Kingdoms

  Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.' (John 18:36, NIV.) Challenged by the recent developments in Egypt, many have been asking whether democracy is the best form of government. Furthermore, in Christian circles the role and nature of the Church in connection with government has long been discussed. It's not my intention here to present analysis of current events in the Middle East or to persuade the reader as to what form of government is best - I am still reflecting on these issues. Rather, I would like to highlight a number of factors that affect our assessment of government - be it within the Church or outside it.

  1) The psychology of individuals and groups affects the governmental decisions they make. People often remark that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' and assert that on this basis absolute power should never be entrusted to an individual. But what if the individual were free of sin? Should Jesus be denied His rightful kingship? Clearly in His case absolute power can be entrusted to a single man. A king or a parliament will make good or wicked decisions not simply because they can but because they want to.

  2) History furnishes us with examples of kings and democracies and oligarchies functioning both well and badly.  People cite Hitler as an example of someone wielding autocratic power with terrible results. Undoubtedly that was true, but we shouldn't forget the advisers who surrounded him or the people who voted for the Nazi party. Admittedly they were never a majority - but they were a significant part of the population. What about Henry VII? When he died he left Britain in an excellent position financially. It was democratic Athens that put Socrates to death.

  3) The Bible provides a mixed picture of government for both Israel and the Church. On the one hand, monarchical power was wielded by the Kings; on the other hand, they were advised by elders and priests, whose advice they were free to accept or ignore. In the Church councils were held to decide certain matters (e.g. Acts 15), and it is clear from the Epistles that the Apostles expected their addressees to consider themselves brothers and to work together for each other's good. Christ's words concerning authority are eye-opening, and counter-intuitive from an earthly perspective. 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.' (Matthew 20:25-28, NKJV.)

  I think sometimes we make too much fuss about the precise form of government. I am prone to this myself. I can understand why people feel there should be a legal mechanism to prevent rulers from abusing their power. But the danger here is that we overlook the spirit or character of man - law is an external thing, but the heart is what really determines choices.

  Below is a list of questions I think it may be more appropriate to ask as an alternative to concerns about 'democracy' and 'freedom' in relation to government and justice. 

-Is the government protecting the vulnerable members of society?

-Is the government making sure that the courts are functioning properly?

-Is the government meeting the country's emergency needs (e.g. natural disasters)?

-Are the government's relations with foreign governments healthy? (E.g. avoiding relations with known troublemakers.)

-Are the government's relations with business healthy (e.g. no bribes for granting contracts)?

  May God grant you peace where you are in both the state and your heart. God bless.