1. Government is a good gift given by God to humanity. (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
2. God gives governments authority over people. However, in a democratic form of government this means that the people choose the government, which then has limited authority over the people for a limited period until the next election. This means that both the government and the electorate have authority from God in their roles. (Romans 13:2)
3. Human beings are imperfect sinners by nature. Politics needs to recognise that no one—neither rich nor poor—always acts selflessly or from pure motives. (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:23)
4. It follows that the power of human government must be limited because governors themselves are also imperfect sinners. There must be checks and balances to ensure that no person can wield too much power. (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 33:22; Jeremiah 17:9)
5. The primary function of government is to protect the country and the people from evildoers. This means that government has a duty to protect the national territory and people from attack, invasion or other external or internal threats. It includes the authority to punish criminals and to wage war or other military action. The government, and not individuals, has the right and duty to be God’s agent of wrath to wage just war and take retribution against criminals, which is called the 'power of the sword.' (Romans 13:3-4)
6. The secondary function of government is to promote, encourage, and reward what is good, to maintain peace and social harmony, and to promote the common welfare of the people. This specifically includes protecting God-given liberties, peace and justice. (Romans 13:3-4)
7. To fund these activities, government has the right to implement taxation and citizens have a legal and a moral duty to pay their taxes. (Romans 13:6-7; Matthew 22:17-21)
8. Taxation must be clear, proportionate, fair, just, reasonable and as low as possible in accordance with national needs and the proper limits on government power and activity. (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-28; Amos 5:11; Luke 19:1-10).
9. Government must be organised so that the rich and powerful cannot abuse their position so that the welfare of the weak, the poor, the disadvantaged and the outsider is defended. (Leviticus 19:15; Psalm 82:3; 1 Corinthians 9:9-11)
10. Private property is a legal convention instituted by God and is a good part of human society. Unjust removal of a person's property is theft. (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:21; Proverbs 10:4)
11. Freedom is a good gift from God and our laws ought to treat us as free citizens. The only justifiable limits on freedom are those which God has instituted, which includes protection of other people's lives, persons and property. (Genesis 2:15-17; 1 Peter 2:16)
12. As we are to love our neighbour and our enemies, all actions must be motivated by wanting what is best for others, not by hatred, malice or envy. This also applies in terms of government policy, even in terms of how criminals are punished or how war is waged. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 13:9)
13. Government should support societal relationships which help form a stable and civil society. This includes the family as the key institution in any nation, as well as charities, community groups and other civic bodies dedicated to the general good of the people. (Genesis 2:18-25; Ecclesiates 4:12; Romans 12:1-21)
14. Government should regulate business and commerce to make sure it is honest, fair and responsible. (Leviticus 19:36; Deueronomy 25:15; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 6:16-19)
15. As government has power to defend the people from criminal or military attacks, so government can legitimately seek to defend the people from other harmful forms of 'attack' such as disease, destitution and dangerous ignorance. Government is therefore justified in ensuring the provision of healthcare, education and welfare for the poor. This does not mean that a full ‘welfare state’ is mandated; it is certainly possible to ensure provision exists without the state being the direct provider. The defence of the nation can also extend to maintaining the culture and way of life of the people.
16. Although government cannot legislate to change people’s hearts and cannot force love or compassion, it can seek to influence behaviour by encouraging good and discouraging evil, whilst leaving room for people to freely choose to do what is good and right. (Psalm 49:7; Romans 13:3-4).
Note: I cite various Old Testament laws not because I believe that that modern states must live by these same rules in order to be acceptable from a Christian standpoint, but to show that since God gave these rules to the human government of the people of Israel, they demonstrate that, in biblical terms, it must be within the legitimate authority of modern governments to do the same. In other words, the Old Testament laws indicate what governments may do and not what all governments must do.
