What About my Freedom?

One of the threads that runs deep in American culture is suspicion of government.  A common accusation is that the government is constantly impinging on our freedom.  Whether it’s demanding taxes that seem too high, or imposing such regulations as the pasteurization of everyone’s milk (imagine!), people in our culture are hyper-vigilant about government control.  The (not always) unspoken assumption is that we’d all be better off if the government left us alone.

Calvin’s conclusion is that a certain measure of government control is necessary.  Why?  Because left to our own devices, we pursue our own interests to the detriment of society as a whole.  There have to be communal checks and balances to protect us, and others, from our worst instincts.  Calvin says,

“Those who are desirous to introduce anarchy object that, though anciently kings and judges presided over a rude people, yet that, in the present day, that servile mode of governing does not at all accord with the perfection which Christ brought with his gospel. Herein they betray not only their ignorance, but their devilish pride, arrogating to themselves a perfection of which not even a hundredth part is seen in them.” (Institutes, 4.20.5)

Calvin adds that the apostles, Paul in particular, held this function of government in high esteem. 

“…there can be no doubt that he [Paul] is recommending every kind of just government. He speaks much more clearly when he comes to a proper discussion of the subject. For he says that ‘there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God;’ that rulers are the ministers of God, ‘not a terror to good works, but to the evil'...” (4.20.4)

He goes on to conclude,

“To this we may add the examples of saints, some of whom held the offices of kings, as David, Josiah, and Hezekiah; others of governors, as Joseph and Daniel; others of civil magistrates among a free people, as Moses, Joshua, and the Judges. Their functions were expressly approved by the Lord. Wherefore no man can doubt that civil authority is, in the sight of God, not only sacred and lawful, but the most sacred, and by far the most honourable, of all stations in mortal life.” (4.20.4)

When the apostles Peter and Paul discuss civil authority, they both encourage Christians to submit to it (1 Peter 2:13-25; Romans 13:1-7).  When you read these passages, bear in mind that the governments to which Peter and Paul refer were far more controlling and far less friendly to Christians than ours.  The apostles encourage submission to human authority because they believe it to be authority God has granted and ordained to serve God’s purposes.  Calvin sees in this a challenge for Christians to submit not just to human authority, but to God’s:

“In regard to those who are not debarred by all these passages of Scripture from presuming to inveigh against this sacred ministry, as if it were a thing abhorrent from religion and Christian piety, what else do they than assail God himself, who cannot but be insulted when his servants are disgraced? These men not only speak evil of dignities, but would not even have God to reign over them.” (4.20.7)

When we get indignant about a particular government, party, or politician, the question we have to ask ourselves is, “Why would God allow them to be in authority over me?  What is God doing through this authority figure?  And if this is God’s will for me, am I truly willing to submit to it?”  God is at work in all the circumstances of our life.  Are we willing to let God work through whatever agents he chooses?