Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority.
Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed.
Democratic Republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
Dictatorship - a form of
government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not
restricted by a constitution or laws). Also, a system in which the citizens do
not possess the right to choose their own leaders.
Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - communism.
Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority.
Parliamentary Government
(Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an
executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or
chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament,
and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at
will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the
leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function.
Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite.
Theocracy - a form of
government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the
Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs,
etc.); a government subject to religious authority.
Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.
2. Old Testament government. In the Old Testament people lived under two basic forms of national government. The first form was a theocracy. That is, God Himself served as Israel’s King and Ruler. God gave His people a Law to live by (as legislator). God led His people in battle, often intervening miraculously to ensure victory when they trusted in Him (as chief executive). God made every individual and community responsible to hold each other accountable to perform the moral, social, and religious obligations set out in the Law (as judge). This understanding of the invisible God directly ruling His people was expressed by Samuel, who was shocked and outraged when the people demanded a human king. Samuel recalled the Israelites’ reaction when they saw an enemy move against them: “You said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your King” (1 Sam. 12:12).
3. Israel’s call for a king was in fact a rejection of God’s traditional role in her national life.
The desire of the people was for a king so that “we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Sam. 8:20). Yet God had called Israel different from all other nations. As Moses had said, “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?” (Deut. 4:7) It was Israel’s direct relationship with the God of heaven that set her apart. In calling for a king, Israel in effect rejected God’s direct rule, and denied her unique heritage.
Second, Israel’s call for a king disregarded a basic aspect of covenant relationship with God. God had committed Himself to bless His people when they lived in harmony with His Law. God had said, “Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (5:33). This basic element of covenant relationship was unaffected by the introduction of a king.
4. Whatever the form of government, God’s people would only know blessing when they obeyed!
When the monarchy was instituted, Samuel reminded Israel of this fact. “If you fear the Lord and serve and obey Him and do not rebel against His commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you” (1 Sam. 12:14–15). The form of government made no basic difference. Blessing could come only as a result of obedience of the whole people to the Lord.
With a king as the visible head of the nation, many would begin to rely on him rather than on God. Reliance would shift from God to the standing army and the fortifications the king would build. Erosion of reliance on God alone became a real and present danger.
The institution of the monarchy introduced unnecessary danger. Power and influence were focused in a human leader; a single individual who in turn could influence the nation. An evil king with the power of life and death over his people could make wickedness appear to pay as he rewarded those who were loyal to him rather than to God. Just such a danger exists any time that people must live with divided loyalties.
5. The coming king.
The three major institutions in Old Testament theocracy each speak of Jesus. The priesthood was established to offer the sacrifices that affirmed and maintained relationship between God and sinful human beings. Jesus, as our High Priest, offered His own blood in history’s ultimate sacrifice, making us forever acceptable to God. The prophet was established in Israel as God’s spokesman, communicating His message to His people in time of need. Jesus is “the Prophet” spoken of in Deuteronomy 18, whose message both fulfills and supercedes that given by Moses. And the king was established in Israel as a ruler. Jesus is our present and coming King, who will surely establish His personal rule over this earth as well as the universe at large.
6. Throughout history human beings have assumed that if only a society might devise the right form of government, that society would become just and the people would enjoy the blessings of harmony and peace. Plato imagined his republic, and philosophers and dreamers since then have devised various plans for their utopias. But the Bible insists that our problems are not rooted in our forms of government, but in ourselves. Sin corrupts us all, and because of sin no form of human government can promise justice or peace.
Yet human beings continue to dream. And the Bible continues to testify that this dream is false! Israel sinned under Moses, the man of God. Israel sinned under the theocracy. Israel sinned under the monarchy. Israel sinned under Governor Nehemiah. Israel sinned as Rome’s client state. In essence, history’s many forms of government continually demonstrate that the problem with human society is not political, but personal. We do not need some new, inventive form of government to make us good. We need Jesus. We need the forgiveness of our sins, and an obedience to God that is expressed in a life of love for others.
God’s willingness to let His people try different forms of government was at least in part intended to help them learn from their failures to turn away from man to find forgiveness in Him.[1]
[1]Richards,
Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. :
Victor Books, 1987, S. 206
