One of my favorite movies produced an insightful line, where Capt. Jack Aubrey says: "Men must be governed! Often, not wisely, but governed nonetheless." Dr. Stephen Maturin replies: "That's the excuse of every tyrant in history from Nero to Bonaparte..."
Wow. In two lines, they get down to business. Men need governing or do they?
Why can’t we all be left alone, free from any government or control of any kind?
I think the Libertarians would like that perspective, but I’d bet that most of them would still see a proper role for government, albeit much more limited than today.
Whether you think much of government or not, we are overseen by those that govern us. About half of us do some sort of voting for that government every few years.
In God’s word, there is a clear government with God as the King and chief governor. And Christ is also a governor. Matthew 2:6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a governor who will shepherd my people Israel."
In fact, an earlier prophecy offers that Christ will have the government upon his shoulders. saiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I look at all those words in that verse and I think that of all the governments in various forms in history and there is only one that makes sense to me, the Government of Christ.
What form that should take, and how should it be applied is the question. A democracy like the one in Athens, a Republic like the one in America, a socialist form like many countries in Europe, Marxist, Communist, Oligarchy, Kingly, or any one of a dozen others?
I’ve studied some of these forms and still keep coming back to what I consider the most ideal, one led by Christ. We are in a Republic of course, with Democratic values at the heart of our style of government while others are more Socialist with Democratic values as their touchstones.
Is any of it Good Government? I’ve always chuckled a bit when I remember Ronald Reagan's words, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help".
He was skeptical of government overreach and its ability to correct and govern the people. I think today, we are seeing his skepticism much more in the minds of the citizens of the world, not just one country. Something has shifted, hasn’t it? We no longer use the words Good and Government together. I’m not sure we ever did, actually.
The American Revolution was started by the complaints listed in the Declaration of Independence, a relatively short document with a long list of complaints about the Government of King George, and in some cases, the lack of government. After 250 years, it feels a bit like we are back where we started. I hope we do it better in the years ahead. Maybe we should take some time to look at Gods documents on Government.