Political Theology (Theology of Church and State): Biblical Foundations (Old and New Testament Teaching on Government)
1. Defining Political Theology in the Bible
Political theology refers to the study of how Scripture frames the relationship between church, state, and God’s authority. The Bible portrays government as a divinely instituted authority, meant to preserve order, execute justice, and serve the common good. Yet it also insists that governments are accountable to God and limited by His higher law.
Romans 13:1 teaches that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” This statement anchors political theology not in human agreement or social contract but in divine ordination. However, the same Scripture and broader biblical witness insist that obedience to government is never absolute — God alone is the highest authority.
2. Old Testament Foundations for Government
The Old Testament provides the earliest biblical foundations for political theology:
Creation order: Humanity was commissioned to exercise dominion under God (Genesis 1:28). Government can be seen as part of this creational task of stewardship and order.
Judges and kings: Israel’s leaders were raised up by God to protect justice, yet their failures revealed the need for righteous rule (Judges 2:16–19; 1 Samuel 8).
Prophetic critique: Prophets reminded kings that they ruled under God’s covenant authority, warning against injustice, idolatry, and oppression (Isaiah 10:1–2; Amos 5:24).
The Old Testament shows both the legitimacy of government and its dangers. Human rulers are necessary in a fallen world, but they remain accountable to God’s law.
3. New Testament Teaching on Government
The New Testament expands these foundations, particularly in the writings of Paul and Peter:
Romans 13:1–7 — Government is ordained by God, and Christians are called to submit, pay taxes, and honor rulers “for conscience’ sake.”
1 Peter 2:13–17 — Submission to authorities is part of Christian witness, “for the Lord’s sake,” yet believers are free servants of God first.
Acts 5:29 — When commanded to disobey God, the apostles declared, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Thus, the New Testament affirms both submission to government and resistance when obedience to the state would mean disobedience to God.
4. Purposes of Government in Scripture
The Bible identifies several key purposes for government:
Maintaining order — Restraining evil and protecting peace (Romans 13:3–4).
Administering justice — Rewarding good and punishing wrongdoing (1 Peter 2:14).
Providing for the common good — Creating conditions where society can flourish (Jeremiah 29:7).
Preserving life — Protecting human dignity rooted in the image of God (Genesis 9:6).
Government is not ultimate, but it serves as God’s servant (diakonos) for earthly order, pointing to His final judgment and perfect reign.
5. Limits of Government and Christian Obedience
While Christians are called to honor rulers, Scripture places limits on political authority:
God’s law is supreme — Governments cannot demand what God forbids or forbid what God commands (Daniel 3:16–18; Acts 5:29).
Idolatry rejected — The early church refused emperor worship, even under persecution, because Christ alone is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).
Temporary nature — Earthly governments are passing, awaiting the kingdom of God that endures forever (Daniel 2:44).
Obedience to government is therefore conditional. Christians submit for conscience’ sake but resist when rulers overstep God’s boundaries.
6. Patriotism and the Higher Allegiance
Scripture allows for a form of patriotism — seeking the good of one’s nation (Jeremiah 29:7) and honoring rulers (1 Peter 2:17). Yet this loyalty is always secondary to allegiance to Christ.
Paul reminded the Philippians that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Political theology therefore teaches a balance: Christians may love their earthly homeland, but they are pilgrims whose ultimate loyalty is to God’s kingdom.
7. Theological Perspectives on the Origin of Government
Christian theology has offered different perspectives on why government exists:
Creation view — Government is part of God’s original design for human stewardship.
Fall view — Government arises after sin as a necessary restraint against evil.
Redemption view — Government is seen as a means God uses in His plan of salvation, serving justice and order until Christ’s return.
Each view emphasizes different aspects of biblical teaching, but all affirm that government is both necessary and limited, divinely instituted but not divine itself.
8. Political Theology, the Gospel, and the End of History
Political theology ultimately points beyond earthly states to the reign of Christ. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is Lord, a title with political implications in the Roman world. By confessing Christ as King, believers declared that Caesar was not ultimate.
The New Testament portrays earthly governments as temporary, awaiting the day when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15). In the meantime, Christians live as faithful witnesses: submitting where possible, resisting where necessary, and always proclaiming the Gospel as the true hope for the world.
Conclusion: Living Between Two Kingdoms
The Bible’s teaching on government provides balance. Government is ordained by God, to be honored and obeyed, yet never worshiped. Christians live in tension — as citizens of earthly nations and of heaven, called to seek justice, promote peace, and bear witness to the reign of Christ.
Political theology reminds the church that its mission is not to establish earthly power but to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom. Governments rise and fall, but Christ’s reign is eternal. In this hope, believers engage responsibly in public life while awaiting the final day when every ruler and nation will bow before the King of kings.
Bible Verses on Government and Political Theology
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1)
“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” (Romans 13:5)
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors.” (1 Peter 2:13–14)
“We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
“By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just.” (Proverbs 8:15)
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed.” (Romans 13:7)
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
