Fact # 1: Civil Government is Necessary
Independently of the Fall, man would end up with some forms of social organizations. Culver asserts that such a social organization would not need to be coercive, for men would have responded to it joyfully and without constraint. Since man was created as a social being, life in community is inescapable and community must be organized for man to thrive. Fallen man remains a social being, with a sinful inclination, who interacts with other fallen human beings in community. In order to refrain the evil that may result from these interactions, a different form of social organization, involving constraints or coercion, is necessary. Otherwise, life would not be possible. Referring to the flood Culver posits: “If sin’s violence to man cannot be kept in check by voluntary control, then God in His grace would control it by coercive means.”
However, civil government is unable to provide social perfection. Culver argues that, man is non-perfectible, either individually or collectively. Therefore, civil government, under the leadership of fallen human beings, can never arrive at a society where justice and righteousness are the foundation for all decisions and actions. It is good to know that civil government can accomplish a lot of good things as a God instrument to preserve human life. Among these things can be cited its contribution towards the establishment of a climate and environment where God’s redemptive work can take place.
Fact # 2: Justice is the Basis of an Effective Civil Government
While civil governments are necessary, some are more effective than others. First, civil government is most effective when officials recognize that it has its origin in God’s sovereignty. As Culver puts it: “God alone is sovereign but has delegated the power of civil government to magistrates.”. This is acknowledged in Romans 13:1: “For there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God”. Second, civil government needs a moral basis for their decisions and actions. Culvers envision that as the religious foundation of civil government which starts with an understanding and the value of man, being created in the image of God. Failure to see man as such can only lead to totalitarian regimes.
While it may be difficult to get secular leaders to acknowledge that they respond to God ultimately, an accountability structure implying the division of powers for checks and balance is of absolute necessity. Here again, the need for accountability in civil government is religiously informed. Culver asserts: “Every social order rests on a creed, on a concept of life and law, and represents a religion in action.” I am delighted to know that despite man’s effort to suppress the truth, most if not all their actions towards a just society is a faith statement. Culver rightly says: “The concept of justice, rooted in God’s person, to which all men are responsible and by which they are judged, is a religious one.”
Fact # 3: Christian Duty Toward Civil Government is that of Obedience, not of Rebellion
Jesus and his apostles emphasized the necessity to obey authorities (God, king, governors, parents, etc.) and give them their due, regardless of their being just or unjust. It is easier to obey a lawful authority; Not more so, when you know that they will execute you and
that your disciples will be ill-treated by Jewish and pagan authorities. Yet, both Jesus and His disciples demonstrated genuine obedience to civil government magistrates leaving us an example to follow. Culver notes that: “He makes plain that one ought to live in the civil commonwealth in such a manner as to support peace and public order.”
What really strikes me was to know about the context in which the disciples found themselves when they were writing about our responsibilities toward civil magistrates. Citing Phillip Schaff, Culver notes: “The attitude of Christ, His apostles, and His church, down to the time of Constantine, toward the civil government is truly sublime. They recognized it an ordinance of God, despite its degeneracy…even though they were persecuted by it with fire and sword”The disciples were not writing remotely from the cruel persecution that took place under Nero. I assume it was legitimate for them to write about how the church is to organize itself to rebel against such atrocity. Yet, they wrote about overcoming evil with good, as they were inspired by the Spirit. Beside orders from government authorities that contradict God’s law, obedience is indeed a Christian virtue.
