Chronicles 12:13, chapter 13, 29:5) They should beware of punishing citizens for
things that God does not condemn. (Deuteronomy 17:18) The State can even call synods and tell
the pastors to resolve theological problems that trouble the nation. The Emperor Constantine
called the first Nicene Council, which clarified the Deity of Christ.
Politicians should enforce all ten of God’s commandments, not just the six through ten, which
protect human rights. God has rights that are even more important, and civil leaders should re-
criminalize idol-worship, blasphemy and the breaking of the first day Sabbath. (Leviticus 24:15 &
16, Deuteronomy 13:1-6, 2 Chronicles chapter 34, Ezra 7:23 , Nehemiah 13:15-19, Psalm 122:4,
Hebrews 10:28 & 29)
Finally, politicians should examine the decisions of Church councils, and ratify them if they are
indeed scriptural. (Isaiah 8:20 , 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
GODLY POLITICIANS
What sort of politicians do we need if our nation is to serve God? They must be wise and honest
men who will focus on their duties. (Exodus 18:21 , Deuteronomy 1:13, 2 Samuel 23:2 & 3, Isaiah 33:
6, Romans 13:6) They must be real Christians who will use their power to punish evil and promote
goodness. (Deuteronomy 17:15, Judges 9:14, Psalm 72:7, 1 Peter 2:14) And they must be willing to
enforce all of God’s laws. (Deuteronomy 17:18 & 19)
The TRUE CHURCH
What sort of Church deserves to be protected by a Christian State? It must be a biblical Church
with Presbyterian government that stands up for the truth. (Hebrews 8:5, 1 Timothy 4:14, 6:20,
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, Jude 3) The world deserves an honest and clear statement of God’s positions
on truth and morality.
The Church must also be fair, willing to correct all people equally. (1 Timothy 5:20 & 21, 6:17) It
must have pure worship based on the Bible, not on the creativity and traditions of men. (Matthew
15:9, 1 Timothy 4:16, Revelation 22:18 & 19) And the pastors must be both highly educated and
deeply spiritual. Ignorant pastors won’t be able to confront false teachings; worldly pastors will
certainly shame and mislead God’s people. (Deuteronomy 33:8, Malachi 2:6, Matthew 23:15, 1
Timothy 1:7, 3:7, Titus 1:9)
GODLY CITIZENSHIP
Christians should be the best citizens. If the State obeys God, Christians will submit to it gladly.
(Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13,17) Christians will pay taxes to godly rulers, pray for the success of their
plans, and be careful to live quiet lives as peaceful citizens. (Exodus 22:28, Romans 13:2, 6 & 7, 1
Timothy 2:1 & 2, 1 Peter 2:17, Jude 8)
If politicians fear God and follow the Bible, Christians will support them with their money and even
their very lives. It is clearly biblical to fight wars to defend one’s nation in a just cause.
Christians obey a Christian State “not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake”.
(Romans 13:5) This means that we don’t obey only because we are afraid of the police, the judge
and the jail. We can agree with Christian rulers, and fully support them from the heart. But can
we pretend that godless politicians deserve such whole-hearted, conscientious support?
CHRISTIAN DISSENT
For many reasons, Bible-believing Christians should not support the government of these United
States whole-heartedly.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t even mention that God exists and is the Source of all power. It says
instead that our politicians are to serve men (“We the people”) rather than to glorify God. (Psalm
14:1, Proverb 3:5, Hosea 8:4)
Our Federal and State constitutions all contain the wicked principle of religious pluralism.
Americans are taught to be proud that our country is a safe haven for every kind of false teaching.
They speak as if God gives people a fundamental right to disobey God! (Deuteronomy 12:32 , 17:18)
Our political leaders are secular, and that means “godless” because they use their power to protect
false teachers, blasphemers and idol-worshippers.
Can a person’s “conscience” make evil things good? If God says it is wrong but I feel o.k. about it,
do my feelings override the Bible? Certainly not! Yet even the “pastors” these days teach this silly
lie. They say that the God of the Bible wants us to be free to ignore His Word and rebel against
Him. So our politicians give as much support to Papists, cults and pagans as they give to the true
Church. Is this how God wants politicians to nourish His people? (Isaiah 49:23 & 24)
Our politicians are sworn, by their oaths to the federal and State constitutions, to neglect the first
four commandments and to protect all who break them. Even atheists are allowed to serve in our
government. How can atheists lead our nation in obedience to God? (Jeremiah 10:7)
We must also look at American history. In 1797, our leaders signed the Treaty with Tripoli , which
says that “The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the
Christian religion. It has, in itself, no character of enmity against the laws or religion of
Musselmen.” That means Moslems are welcome here.
The United States has a long history of ungodliness. We were founded with unbiblical slavery and
pluralism. We have gone on to allow groundless divorce, sodomy and abortion. Today, our
government actually punishes godliness while praising evil. For just one example, they support the
murder of unborn babies with our taxes, but want to criminalize spanking. In such twisted days,
Christians must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Most significantly, all of the historically British nations have broken faith with God by turning away
from the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. This was a promise that both Church and State
made to God. England , Scotland and Ireland swore to be Christian nations, then broke their
promise. Our neglect of our forefathers’ obligations does not free us from biblical commitments to
God. (Joshua 9:15 with 2 Samuel 21:1-9, 2 Kings 11:17, Galatians 3:15)
We love the United States . It is the land of our birth, and we know of no better place to live on
earth today. But we cannot approve of our nation’s rebellion against God.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
How should we behave in such a godless land? We should weep about our nation’s sins, pray for
our neighbors to repent, and try to persuade them to reconsider the Bible’s teachings. (1 Kings 12:
3 & 4, Isaiah 58:1, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezekiel 9:4, 33:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1)
However, we must be careful not to do anything that would mean with agree with the State’s
godless authority. (Psalm 50:18) We cannot swear to uphold godless constitutions, so we can’t vote
for other men to take such a lawless oath. We cannot serve as jurors or judges, since that would
involve promising to apply American laws and ignore God’s law.
Christians must obey as much as possible, but resist if required. We wait patiently for God to send
reformation when He so chooses. (Lamentations 3:6, Hebrews 11:25 & 26)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
1. All power is from God, so we should obey non-Christian politicians the same way as Christian
rulers.
We must never confuse God’s secret plans with His law revealed in the Bible. God gave the
Romans and Jews power to kill Jesus because it was part of His salvation plan. But those who
murdered Jesus had no real right to do so. If God uses evil rulers like Pharaoh, Herod, Nero and
Hitler to further His providence, their evil deeds are still evil.
2. Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel all held office under heathen rulers, so we should too.
Such godly men never swore oaths to an evil constitution. They served at the whim of tyrants
who had no written constitution. When commanded to worship idols or stop praying, they
conscientiously disobeyed. We can serve tyrants that way, but not promise to defend evil right up
front!
3. The Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar, recognizing the full authority
of Rome .
This is incorrect, because one can appeal to a power without recognizing its authority. If a
murderer breaks into my house and attacks me ~ then a less violent thief sees the door open and
sneaks in ~ can’t I ask the thief to help me fend off the murderer? If I ask for help, it is not
because I recognize the thief’s right to enter my home!
4. Jesus told us to give Caesar what belong to Caesar, so we should always obey every government.
Our hearts and minds belong to God, not to the State. Jesus was answering evil enemies who
wanted to trick Him. He meant that we must pay their taxes is we use their money.
5. A majority of Americans want pluralism and secularism; a Christian minority has no say.
The Bible, not the dictatorship of the 51%, is the Voice of God!!! (Exodus 23:2, Hosea 8:4)
6. We should not punish idol-worship, Sabbath-breaking or heresy because we are in the “New
Testament” now.
The Old Testament ceremonies were abolished because they were only symbols of Christ and His
salvation. Criminal laws are civil and political rules, not prophecies about Jesus, so they still can
be applied. Moses punished murder and theft. Must we legalize them now?
7. Christian government would “persecute” non-Christians.
Following God’s Law can never be persecution. And dieing for heresy is never martyrdom. Is it
persecution for God to send unbelievers to hell? No government can read anyone’s thoughts and
punish their beliefs. But we should smash their idols and make them close their stores on the Lord’
s Day.
8. We should elect Christian politicians who will change the system.
It is the sin of dishonesty to swear loyalty to the system if you secretly plan to change it!
CONCLUSION
We have seen that Jesus is the King of everything. Two vital authorities He endorces are
politicians and pastors, both of which should obey God. Have we done everything possible to
glorify God in all that we do? Let us study to please Him, and pray that He will send us pastors and
politicians who will fear Him and enforce His laws.
A fuller treatment of this subject can be found in The Two Sons of Oil, by Pastor Samuel B. Wylie,
from which this updated summary was prepared.
The Bible gives us clear principles about both civil and church government. God is the all-
powerful Creator and Ruler of the whole universe. (Genesis 17:12, Daniel 4:35, Revelation 19:6)
Any power that men have is a gift from God, so all human power should be used to honor Him.
(Deuteronomy 12:32 , Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
The greatest power that God ever gave to a Man was the universal kingdom that He gave to Jesus
of Nazareth. Jesus is completely divine and completely human. As a real man, He could take power
from God. As true God, He is infinite and can have all power. (Matthew 28:18) This is why King
Jesus can be the Master and Judge of all creation. (John 5:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:27)
Two important human authorities are politicians, who rule civil society, and pastors, who lead
the Church. Like everything else in the universe, the State and the Church have been put under
that Savior’s control. But there is a difference. The Church is a building that Jesus puts together
from scratch. (Matthew 16:18 & 19) But the State is a creation of God the Trinity, who gives
organization to angels and nations. (Jeremiah 10:7, Colossians 1:16)
POLITICIANS vs. PASTORS
Politicians, who get their power generically from the Creator, should follow the natural law that
God has put in every man’s heart. (Psalm 47:7, Jeremiah 10:7) Of course, this law of nature
commands us to obey anything God tells us to do. Wise politicians will follow the Bible’s teachings
about political matters. Pastors, however, get all of their authority and rules straight from the
Bible. (Ephesians 1:22 & 23)
Politicians are earthly rulers who can use force to compel us to serve the common good. (2
Chronicles 26:16-20, Romans 13:1-4) But pastors are spiritual servants who use only persuasion to
help us understand and obey God. (2 Corinthians 5:12 &13, 10:4, Ephesians 4:11 & 12, Hebrews 13:
17, 1 Peter 5:3)
What good are politicians and pastors? Politicians mainly keep us safe from crime, unrest and
foreign enemies. (Romans 13:3) Pastors mainly help our souls. (John 18:36) Of course, a stable
civil government is good for the Church, and a healthy Church builds good citizens for the State.
Politicians are chosen by society. We might choose to have one king, several aristocrats, or a
republic. The form is not important, as long as we fear and obey God. Political rulers can even
delegate power to men under them, because the State is “an ordinance of man”. (1 Peter 2:13 &
14) But pastors get their authority from Christ through an assembly of existing pastors. Any one
pastor can preach the gospel, but it takes several pastors to ordain a new pastor. Jesus is the only
King of the Church, so the Pope of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury are imposters.
(Matthew 16:19 with Titus 1:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6)
Politicians have authority over everyone who lives within their borders; but pastors only rule those
who are church members. (Romans 13:1, 1 Corinthians 5:12 & 13) It is important to remember that
the State and the Church do not get their authority from each other. If the politicians disobey God
and refuse to enforce Biblical law, the Church should continue to preach the truth and
excommunicate sinful members. And if the pastors relax discipline or preach lies, God still expects
the politicians to fear Him and rule biblically.
POLITICIANS & PASTORS
Politicians and pastors have a lot in common. To begin with, they both get their power from God.
Only an atheist would claim that any power can exist apart from God. (Romans 13:1, 2 Corinthians
5:18) Both politicians and pastors should obey the Savior, who is King of everything. (Psalm 2:10
-12, Matthew 28:18, John 5:22,27, Ephesians 1:21-23) God expects the State as well as the Church
to study and follow His laws, which are found in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 17:18 , Malachi 2:7,
Matthew 28:20, Romans 2:12)
The politicians and pastors even have similar government structures. The Church should have local
elder boards, regional presbyteries and even broader synods. (Matthew 18:15,18, Acts 8:1, 13:1, 1
Timothy 4:14, Acts chapters 15 & 16) The State also needs such jurisdictions as municipalities,
counties, states and federal authorities.
Politicians and pastors both deserve our respect and honor as God’s appointed leaders. (Proverb 24:
21, Romans 13:7, 1 Timothy 5:17) But leaders ought to be respectable and worthy of honor! They
should bring glory to God. (Isaiah 61:1,4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
POLITICIANS outside the CHURCH
Politicians have no business ruling inside the Church. They should not try to tell the pastors and
other members which creed to hold, which Psalter to song from, who to call as a pastor, etc.
(Isaiah 8:20 , Matthew 23:10) But godly politicians should use their power around the Church.
Christian officials can’t behave like atheists as soon as they walk into a State building! (Romans 13:
4)
In the Old Testament, we find that King Ussiah was out of line when he took upon himself the work
of a priest. But Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah were right to use their power to promote
the reformation of the church. Politicians should defend and protect the true Church. God does
not want them to protect false churches, cults or pagan groups. (Isaiah 49:23, 60:10,16) Godly
politicians would help the Church by destroying idols and suppressing sexual immorality.
(Deuteronomy 13:5, 18:20 , 1 Kings 15:11-22, 2 Kings 10:25,30, 2 Chronicles 14:2 & 3, Zechariah 13:
3, Revelation 17:16)
Political leaders should silence false teachers and command the pastors of the true Church to do
their duty. (2 Chronicles 12:13, chapter 13, 29:5) They should beware of punishing citizens for
things that God does not condemn. (Deuteronomy 17:18) The State can even call synods and tell
the pastors to resolve theological problems that trouble the nation. The Emperor Constantine
called the first Nicene Council, which clarified the Deity of Christ.
Politicians should enforce all ten of God’s commandments, not just the six through ten, which
protect human rights. God has rights that are even more important, and civil leaders should re-
criminalize idol-worship, blasphemy and the breaking of the first day Sabbath. (Leviticus 24:15 &
16, Deuteronomy 13:1-6, 2 Chronicles chapter 34, Ezra 7:23 , Nehemiah 13:15-19, Psalm 122:4,
Hebrews 10:28 & 29)
Finally, politicians should examine the decisions of Church councils, and ratify them if they are
indeed scriptural. (Isaiah 8:20 , 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
GODLY POLITICIANS
What sort of politicians do we need if our nation is to serve God? They must be wise and honest
men who will focus on their duties. (Exodus 18:21 , Deuteronomy 1:13, 2 Samuel 23:2 & 3, Isaiah 33:
6, Romans 13:6) They must be real Christians who will use their power to punish evil and promote
goodness. (Deuteronomy 17:15, Judges 9:14, Psalm 72:7, 1 Peter 2:14) And they must be willing to
enforce all of God’s laws. (Deuteronomy 17:18 & 19)
The TRUE CHURCH
What sort of Church deserves to be protected by a Christian State? It must be a biblical Church
with Presbyterian government that stands up for the truth. (Hebrews 8:5, 1 Timothy 4:14, 6:20,
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, Jude 3) The world deserves an honest and clear statement of God’s positions
on truth and morality.
The Church must also be fair, willing to correct all people equally. (1 Timothy 5:20 & 21, 6:17) It
must have pure worship based on the Bible, not on the creativity and traditions of men. (Matthew
15:9, 1 Timothy 4:16, Revelation 22:18 & 19) And the pastors must be both highly educated and
deeply spiritual. Ignorant pastors won’t be able to confront false teachings; worldly pastors will
certainly shame and mislead God’s people. (Deuteronomy 33:8, Malachi 2:6, Matthew 23:15, 1
Timothy 1:7, 3:7, Titus 1:9)
GODLY CITIZENSHIP
Christians should be the best citizens. If the State obeys God, Christians will submit to it gladly.
(Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13,17) Christians will pay taxes to godly rulers, pray for the success of their
plans, and be careful to live quiet lives as peaceful citizens. (Exodus 22:28, Romans 13:2, 6 & 7, 1
Timothy 2:1 & 2, 1 Peter 2:17, Jude 8)
If politicians fear God and follow the Bible, Christians will support them with their money and even
their very lives. It is clearly biblical to fight wars to defend one’s nation in a just cause.
Christians obey a Christian State “not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake”.
(Romans 13:5) This means that we don’t obey only because we are afraid of the police, the judge
and the jail. We can agree with Christian rulers, and fully support them from the heart. But can
we pretend that godless politicians deserve such whole-hearted, conscientious support?
CHRISTIAN DISSENT
For many reasons, Bible-believing Christians should not support the government of these United
States whole-heartedly.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t even mention that God exists and is the Source of all power. It says
instead that our politicians are to serve men (“We the people”) rather than to glorify God. (Psalm
14:1, Proverb 3:5, Hosea 8:4)
Our Federal and State constitutions all contain the wicked principle of religious pluralism.
Americans are taught to be proud that our country is a safe haven for every kind of false teaching.
They speak as if God gives people a fundamental right to disobey God! (Deuteronomy 12:32 , 17:18)
Our political leaders are secular, and that means “godless” because they use their power to protect
false teachers, blasphemers and idol-worshippers.
Can a person’s “conscience” make evil things good? If God says it is wrong but I feel o.k. about it,
do my feelings override the Bible? Certainly not! Yet even the “pastors” these days teach this silly
lie. They say that the God of the Bible wants us to be free to ignore His Word and rebel against
Him. So our politicians give as much support to Papists, cults and pagans as they give to the true
Church. Is this how God wants politicians to nourish His people? (Isaiah 49:23 & 24)
Our politicians are sworn, by their oaths to the federal and State constitutions, to neglect the first
four commandments and to protect all who break them. Even atheists are allowed to serve in our
government. How can atheists lead our nation in obedience to God? (Jeremiah 10:7)
We must also look at American history. In 1797, our leaders signed the Treaty with Tripoli , which
says that “The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the
Christian religion. It has, in itself, no character of enmity against the laws or religion of
Musselmen.” That means Moslems are welcome here.
The United States has a long history of ungodliness. We were founded with unbiblical slavery and
pluralism. We have gone on to allow groundless divorce, sodomy and abortion. Today, our
government actually punishes godliness while praising evil. For just one example, they support the
murder of unborn babies with our taxes, but want to criminalize spanking. In such twisted days,
Christians must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Most significantly, all of the historically British nations have broken faith with God by turning away
from the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. This was a promise that both Church and State
made to God. England , Scotland and Ireland swore to be Christian nations, then broke their
promise. Our neglect of our forefathers’ obligations does not free us from biblical commitments to
God. (Joshua 9:15 with 2 Samuel 21:1-9, 2 Kings 11:17, Galatians 3:15)
We love the United States . It is the land of our birth, and we know of no better place to live on
earth today. But we cannot approve of our nation’s rebellion against God.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
How should we behave in such a godless land? We should weep about our nation’s sins, pray for
our neighbors to repent, and try to persuade them to reconsider the Bible’s teachings. (1 Kings 12:
3 & 4, Isaiah 58:1, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezekiel 9:4, 33:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1)
However, we must be careful not to do anything that would mean with agree with the State’s
godless authority. (Psalm 50:18) We cannot swear to uphold godless constitutions, so we can’t vote
for other men to take such a lawless oath. We cannot serve as jurors or judges, since that would
involve promising to apply American laws and ignore God’s law.
Christians must obey as much as possible, but resist if required. We wait patiently for God to send
reformation when He so chooses. (Lamentations 3:6, Hebrews 11:25 & 26)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
1. All power is from God, so we should obey non-Christian politicians the same way as Christian
rulers.
We must never confuse God’s secret plans with His law revealed in the Bible. God gave the
Romans and Jews power to kill Jesus because it was part of His salvation plan. But those who
murdered Jesus had no real right to do so. If God uses evil rulers like Pharaoh, Herod, Nero and
Hitler to further His providence, their evil deeds are still evil.
2. Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel all held office under heathen rulers, so we should too.
Such godly men never swore oaths to an evil constitution. They served at the whim of tyrants
who had no written constitution. When commanded to worship idols or stop praying, they
conscientiously disobeyed. We can serve tyrants that way, but not promise to defend evil right up
front!
3. The Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar, recognizing the full authority
of Rome .
This is incorrect, because one can appeal to a power without recognizing its authority. If a
murderer breaks into my house and attacks me ~ then a less violent thief sees the door open and
sneaks in ~ can’t I ask the thief to help me fend off the murderer? If I ask for help, it is not
because I recognize the thief’s right to enter my home!
4. Jesus told us to give Caesar what belong to Caesar, so we should always obey every government.
Our hearts and minds belong to God, not to the State. Jesus was answering evil enemies who
wanted to trick Him. He meant that we must pay their taxes is we use their money.
5. A majority of Americans want pluralism and secularism; a Christian minority has no say.
The Bible, not the dictatorship of the 51%, is the Voice of God!!! (Exodus 23:2, Hosea 8:4)
6. We should not punish idol-worship, Sabbath-breaking or heresy because we are in the “New
Testament” now.
The Old Testament ceremonies were abolished because they were only symbols of Christ and His
salvation. Criminal laws are civil and political rules, not prophecies about Jesus, so they still can
be applied. Moses punished murder and theft. Must we legalize them now?
7. Christian government would “persecute” non-Christians.
Following God’s Law can never be persecution. And dieing for heresy is never martyrdom. Is it
persecution for God to send unbelievers to hell? No government can read anyone’s thoughts and
punish their beliefs. But we should smash their idols and make them close their stores on the Lord’
s Day.
8. We should elect Christian politicians who will change the system.
It is the sin of dishonesty to swear loyalty to the system if you secretly plan to change it!
CONCLUSION
We have seen that Jesus is the King of everything. Two vital authorities He endorces are
politicians and pastors, both of which should obey God. Have we done everything possible to
glorify God in all that we do? Let us study to please Him, and pray that He will send us pastors and
politicians who will fear Him and enforce His laws.
A fuller treatment of this subject can be found in The Two Sons of Oil, by Pastor Samuel B. Wylie,
from which this updated summary was prepared.