Ruling Over the Earth: A Biblical View of Civil Government


Book Description

God owns and ultimately governs the earth. Yet, after creating man He tasked him as His delegated authority to rule over and steward it.God does not leave man to rule according to his own volition but reveals in the Bible everything he needs to know to fulfill his mission, including much information about government. Unfortunately, most people are ignorant of these ideas.The topic of civil government is largely ignored by most of the evangelical community today. It is rarely the topic of sermons. While 90% of evangelical pastors believe that the Bible speaks to all areas of life, only 10% of them have ever taught on civil issues. Many pastors avoid any talk of government and politics, whether from fear of offending church members or belief it is not their duty. Some seek to avoid the charge of "preaching politics, instead of Christ."However, all of Scripture is profitable and must be taught and obeyed, including the clear instruction from Christ to render to Caesar his due. Jesus and the apostles taught various principles concerning the office of civil rulers and the duty of citizens toward them. All Christians should learn what the Bible teaches about civil affairs and how to govern biblically. Fulfilling this duty is essential if we are to obey God's commission to rule over the earth.The Bible is authoritative in all it says. In it God gives us principles for all of life, including much about that earthly government that has the power to affect every area of our lives.Ruling Over the Earth addresses: the origin and meaning of government, the premise of government, spheres of government, the purpose of government, Jesus' teachings on government, the power and form of biblical government, the relationship of God and government, the model of the Hebrew Republic as an example for today, and Christians' civil duties.




Civil Government


Book Description

"This book deserves careful attention. In it Culver faces up to a large cluster of important problematics which confront contemporary evangelical thinkers. It is basically a biblicaly study on the meaning of civil government. But the author also moves freely into the areas of historical and systematic theology as well as social and political theory . . . . he surveys in some depth and in an ordered sequence biblical teachings on the task of the state from the Genesis narratives through the successive epochs of biblical revelation to the New Testament epistles. In a sustained way he seeks to draw out some of the implications of these teachings for political life today . . . . In erudition this work may be ranked with the best in evangelical scholarship." -- Prof. Gordon Spykman Calvin College "A carefully worked out, biblically conservative statement on politics and government; this is an excellent presentation . . . . the author lines up his evidence and support with admirable consistency." -- Christian Century "In a lucid, well-organized fashion he traces out the Old and New Testament teaching on civil government and presents it as an aspect of God's creative and providential handiwork." -- Prof. Richard V. Pierard Indiana State University




Christians and Civil Government


Book Description

Civil government is what we often call the state, which shares characteristics with other institutions. But unlike any other institution, the state can encourage or compel people to do certain things. It sometimes has the legitimate authority to deprive us of life, liberty, and property. The Bible tells us that it and our human governors are ordained by God. The key question this book asks is, “What has God taught us about the state?” The author also explores other questions, such as: Have we uncritically accepted ideas about civil government from our culture? Is our political identity adequately characterized as “conservative” or “progressive”—or should there be something more? What does the Old Testament teach us about civil government? What can we learn from Jesus’s relationship with the political powers of his day? This book also highlights the apostles’ interaction with local and Roman authorities and how the doctrinal statements of thoughtful Christians of the past should inform our views of civil government. Challenge political assumptions and ground your thinking in ways to honor God with the wisdom in Christians and Civil Government.




Civil Government


Book Description

In the beginning, during the time of the Patriarchs, no government existed but the rule of God directly over man. After the flood, men like Nimrod began placing themselves between God and man as they built their kingdoms and established their own authority. Despite civil government's origin and history being rooted in rebellion and arrogance against the Creator of man, God has found a use for it. He has ordained civil government for a purpose - to punish evildoers and to protect the liberty and security of its people, so that we may be able to "lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:2). When government progresses beyond its limited, God-ordained role, both history and Scripture warn that such action eventually becomes a threat to God's people. This material focuses on what the Scriptures teach about the origin, history, nature, and role of civil government, so that we as God's people might heed the instructions and warnings contained in His word. The point of this is not to argue for or against any particular candidate or political party, but for Christians to remember to be loyal to God first, and to be reluctant to call for government to expand its powers beyond the role which God ordained for it.




Politics - According to the Bible


Book Description

Should Christians be involved in political issues? This comprehensive and readable book presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life, including politics. Politics—According to the Bible is an in-depth analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense. Evangelical Bible professor, and author of the bestselling book Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem unpacks and rejects five common views about Christian influence on politics: "compel religion," "exclude religion," "all government is demonic," "do evangelism, not politics," and "do politics, not evangelism." Instead, he defends a position of "significant Christian influence on government" and explains the Bible's teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad governments. Grudem provides a thoughtful analysis of over fifty specific and current political issues dealing with: The protection of life. Marriage, the family, and children. Economic issues and taxation. The environment. National defense Relationships to other nations. Freedom of speech and religion. Quotas. And special interests. Throughout this book, he makes frequent application to the current policies of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, but the principles discussed here are relevant for any nation.










On Civil Government


Book Description

This volume is a reprint of the most through treatise on pacifism and the separation of church and state from the early era of the Stone-Campbell movement. Drawing on the Old and New Testaments as well as the witness of the early church, Lipscom ( makes a strong case for the church's non-involvement in civil government (in contrast with the divine government, which is being demonstrated through the church community).




Living in God's Two Kingdoms


Book Description

Modern movements such as neo-Calvinism, the New Perspective on Paul, and the emerging church have popularized a view of Christianity and culture that calls for the redemption of earthly society and institutions. Many Christians have reflexively embraced this view, enticed by the socially active and engaged faith it produces. Living in God's Two Kingdoms illustrates how a two-kingdoms model of Christianity and culture affirms much of what is compelling in these transformationist movements while remaining faithful to the whole counsel of Scripture. By focusing on God's response to each kingdom—his preservation of the civil society and his redemption of the spiritual kingdom—VanDrunen teaches readers how to live faithfully in each sphere. Highlighting vital biblical distinctions between honorable and holy tasks, VanDrunen's analysis will challenge Christians to be actively and critically engaged in the culture around them while retaining their identities as sojourners and exiles in this world.




God and Politics


Book Description

16 contributors represent four positions on the biblical role of civil government. Originally delivered at a consultation on that topic, each of the four major papers is presented by a leading representative of that view and is followed by responses from the three other perspectives. The result is a vigorous exchange of ideas aimed at pinpointing areas of agreement and disagreement and equipping God's people to serve him more effectively in the political arena.