A Christian Worldview Of Government
January 23, 1994
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Matthew 28:18-20
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Defining Terms:Worldview
1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.
Theocracy:
A government ruled by or subject to religious authority.
Monarchy:
A sovereign, such as a king or an empress, often with constitutionally limited authority.
Republic:
A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
Democracy:
Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
Jurisdiction:
The extent of authority or control.
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God has created a chain of submission rather than a chain of authority.
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God has instituted four basic forms of government among men.
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Separation of governmentsw
Self: Galatians 5:23
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Family: Ephesians 5:21-33, Ephesians 6:1-4
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Church: Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17
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State:
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Romans 13:1-71 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (NKJ)
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We should not despise authority.w
The Ministry of State is a blessing from God upon the obedient and terror to disobedient.w
They are allowed to collect taxes to pay for their services.
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1 Peter 2:13-1713 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--
16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (NKJ)
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Our obedience silences the mouths of the foolish.