Summary The Christian Worldview of the Purpose of Government
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Course
American History
Institution
Junior / 11th Grade
This essay states the purpose of government in line with biblical doctrine. It compares the views of the Apostle Paul with that of the US. Constitution.
The purpose of government is to protect the people, keep society organized, and to
provide structure and stability. A government is to be “of the people, by the people, and for the
people.” According to the apostle Paul, the government is commissioned by God to promote the
welfare of its people and to restrain wickedness. Humans are creatures who need structure in
order to thrive and prosper. Government has been given such powers by God to promote that
kind of environment. While government is an establishment that ought to be used for good, it is a
thing established in a sinful world (making it a sinful thing), and will therefore reflect the hearts
and quality of the people in power within it. This is not to discount that it is a good thing; it is
just to note that any man made government is fallible and corruptible because of sin.
The U.S. Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic form of government,
following the pattern of ancient Athens and the Roman Republic. A democracy is such that the
people govern themselves. People also elect officials (representatives) to serve on their behalf by
ballot, and the government receives its strength from the people. The purpose of the American
federal government is found in the preamble to The Constitution, and is to “establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Ideally this would be true of all
governments, but it seems to not be, seeing as a few countries are still under communist or
socialist movements. By governing with communism, one takes away the rights of the people,
which is one of the main principles America was built on (as well as a government meant for and
led by the people, etc…). A democracy which provides for, protects, and gives structure to its
people would seem to be the most effective and overall best form of government.
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