A great way to start the new year! We must always begin with first principles in any debate.
The Bible states a simple but fundamental fact: God’s government over all things is singular, absolute, without compromise, and without legitimate competitors. All earthly governments are delegated by God’s decree and limited. Contrary to the Declaration of Independence, it’s false to claim that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” if by that claim such governments are independent of God’s ultimate governing authority.
George Frideric Handel’s English-language oratorio Messiah (1741) set the truth of God’s established and immutable government to music in a majestic way:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).
No commentary was needed. The words speak for themselves. God is the basis for what all good government is and should be. All earthly governments are derivative and are bound to follow God’s governing principles related to their designated jurisdictions and limited authority.
The capstone to the Passion Narrative in the Gospels is Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”:
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world is become
The kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ!
And He shall reign for ever and ever!
The starting point in any discussion of civil governments in all their forms (city, county, state, national) is Who is ultimately in charge? We see this with the Pharaohs of Egypt, King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, the Caesars, the Herods, kings claiming a divine right, and atheist regimes during the twentieth century whose divine edicts led to the deaths of more than 100 million people in the name of the god-like sovereign State. They all claimed to be the ultimate authority for the good of mankind. Otherwise, why would people put them in power? No one chooses a governor or a governing power unless there is the promise of good government, but that “good” government can mean death to those who oppose or disagree with the knew governing power and its definition of what’s good.
Restoring the Foundation of Civilization
There are many Christians who will not participate in civilization-building efforts that include economics, journalism, politics, education, and science because they believe (or have been taught to believe) these areas of thought are outside the realm of what constitutes a Christian worldview. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Buy NowA great way to start the new year! We must always begin with first principles in any debate. In this episode, Gary teaches students how to think about their own assumptions and foundations and why they believe what they claim to believe. Facts are important, but worldview precedes facts and interprets the facts.