Sacred Conception Of The State
*SACRED DOCTRINE OF THE STATE AND STATESMANSHIP*
https://thechapelofgrace.com/biblical-conception-of-the-state-2.php
There are two political doctrines of the State and Statesmanship – an
EVIL cruel DOCTRINE of Force with Intrigues, and the SACRED caring DOCTRINE of
Justice with Integrity.
Pro 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a
reproach to any people.
Pro 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the
people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.
THREE FORMS OF THE STATE OR GOVERNMENTS FOUND AMONG THE NATIONS
State or government authority, despite its various forms, is instituted
by God for orderly governance in any human community of any extent, therefore
every political office is divine ministry for good and justice.
_“The authorities that exist
have been INSTITUTED BY GOD.”_ (Rom 13:1)
_“For he is the MINISTER OF
GOD to you for good”_ (Rom 13:4)
In a MONARCHY, sovereignty belongs to the King or Emperor who appoints and delegates his princes and
nobles as his representatives to the people who are his subjects without any
voice for law or votes that count. When the
Royalty applies the evil doctrine of the State in its governance of the Kingdom
or Empire, it is called TYRANNY.
In an ARISTOCRACY, which is not under a
king, gangs of “ruling class” (both noble and ignoble) usurp State sovereignty
over the people (as cabals or juntas, caucuses or parties) to manipulate the
people (through clever sentiments of tribe and trade, creed and colour) or
subjugate the people (through violence and force) into servitude that has
neither voice for law nor votes that count. When the
Aristocrats apply the evil doctrine of the State in their governance of the
City, Nation or Country, it is called OLIGARCHY.
On the other hand, in a DEMOCRACY,
sovereignty belongs to the people who have the voice of the law and the votes
that count for electing and delegate their politicians as their accountable
representatives, such that the people are only subjects to their politicians so
long as such positions represent the people lawfully as the people demand. So,
in a democracy the people are both the sovereign and the subjects at the same
time, while the politicians are their representatives not monarch and princes. When the People and their representative Politicians apply the evil
doctrine of the State in the governance of the City, Nation or Country contrary to the people’s constitution and laws, it is
called ANARCHY.
Equity is the Righteous administration of Justice according to the rule of
just laws according to the sacred doctrine of
the State. The SACRED and true doctrine
of the State seeks to equitably and justly uphold and protect human DIGNITY,
LIBERTY, EQUALITY and SOLIDARITY as the natural, inalienable and fundamental
human rights for all.
Except in the Israelite dynasty of David, where the Monarch was equally subject
to God's Law with his subjects, Gentile Monarchs are usually exempt from the
king's law over his/her subjects. All nations also have this pagan tendency in
a Republican Aristocracy. Even in modern Democracy where all are equal before
the people's law, as godly principles of equity and justice for all demands,
the leaders are using cruel and crooked mentality to corrupt this sacred principle in order to act above and against the law.
THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF THE STATE
Evil and unjust concepts of the State have distorted politics and
Statesmanship to be falsely perceived as a game of numbers, a scheme for
interest, a means of subjugation, and clash of power and a wield of brutality, a
play of intrigues, …. aimed at cruelty and conquest against the rights of
another. This demonic doctrine of politics and Statesmanship is the worst lie
humanity has ever bought into, which led to the two World Wars and has again
swooned the whole world back into bestial savagery and mayhem! This is not only
in Africa but also in the East and the West.
The true and sacred reason and purpose for the State, politics and
Statesmanship is justice and righteousness for the harmonious rights and
liberty of coexistent humanity. Nothing else
could be true without becoming a vicious circle!
Human historical experience has proved that those who learned this
sacred and true doctrine of justice in the State have used it to bless the
peace, prosperity and liberty of their nations.
_“If we will have peace without a worm in it, lay the
foundations in justice and righteousness.”_ – Cromwell.
_“Justice is the fundamental law of society. The most
sacred of all government is to do equal and impartial justice to all citizens.”_ – Thomas
Jefferson.
_“The necessary ends of the State are: To redress wrongs,
prevent the invasion of rights, promote the public welfare.”_ – Woolsey.
According to David, God’s ordinance for
kings as State authorities is to establish equity in the nation. Equity means
ruling the nation or judging the people by God's law of righteousness and
justice.
Psa 99:4
The king's strength also loves
JUSTICE; you do establish EQUITY, you execute JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in
Jacob.
David and Solomon and all the Prophets understood and expounded the eternal
truth that God’s basis for blessing a nation with peace and prosperity is the
righteousness and justice of both the princes and the people. In absence of
righteousness and justice the nation or State would fall into reproach as the
inevitable consequence. This divine ordinance is true for any Nation or State
whether it be a monarchy ruled by king and princes or a democracy led by
president and politicians. The rise and fall of all nations all through the
ages of human history has proved this eternal truth that good and survival of
governments and nations depend on their justice and righteousness while
reproach and collapse depend on their injustice and unrighteousness.
In the KJV Bible, the Hebrew word translated RIGHTEOUSNESS is “tsedaqah,” the
word translated JUSTICE is “tsedaqah;” while EQUITY or JUDGMENT is the
statesmanly administration of “tsedaqah” among the people.
The Church must therefore awaken to PRESSURE
the princes and politician for righteousness and justice and equity.
The Church must PREACH to the people to
demand for righteousness and justice and equity from the princes and
politicians.
The church must PRAY God for His will to be
done which is righteousness and justice and equity among the people.
The only basis for which the Church would
support any prince or politician must be for righteousness and justice and
equity – no other considerations or sentiments should distract the Saints from
this divine design.
2Sam
23:3
The God of Israel said, the Rock of
Israel spoke to me, He that RULES OVER MEN must be JUST, ruling in the fear of
God.
Psa 72:1-3
(1) [A Psalm of Solomon.] Give the king
your JUDGMENTS, O God, and your RIGHTEOUSNESS unto the king's son.
(2) He shall JUDGE your people with
RIGHTEOUSNESS, and your poor with JUSTICE.
(3) The mountains shall bring peace to
the people, and the little hills, by RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Pro 14:34
RIGHTEOUSNESS exalts a nation: but
sin is a reproach to any people.
From theses verses, it is obvious that God’s ordained purpose for governance in
any nation is justice and equity amongst citizens.
THE DIVINE PATTERN OF THE STATE AS COULD BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE
Over 80 years ago, in his book, *Fundamentals
of Christian Statesmanship: _A Study of the Bible from the Standpoint of
Politics and the State_*, published in 1939 by Fleming H. Revell
Company, New York ( https://archive.org/details/fundamentalsofch0000jame/page/n2/mode/2up )
James Wallace who was then a 90 year old man who has been a
Professor of Political Science in the Macalester College, Minesota wrote
on this subject matter.
Excerpts…..
"The basic teaching of Scripture bearing on Biblical conception of the State is
• that the State is founded on justice and
equity;
• that its primary and essential purpose is
the enactment and administration of just and equitable laws;
• that it is instituted of God for this
purpose;
• that in the fulfillment of its mission it
is more and more to become the agent and organized expression of His character
and purpose;
• that the State, like the individual, is
judged by the divine standard of righteousness and justice;
• that lawmakers, judges, executives (kings,
presidents, governors) are God's servants, charged with the responsibility of
bringing to all the people the blessings of a just, efficient, and humane
government.
In short, as presented in Scripture, the State is endowed with attributes of
personality. It has mind, feeling, will--a moral nature."
"This endowment and responsibility pertain to all States, but especially
to a republic or a democracy.
·
A democracy can elect wise and able men to
office or it can choose unscrupulous politicians.
·
It can base legislation on principle or be
governed by expediency.
·
It can exalt wealth above morals or morals above
wealth.
·
It can promote temperance and sound morality or
the reverse.
·
It may be moved by prejudice and partisanism or
be motivated by reason and rectitude.
·
It can have a passion for justice or a passion
for power and conquest.
·
It can be peaceable or it can be warlike.
·
It can be humane or it can be cruel.
· It can be utterly selfish (nationalistic) or
generously recognize the equality and rights of other States
(diplomatic)."
These were based on Scriptures that speak everywhere of righteousness of God as
His character and that righteousness is God’s ruling canon in Zion for Israel
and in the State or Government among the nations. For instance
Psa 45:6
Your throne, O God, is forever and
ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a RIGHTEOUS scepter.
Psa 96:10
Say AMONG THE NATIONS that the LORD
reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he
shall JUDGE the people RIGHTEOUSLY.
Psa 99:4
The king's strength also loves
JUSTICE; you do establish EQUITY, you execute JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in
Jacob.
Isa 32:1
Behold, a king shall reign in
RIGHTEOUSNESS, and princes shall rule in JUSTICE.
Isa 9:7
Of the increase of his government and
peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to
order it, and to establish it with JUSTICE and with RIGHTEOUSNESS from this
time forth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isa 28:6
And for a spirit of JUSTICE to him
that sits in judgment, …
Isa 28:16-17
(16) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious
cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not be in haste.
(17) JUSTICE also will I make the
measuring line, and RIGHTEOUSNESS the plumb line: and the hail shall sweep away
the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Jer 23:5-6
(5) Behold, the days come, says the LORD,
that I will raise unto David a RIGHTEOUS Branch, and a King shall reign and
prosper, and shall execute JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the earth.
(6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and
Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name by which he shall be called,
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN STATE MATTERS
The Church seems to still know (though
grossly tainted with lust and pride) that God has commanded each Soul as
individuals that our PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP must kindly ensure to show God's
love and kindness to one another in their interaction as second-party fellows.
But the Church seems to no longer know (or has abandoned the ancient path
knowledge) that God has ordained the State as nations that GOVERNMENT RULERSHIP
must equitably ensure to enforce God's justice among the people as an equitable
third-party institution mediating among its citizens. This apathy was not so
until recent times after the emergence of the United Nations following the
Second World War.
This modern ignorance about God’s concept of the State and negligence of
Church’s responsibilities in State matters were not found in the Church of the
past. The victory against godless governance at the WW II and the successful
emergence of universal suffrage democracy and
institution of international community treaties seems to have deceived the
Church to wrongfully lapse into slumber and stupor on understanding of and
engagement in State issues.
The Universal Church had understood herself to be God’s international
institution for the conscientization and reconciliation of the nations and the
State authorities, that is why the Church played that role for 1500 years all
through the Roman Empire and European Civilization. For this reason, it is not
proper for the modern Church to go to sleep and stay out of political matters
of the nations simply because we have succeeded in establishing the United
Nations and other international moderating bodies.
Political office holders are called HONORABLES and EXCELLENCIES as Statesmen,
because their offices are instituted by God for excellent and honourable
purpose of administering JUSTICE and EQUITY among the people. To do otherwise
in governance of the State is to violate GOD'S RULES and violate the PEOPLE'S
RIGHTS. The world of today needs to be reminded that this doctrine of Statesmanship and politics was what all the prophets
preached to all the princes in the presence of all the peoples in all
generations of all the nations.
We must therefore follow the footsteps of
the Prophets and the Apostles to remember that God rules and vetoes in all
affairs of all peoples (Dan 4:17, 25, 32); and all princes or kings or
dignitaries in State authority are His agents of social restraint and
retribution (Rom 13:1-7; 1Tim 2:1-3; 1Pet 2:13-17). Unlike the ministers of the
Sanctuary and the Church who also work for the regeneration and revival of both the people and the
princes, sovereigns and subjects alike, ministers of the State or secular authorities are not
necessarily equipped as agents of spiritual regeneration and revival.
Grace to you
I. U. Ibeme.
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