Student Paper F99-1-7
Fall 1999, Section I
Reviewer Comments

Since the beginning of civilization, man has tried to create a perfect sate of existence for himself. Each new attempt has had its share of victories and defeats. The interaction between the powers that man chooses to govern himself and the citizens of that government has been an indicator of success or failure. The countless number of changes, revisions, and reforms in systems of government throughout history are evidence that humankind has yet to find one suitable for all of its needs. There is one type of authority, however, that has not changed since the beginning of time. God's instructions for man have been mocked, misinterpreted, and feared for thousands of years, yet very few have actually devoted themselves to it completely. The Holy Bible is God's means of communicating His laws, expectations, and intentions to His people. It is, therefore, a constitution.

It seems that throughout history, religion has played a role in society. It has always been a side item in man's daily activities. In a modern world of change, confusion, and worry, it is a small comfort to believe in a supernatural, Supreme Being. Jobs, family, and money are the main focus of everyday life, however. It is no different in seventeenth and eighteenth century Europe. The idea of an all-powerful, all knowing, invisible God ruling over man sounds appealing, yet impractical to so many. God, however, made it real to modern man about 2,000 years ago.

Thomas Hobbes' view of man in his book Leviathan is not at all unlike the Bible's. Hobbes claims that man is evil, untrustworthy, and warlike. Romans 3:10-18 states that, "There is no one righteous not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes." This seems like a very harsh, bleak statement, but the "cure" for these things is also similar to Hobbes' idea. He believes that a supreme monarch should govern man to keep peace. God agrees with this concept. When God sent His only Son, Jesus, to the world, He put His fullness into bodily form. God is so complex, so powerful, and so big that He is sometimes intimidating to humans. He therefore made Himself simple by taking on a human form and coming to man through Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace.

The New Testament states the authority that Christ has over not only His people, but the entire world. When He was crucified, He took the sins of the world with Him in His death. Three days later when He was resurrected, He brought eternal life to anyone who has faith in Him. The Bible clearly states Christ's supremacy over every human power or government. Colossians 2: 9-10 reads, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." This passage goes on in verse 15 to say, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

When one makes the decision to allow Christ to be the ruler of his life, he also gains authority over the government. Christians, however, are not to exploit this power. Romans 13:1-7 states that all Christians are to submit to their government and pay taxes or whatever else one owes. God uses the governing systems of man to punish wrongdoers and commend those who obey. Proverbs 21:1 states that, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

Christians are more than subjects of God who is their authority, they are also children of God. Childhood or servanthood in any society means that there must be discipline. The same is true in God's system of government for His people. Hebrews 12:7 indicates the type of discipline that the believer must receive. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Verse 10 goes on to state that these hardships are for the child's own good.

As with any good government, there must be a set of laws that clearly states what is right and what is wrong. The Bible has many of those laws. For a Christian, these rules for living are written on their hearts and minds. After Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent His Spirit to live in all Christians, therefore they know what is right and wrong. The Bible also states these things to all believers and teaches them how to live a godly life. This set of rules is to be followed completely. James 2:10 makes this point very clear. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."

In the book of Revelation, God's perfect government becomes a reality. Before Christ returns, there will be a period of severe persecution for all Christians. The world will go into a sort of anarchy against God's laws. Just when it seems unbearable for Christians to live, Jesus will come back to take His faithful up into heaven. Then, everyone will be tried by God's judicial system, which consists of only one judge, one jury member, and one bailiff. After this hearing, there will be a perfect city. One made of gold and several types of precious stones with gates made of pearls. The area of the city will be 1,960,000 square miles with walls 200 feet in height around it. God Himself will be the one who rules His people directly-face to face. He will be seated on His throne with Jesus sitting at His right hand.

This is the type of government man tries in vein to develop, yet any man can be a part of it. It requires anyone to become a servant and child of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Thomas Hobbes is right when he claims that peace can only come when men give up some things and follow a supreme authority. In the book of Mark, Jesus Himself said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Perhaps the most vivid image of Christ not only as a monarch, but also as a warrior, is found in Revelation 19:11-16. "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

The Student Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, pg. 1007

Student Bible, pg. 1063

Student Bible, pg. 585

Student Bible pg. 1089

Student Bible pg. 1102

Bibliography

1. The Student Bible, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

2. Kagan, Donald, Ozment, Steven, and Turner, Frank M., The Western Heritage, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, Prentice Hall.

3. Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/hobbes-lev13.html