Issue Position: Role of Government

Issue Position

In Matthew 22:21, Jesus says, "Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." Jesus' statement indicates that there are two different realms of influence or responsibility in our world: one for the government, and one for the church. In other words, there are certain areas of responsibility that are assigned to the government, and other areas of responsibility that are assigned to the church

The Bible then sets forth those areas of responsibility that are assigned to government in passages such as Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14. According to these verses, God institutes government; therefore, it is a necessary and good thing. These verses also show that government exists for two basic purposes: 1) to punish bad conduct; and 2) to reward good conduct (conduct that promotes the general welfare and contributes to the good of society). The role of government is, therefore, very limited and narrow. Every other area of responsibility is assigned to the church.

We should also recognize that every incremental increase of government intrusion into our lives is an incremental loss of some measure of our liberty.
I believe this understanding is very important. Our first and foremost responsibility is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God has established His church as the means through which this goal is accomplished. Therefore, government should not function in a way to supplant or take away those areas of responsibility that God intends to be reserved for His church. In other words, government should not be set up to receive the glory intended for God, and people should not look to the government for their provision, their dependence or their joy. Again, the role of government is very targeted -- punish bad conduct and reward good conduct.

To quote Wayne Grudem:
Good governments help people to live a peaceful and godly life, and bad governments hinder that. Governments can allow churches to meet freely and evangelize or they can prevent these things by force of law (as in Saudi Arabia and North Korea). They can hinder or promote literacy. They can stop murderers and thieves and drunk drivers and child predators or allow them to terrorize society and destroy lives. They can promote and protect marriages or hinder and even destroy them. Governments do make a significant difference for the work of God in the world, and we are to pray and work for good governments around the world.

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