How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 4

V The Proper Political Attitude for an American Christian 1. Peculiar Responsibilities of an American Citizen Like Locke, Montesquieu was very influential on the political thought of the Founding Fathers. His most important work, the Spirit of the Laws, distinguishes three forms of government: republics, monarchies, and despotisms. Of republics, there are two kinds: democracies and … Continue reading How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 4 →

How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 3

IV Taxation is Not Theft 1. Jesus Says to Pay Your Taxes For many years, from many different Christians, I have heard the phrase, “taxation is theft,” or other equivalent phrases. Like the rest of us, I have no great fondness for paying taxes. Nevertheless, although I cannot call it a pleasure, I must consider … Continue reading How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 3 →

How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 2

III The Unbiblical Tendency of Unlimited Libertarianism 1. The Problem with Christian Libertarianism Like many political ideologies, libertarianism is ill-defined. The term is used differently by almost everyone who uses it. However, the opening sentences of Henry David Thoreau’s famous essay Civil Disobedience goes a long way in capturing the general flavor of Libertarianism: “I heartily accept … Continue reading How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 2 →

How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 1

Preface What follows, in a number of installments, is in effect an extended essay on the question, ‘How should an American view government?’ Special attention is given to certain trends and ideologies that I am convinced are founded in a skewed way – askew from the clear teachings of Scripture – of answering this question. … Continue reading How an American Christian Should View Civil Government: Part 1 →