Dear en,
Russell Moore raised important questions in ‘Why Theocracy is Terrible’ (March en). But by framing the question as ‘Should governments be ruled by God?’ and answering ‘no’, I thought he rather confused the issue.
So-called theocracies are not too obedient to God, but disobedient to the true God revealed in Christ. The real problem with Iran’s theocracy, for example, is not that it seeks to be ruled by God, but that it is ruled by a false god. Further, the 20th century showed repeatedly that it is when governments forget that they answer to a higher authority that they are most likely to claim total authority for themselves.
Moore says that our call is ‘to carry the gospel to the nations, not to subdue them for our own gain’. However, we are called to make disciples of the nations, not just individuals, because Christ holds authority over them. We are to preach the gospel in the hope that the nations will repent, for their own salvation and flourishing.
Since we know salvation is by faith and not by outward conformity, a consistently Christian government would encourage religious freedom, not in spite of God’s rule, but because of it. While other gods, such as that of Islam, may command submission at the point of a sword, this flies in the face of the command and example of Jesus, who laid down his own life for us while we were still sinners.
A government that truly sought to be ruled by the God of the Bible would seek justice and mercy, walking humbly before the Lord, protecting the poor and vulnerable. As such, let’s pray and preach and where possible, argue and vote for governments to be more obedient to Christ.
Yours sincerely,
