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Christ’s Ever-Increasing Kingdom

Stephen McDowell

This article is excerpted from the soon-to-be published booklet, Christ’s Ever-Increasing Kingdom.

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“There shall be no end to the increase of His [Christ’s] kingdom.” – Luke 1:33

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” – Isa. 9:7

There has been and will continue to be a progressive advancement of Christ’s kingdom in history, on the earth. The parables of the leaven and the mustard seed show that Christianity is destined to grow and grow.

He [Jesus] presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened.” – Matt. 13: 31-33; Luke 13:18-21; Mark 4:30-32

These parables indicate the slow but progressive growth of the kingdom of God, and point to the ultimate triumph of the gospel. The last 2000 years of history show this to be the case. When Christianity began, it was small, but over the centuries it has gradually grown larger and larger, and positively influenced the world. The Christian faith has changed nations and cultures such that people have found shelter and sustenance under its branches (in those nations transformed by biblical truth).

The Kingdom at Creation and the Impact of the Fall

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We pray this because of the fall of man. Before the fall, God’s kingdom – His government – was ubiquitous. After the fall, man surrendered the earth to Satan.

When God created mankind, they – male and female (that is, the family) – were given stewardship over the earth as God’s vice-regents. “God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule … over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Gen. 1:28). This Creation Commission (also called the Cultural Mandate) included ruling or taking dominion over the earth and all it contained.[1]

After creation and before the fall, Satan and some angels rebelled against God and were cast to the earth (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Satan has sought to set up his own kingdom and usurp God’s rule and purposes. He seeks to destroy mankind and keep him from the dominion mandate.

When man disobeyed God by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man surrendered the earth to Satan. He surrendered his rule as God’s vice-regent to Satan. However, God’s mission for man to rule the earth remains.

After the fall, God initiated His plan to restore His kingdom and government to the earth. He is bringing about the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21).

The Promise of the Messiah to Restore His Kingdom

After the fall, God promised to send the Messiah in order to crush Satan – God said to the serpent that the seed of woman “shall crush you on the head,” Gen. 3:15 – reclaim His kingdom, and restore God’s government in the earth through His heirs (Christ and His church). That promise is restated many times in Scripture.

God’s plan involved His making a covenant with Abraham to bless the nations of the earth through his seed, his descendants, his family, out of which came the covenant nation of Israel and in perfect time the Messiah.

When Christ, who was part of both a heavenly and earthly family, came to earth, He gave birth to a new family, a spiritual family comprised of the redeemed, the family of God. God’s New Covenant family became the new dwelling place of God’s Spirit, the new tabernacle and temple.

Many Scriptures speak of the promise of the Messiah from the seed of woman, in particular from Abraham and his descendants, including King David (often presented as a type of Christ the King): Gen. 3:15, Gen. 12:3, Gen. 22:18; 26:4, Gen. 49:10, Dt. 18:15 (quoted in Acts 3:22 referencing this as Jesus), 2 Sam. 7:12, 16 (here David is a type of Christ); Ps. 132:11, Isa. 4:2, Isa. 7:14, Isa. 9:6-7, Isa. 40:10, Jer. 23:5, Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24.

What is the Kingdom?

In a general sense the kingdom of God is the government of God. It is the rule of God in every sphere of life.

The Greek word for kingdom is basileia which denotes sovereignty, royal power, dominion. W.E. Vine states, “The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God’s rule, Psalm 22:28; 145:13; Daniel 4:25.”^[2] It is the rule of the eternal sovereign over all His creation (Psalm 103:19; Daniel 4:3). Where the King is, there is the kingdom of God. First, the kingdom is in the heart of the believer. When Christ comes into the heart of man, His Kingdom comes. To the degree that He rules in your life is the degree to which His Kingdom comes into your life.

The kingdom of God is the rule of God, the order of God, the standard of God. The kingdom is the total rule of God in every area of life and thought in terms of His Law-Word. Every king has a law by which he rules. God cannot rule, or establish His kingdom, without a law (His righteousness).

The kingdom of God comes to your life to the degree that His rule comes to your life. This is also true within the society at large. The kingdom of God comes to a nation to the degree that the rule of God comes to that nation, being reflected in its laws, institutions, moral standards, and all spheres of life.

How Does the Kingdom Come?

God promised to send His Messiah to retake the earth from Satan, restore all things, and establish His throne (rule) in the earth. How is this being accomplished?

Remember, the kingdom of God is like a seed (Luke 13:18-19). A seed is planted and at first is small and barely seen, but over time it grows and becomes huge, producing much fruit (the parable of the mustard seed). The potential fruit of a seed is unlimited. After all, you can count how many seeds are in an apple, but you cannot count how many apples are in a seed.

Historically, the seed of God’s kingdom (planted with the coming of the Messiah) has produced a forest that covers the earth.

Satan is being crushed under the feet of the church. “And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).

The Advance of the Kingdom in History

During the time between the fall of man and the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Satan prevailed in the earth. Yet, God had a plan to restore all things. God made a covenant with Abraham to bless the nations of the earth through his family – through his seed (Gen. 12 ff) (and the Messiah was the ultimate seed).

God called Abraham and said “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Abraham and Sarah rejected the pagan city-state government and culture of Ur to follow God’s leading (Gen. 11:31-12:2; Acts 7:2-4). This resulted in the founding of the Hebrew nation, from which the Messiah came and which also became a model for all people (Gen. 15:18; 17:4, 6; 18:18). God delivered Israel (Abraham’s seed) from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 2:15, 16, 18, 21). Israel was a beachhead for God to re-establish His kingdom in the earth – to reclaim His world.

The Law of God given to the Hebrew people was for all men and nations. God’s Ten Commandments are a revelation of the state of reality, of how God’s world works. These moral and civil laws form the foundation of Western civilization. The Hebrew Republic provides a blueprint for life and government. Israel had the Law of God (which contains principles for life and flourishing) and the presence of God (Dt. 4:1-8), but they rejected God and His Truth, and became a harlot (Babylon in Revelation).

Much of the Old Testament Scriptures tell the story of the covenant nation of Israel – the nation from which the Messiah would come. Through many ups and downs, God preserved the nation and brought forth His anointed King who would restore all things.

Jesus Was the Promised Messiah.

As mentioned before, after the fall God initiated His plan of sending the Messiah to reestablish His ruler-ship over His earth. Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah. Many Scriptures speak of this: Luke 1:32-33; Mt. 16:16-17, 20; John 1:41; Acts 13:33-34; Heb. 1:3. Paul writes:

Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. (Rom. 15:8-9)

Acts 3:20-26 makes clear that Jesus is the Seed God sent forth for the “restoration of all things:” “that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (v. 20-21).

The Birth of the Messianic Kingdom and a New Age

Jesus gave birth to a new family, a spiritual family comprised of the redeemed, the family of God (the church). The kingdom of Jesus the Messiah came into the earth via the heart of man (Luke 17:20-21). The “restoration of all things” began by restoring man’s relationship with God. All those birthed into this New Covenant nation are kings and priests (Rev. 1:6) with authority to disciple all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). The Messiah delegated His authority to rule and reign in the earth to the church.

Through His death and resurrection, Christ defeated Satan, stripping him of his power. “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out” (Jn. 12:31). Christ’s work gave Him authority to evict Satan from the earth. Satan is a squatter that the church, Christ’s ambassadors, are to go and remove from their inherited property.

Jesus said in Matthew 12 that His casting out demons by the Spirit of God was evidence that “the kingdom of God has come upon you” (v. 28). He goes on to say: “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house” (v. 29). Jesus bound Satan at His first coming. His church is now able to enter his house (the world) and plunder his goods (that were surrendered at the fall).

With Christ’s resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to live inside all the redeemed of God, the Messianic kingdom was established. His kingdom is within His people. His kingdom came at His resurrection and outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.

The Significance of the Messiah

Since the coming of Jesus the Messiah 2000 years ago, the Gospel has been spreading and transforming the world. In many ways, the crooked has been made straight, valleys have been filled, and mountains leveled (Isa. 40:3), as was said the Messiah would do, and as was attributed to Christ (Luke 3:5; Isa. 65, 66).

During the Gospel Age, the Church (God’s covenant family) has been reclaiming the spiritual and material world God created for mankind. Our task is to reclaim every square inch of the earth for the Master (for His kingdom is over all things).

Theologian and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Abraham Kuyper declared: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”

We can take back the earth for God (that is, restore paradise) because Jesus Christ defeated and bound Satan: “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31). The true heirs, His ambassadors (the church), have and are evicting the illegitimate heirs. God gives us the Kingdom: “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32). He has called us to rule in/over His kingdom (Luke 12:44; Lk. 19:17, Ps. 8:6).

Satan is defeated, and since the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom with the coming of Christ, Satan has been and is being crushed under the feet of the church: “And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20).

The New Testament presents the victorious kingdom of God on the earth in history. Many Scriptures speak of the triumphant church: Luke 10; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 12:9, 11; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Rom. 4:13; Matt. 5:5; Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 2:14; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; Rom. 5:17; 1 Cor. 3:21; Rev. 20:4; Eph. 1:22-23.

Paradise Restored

God created the world as a paradise. This was man’s original home. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God they were cast out of Eden/paradise and began to live in an ever-increasing land of torment. Jesus Christ the Messiah not only defeated and bound Satan, but He also restored man’s relationship to God, filled him with the Spirit of God, wrote His law on his heart, and gave him everything he needed to accomplish the great mission of reclaiming the earth and restoring all things as God intended them to be. In other words, God made a way to restore paradise on the earth.

Since the coming of Jesus the Messiah, God’s covenant family has been working for the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21). Those things include:[3]

Myriads converted to the Christian faith (with an exponential increase of converts in the past 50 years).
Barbaric cultures civilized (Romans, Celts, Irish, Picts, Vikings, etc.)
Advance of liberty, including personal, religious, civil, political, economic
Advance of education for all people
Establishment of schools and colleges to transmit truth
Advancements in science and technology for the betterment of mankind
New inventions for economic flourishing
Advancements in business and the marketplace for increased productivity and elimination of poverty
Advancements in medicine for preserving life
Advancements in music and arts for greater worship and enjoyment of life

There has been a progressive expansion of Christianity impacting all spheres of life since Jesus initiated the Messianic or Gospel Age.

The parables of the leaven and the mustard seed show that Christianity is destined to grow and grow. The great movement of God today includes the restoration of biblical truth and the expansion of His kingdom in every sphere of life.

Truly, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9).

[1] For more on this see the books Ruling Over the Earth and Stewarding the Earth by Stephen McDowell, published by Providence Foundation

[2] W.E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1966, p. 294.

[3] See the booklet Christ’s Ever-Increasing Kingdom for a deeper look at how all these spheres of life have progressed during the Gospel Age (available in 2025). See also other Providence Foundation publications, especially America’s Providential History by Mark Beliles and Stephen McDowell, and Transforming Nations through Biblical Work by Stephen McDowell.

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Educated for Liberty (A New Film)

A New Film from the Providence Foundation

Hosted by Stephen McDowell

President Ronald Reagan insightfully said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

It is difficult to live free. Freedom is not the default state of sinful man. Left to himself, man will not progress toward liberty but spiral downward into bondage. Scripture warns us to not be taken captive by worldly philosophies, and reminds us that Christian ideas bring liberty (Col. 2:8).

Liberty produces flourishing – personal, familial, economic, governmental, and cultural flourishing. History affirms that liberty produces prosperity, but more importantly we learn from history that Christianity produces liberty.

The founders of America embraced the truths that freedom comes from God, not government, and that freedom is the product of Christian education.

Understanding these important ideas reveals why America became the most free and prosperous nation in history, and also why we have been losing our liberties. Education in early America was thoroughly Christian. Home-centered biblical education produced the free nation of America. Christian education prepared citizens to love their neighbor, to govern themselves, to think biblically, and to pass on to posterity the character and worldview necessary to to live free.

However, the rise of government controlled schools and secular education has produced a decline of moral and academic excellence, which has led to a loss of liberty. Schools have become progressively dangerous. Some of the most negative influences that young Americans can face today are found in public schools. Exposure to drugs, assault, rape, and murder are becoming more and more common. Radical transgender and homosexual ideology is promoted in classrooms, and reinforced by biological males having access to girls’ restrooms and being allowed to compete in girls’ sports.

In addition to children facing physical danger they are also facing ideological danger in the classroom. Secular humanism has replaced Christianity as the underlying tenet of public schools. With this, academic performance has declined over the decades. As numerous authors have pointed out, Johnny can’t read, Johnny can’t think, and Johnny can’t tell right from wrong.

The educrats who have overseen this decline are working hard to keep parents in the dark about all that is happening in schools. When parents attempt to speak, they are often ignored and some have even been arrested.

Our modern government schools are built upon the pagan idea that the state is the ultimate authority in the earth and everything comes under its domain, especially the education of children. This is not a new idea. From ancient history until modern times, kings and rulers have sought to govern all aspects of education. But the Bible teaches education according to Christ is outside the control of government, that it is parents who have the right and responsibility to govern the education of their children. Scripture teaches that the fear of the Lord and knowledge of truth is the foundation for education that brings liberty.

Therefore, the solution to our loss of liberty and loss of societal flourishing is to restore the biblical education upon which America was built – to prepare citizens who are Educated for Liberty.

Educated for Liberty, hosted by Providence Foundation President Stephen McDowell, explores the characteristics, model, fruit, and societal impact of biblical education, as well as the role of the family and church in educating future generations. This film contains numerous interviews of national leaders in Christian education, school administrators, teachers, pastors, and parents. It seeks to encourage families to govern the education of their children and to inspire pastors and leaders in the church to become actively involved in education, thereby assisting parents in fulfilling their responsibility to educate their children.

Some of those interviewed for the film are pictured below: David Barton (Founder WallBuilders), Alex Newman (Author and Journalist), Abraham Hamilton (American Family Association), Meeke and Wil Addison (Culture Proof), Michael Farris (Founder HSLDA and Patrick Henry College), George Barna (Author, Pollster, and Professor), Rhonda Thomas (Truth in Education), Dave Brat Former Congressman)

In addition to those pictured above, other people interviewed for this film include: Leigh Bortins, Founder Classical Conversations; Alex McFarland, Author and Educator; Walker Wildmon, American Family Radio; Jeff Keaton, President Renewanation; Tim Barton, President WallBuilders; E. Ray Moore, Exodus Mandate; Dan Smithwick, Nehemiah Institute; Sam Sorbo, Actress, and more.

The target completion date for Educated for Liberty is fall 2024. This film is intended to be freely distributed through online viewing, with DVD purchase and downloads available upon request. Educated for Liberty is a project of the Providence Foundation and Create Studios (Dale Robinson, President). The trailer can be viewed at this link and will soon be available at the website: educatedforliberty.com

To view the trailer Click Here

If you wish to support this important project you can make a donation here. For questions, contact Stephen McDowell at in**@pr******************.com or call the Providence Foundation at 434-978-4535.

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Socialism: The Biblical Perspective

Josiah Flynn

The Bible teaches that men should benefit from the fruit of their labor: “The plowman ought to plow in hope…of sharing the crops” (1 Cor. 9:10). Profiting from the fruit of your labor encourages productivity.

Politicians, activists, and even some pastors today are painting a picture of Jesus as a socialist revolutionary. They look at Jesus’ condemnation of greed and advocacy for charity, and conclude that the Bible supports socialism. A growing number of Christians today are embracing this ideology, while others simply fail to realize how socialism is creeping into almost every aspect of our daily lives. What does scripture actually say? Is the desire to own private property, to be productive, and increase your wealth wrong? Is socialism really the biblical model? The answer is no and here are four reasons why.

1. The Bible says that the diligent man profits, but the sluggard does not eat.

Proverbs 13:4 says, ”The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” The Bible is clear that the sluggard who squanders his time and resources receives nothing, but the diligent and productive are richly supplied. It teaches that when a person is productive he should profit.

Socialism, on the other hand, says that those who earn less should receive from those who earn more. However, the Bible teaches in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” This directly contradicts the teachings of socialism. Rather than redistributing wealth to the needy, the Bible teaches that those who are unwilling to work should not eat.

Whereas socialism teaches that a central state should control the economy and redistribute wealth, the Bible teaches that everyone should eat the fruit of their labor. Psalm 128:2 says, “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” The scripture tells us that when we toil diligently and create value for someone else, we should receive a profit in return.

2. The Bible affirms that charity should always be voluntary.

The key distinction that separates socialism from other economic systems is forced redistribution of wealth through the government, something the Bible never advocates. In the Bible, charity is always voluntary, out of love and generosity, never under compulsion. That is because forced charity is not true charity.

In a socialist economy generosity is enforced. In a free market system, everything is done voluntarily, including caring for those in poverty. The Bible clearly supports the latter model. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The Bible makes it clear that giving should be strictly voluntary, never under compulsion. Socialist redistribution is not the answer to poverty. The Bible says that each person should give “what he has decided in his heart to give” not what the government forces him to give. Why? Because God loves a cheerful giver.

According to the Bible, forced charity perverts justice. Leviticus 19:15 says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” Showing partiality based on wealth is a perversion of justice. When the state takes from the rich and gives to the poor, it shows favoritism based on wealth. The Bible condemns this as unjust.

3. The Bible upholds the right to own private property.

Owning property gives us power to fulfill our mission to take dominion and extend His Kingdom in the earth. “Your own vine and fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25, Micah 4:4, Zech. 3:10, Isa. 36:16) is an often used phrase in the Bible de-scribing a condition of a flourishing society. It indicates living on your own property where you produce all your needs.

While the socialist system advocates the abolition of private property, the Bible supports the right to create wealth and own possessions. The eighth commandment says, “You shall not steal.” This commandment affirms the right to possess property. Without the right to own private property, stealing cannot exist. Forced government redistribution of the property of its citizens is theft. The tenth commandment also affirms private property, commanding: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house … or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

What would Jesus say to today’s socialist activists, complaining about how unfair capitalism is? He might say something similar to what the landowner told the workers in the parable in Matthew 20 who were complaining about how they were getting paid less than their fellow workers. “I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” There are several things to learn from this passage. First, income inequality is not inherently unfair. The landowner said, “I am not being unfair to you, friend.” Just because he paid them less does not mean he was cheating them. Secondly, this passage supports honoring the contract. It says, “Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?” Rather than complaining about how unequal this situation was, the parable affirms free enterprise, honoring the contract between the employer and the employee. Lastly, it clearly underlines the biblical right to private property. It says: “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” The Bible makes it very clear that everyone has the right to own property.

4. The Bible teaches that we should look to God, not government.

Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Socialist economies fail because they trust in man rather than in the Lord. When sinful men are given absolute power, they become corrupt. God warns the people about the dangers of absolute government control. 1 Samuel 8:17-18 says, “He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” Note that it says that he will “take the tenth of your flocks” and the people will “be his slaves.” Centralized governments take from their citizens and make them into slaves of the state. If God condemns the taking of a tenth of the flocks of the Israelites, imagine what he would think of a 50% or 70% tax rate. But the problem goes deeper than that. In verse 7, God says that in asking for a king the people have “rejected me from being king over them.” When the government has complete control over the economy, it holds power that should belong only to God. Socialism rejects God as the ultimate sovereign authority and attempts to replace him with powerful earthly authorities. As Paul and the other apostles said when they were on trial before the Sanhedran, “We must obey God rather than men.”

But what about the early church? Didn’t they create a socialist economy, sharing everything they had in common and giving to each according to their needs? Acts 2:44-45 says, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Many people have concluded from these passages that the Bible supports socialism. However, this claim is a misinformed, shallow, abusive interpretation of what the passage actually teaches. This passage is a beautiful example of generosity, love, and sacrifice among the believers, but it certainly does not advocate for a socialist economy.

The purpose of civil government is to protect citizens’ proper-ty, both internal and external property. Big government plunders property and is oppressive. If governments own or control all property then they control all of life. Such a humanistic or secular view is typical of fallen man, as seen in Babel and socialist governments throughout history. Statism sees man via the state as god. In the words of Hegel: “Government is god walking upon the earth.”

First, it is important to note the extraordinary situation of the early church, which was caring for the thousands of new believers coming in from all over, who needed food and shelter. The passage is clearly a narrative account, not a prescriptive command. Even more importantly, however, is the biblical reality that the generosity seen in Acts is entirely voluntary charity. Nowhere is anyone forced to give up his possessions. Note how Peter rebukes Ananias for pretending to sell his home and to give the proceeds to the needy. Acts 5:4 says, “Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” Peter is making it clear that the problem wasn’t that he did not redistribute his wealth, but that he had lied about it. He affirms that he had every right to do whatever he wanted with his own property and the money he received from its sale. This passage endorses private property and sacrificial generosity, not socialism.

There is no reason to believe that the Bible endorses socialism. On the contrary, the four biblical principles we discussed showed why the Bible is incompatible with the socialist model. While socialism redistributes wealth to those who do not earn it, the Bible commends the diligent and rebukes the idle. Socialism believes that generosity must be enforced, while the Bible teaches that charity should be voluntary. Whereas socialism endorses the abolition of private property, the Bible supports private ownership. Socialism creates a powerful, centralized government, which the Bible condemns as a rejection of God as our king. While socialism brings slothfulness, poverty, inefficiency, dependency, coercion, and tyranny, biblical capitalism brings productivity, freedom, wealth-creation, and generosity.

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Josiah Flynn, a homeschooled high school student from Charlottesville, interned with the Providence Foundation in the summer of 2023. This Providential Perspective is a paper he wrote as his intern project.

For more on a biblical view of socialism and many other economic issues see Stewarding the Earth.

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American Exceptionalism

By Stephen McDowell

America is different than any nation in history. She is special. When America began in the late eighteenth century she was insignificant on the world stage, although her unique form of government and unmatched liberty would become examples to the world. Her great personal, religious, economic, and civil liberty produced advancement and growth unlike any nation before.

The Founders of America believed she was a chosen nation.

By the beginning of the twentieth century America had become the leading nation in the world and held that place for generations. She led the way in new inventions, discoveries, and advances that benefited all men. She became the most productive nation in the world and a leader in education, medicine, technology, and science. By 1960 she produced 39% of the world’s output, with only 6% of the population.[1] America, even with her faults and shortcomings, became the most free and prosperous nation to have ever existed. America became an exceptional nation. This had nothing to do with any inherent value of the American people, but had to do with the valuable ideas upon which she was founded.

A few of the ideas incorporated into American society making it exceptional include: valuing the individual; freedom of worship; freedom of assembly; opportunity for all to labor and benefit from the fruit of their labor; freedom to elect representatives and have a voice in government; freedom of thought and expression of ideas; freedom to own property; freedom to obtain ideas, start businesses and create wealth; limited jurisdiction of civil government; equal standing before the law for all people; no class distinctions; the central role of the family. These are part of the American Dream.

These ideas produced great liberty, justice, prosperity, charity, virtue, and knowledge. They made America a success and made her powerful. This power and wealth were used, not for conquest, but for good — for furthering liberty in the world. America has been a great blessing to the nations. Blessings have come from the private sector by giving aid, starting hospitals and schools, sending forth missionaries, and much more. The American government has also been a great blessing in assisting many nations who have fought against tyrants seeking to oppress them, and by sending large sums of money to nations encountering natural disasters and other threats.

Throughout America’s history, people have flocked to her shores to experience the fruit of her liberty and prosperity. Those that have come have been greatly blessed. Many have escaped persecution and experienced freedom to worship God and pursue their calling. Other nations, recognizing this exceptionalism, have sought to imitate the principles that made America great, and have, to some degree, benefited as well.

Early Americans recognized the special nature of the nation in history. John Adams said:

I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence for the illumination of the ignorant, and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.[2]

Historian B.F. Morris said: “God held this vast land in reserve, as the great field on which the experiment was to be made in favor of a civil and religious liberty.”[3] Historian and leading educator of women, Emma Willard, stated: “In observing the United States, there is much to convince us, that an Almighty, Overruling Providence, designed from the first, to place here a great, united people.”[4] Alexis de Tocqueville wrote:

In that land the great experiment was to be made by civilized man, of the attempt to construct society upon a new basis; and it was there, for the first time, that theories hitherto unknown, or deemed impracticable, were to exhibit a spectacle for which the world had not been prepared by the history of the past.[5]

Many of the early colonizers of America came with the vision of establishing a unique nation in history. John Winthrop wrote of the Puritans’ desire to be “A Model of Christian Charity,”— “as a city upon a hill,” where all the people of the earth would look upon and say of their own nation, “the Lord make it like that of New England.”[6] William Penn said that God gave him the land that became Pennsylvania so that he could set up a model state — “a holy experiment” — “which should open its doors to every kindred” and be a refuge for men of all creeds.[7]

Abandoning Our Unique Founding Principles

America’s founding principles made her unique, free, and powerful, but there are many today who would have her abandon those principles. Many leaders in education and the media have promoted a different ideology, and many governmental leaders have implemented policies contrary to our founding principles which have diminished our greatness.

As we have abandoned that which made us exceptional and embraced socialistic ideas, we have witnessed increasing problems and diminishing liberties. Over the past few generations there has been an increase in crime, a breakdown of the family, an increase of social immorality, growth of taxes, run-away government spending, declining educational skills, attacks on religious liberty, and government intrusion into private, family, and church life.

Consider these statistics reflecting the breakdown of the family and sexual morality. In 1960, 72% of adults were married. Today it is about 50%. In 1980, 18% of children were born outside of marriage; today over 40% are born outside of marriage.[8] Today, only 32% of people think premarital sex is wrong; 69% thought so in 1969.

In the 1960s America was at the top of the nations for best educated students. But over the years that position has steadily declined while spending has increased. In 2012 America ranked 24^th in reading, 28^th in science, and 36^th in math.[9]

We have also experienced a decline in our economy with the implementation of policies that do not protect private property rights nor encourage business growth. Currently, America has one of the world’s highest rates of taxation on capital gains,[10] which has led to plummeting productivity, from 32% of the world’s GDP in 2000 to 24% in 2010.[11] And now, for the first time since the measurement started, America has fallen out of the top ten most economically free nations, even being surpassed by Chile and Estonia.[12]

This decline is largely due to the nation rejecting the ideas upon which she was founded and embracing humanistic, immoral ideas. If we continue to throw off the foundational principles that produced the American Dream and embrace man-centered philosophies, we will see America decline even further.

The Source of America’s Founding Principles

America’s founding principles made her exceptional, powerful, and free. They produced the American Dream. My book, The Bible: America’s Source of Law and Liberty, explores where these principles originated and how they were planted in the nation. (Order from providencefoundation.com)

The founding of America is unique. It has no parallel in history. The nation started from scratch, by a people providentially prepared and greatly influenced by the Protestant Reformation. They were a people of the Book. The founding ideas came from the Bible. They were Christian in their origin. Beginning in the sixteenth century these ideas were released to many people through the printing of Bibles in the common languages. The early settlers of America carried these seed ideas with them as they colonized the nation in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These ideas were planted, grew, and began to bear great fruit. This seed determined the fruit of the American Christian Republic. It produced America as an exceptional nation, the most free and prosperous in history.

However, in recent decades we have been systematically casting aside the Bible from education, government, and law. We are removing the Ten Commandments from classroom walls, courthouses, and public life in general — and more importantly failing to teach the fundamental principles in these commandments to our children — but then wonder why our jails are being filled with people who steal, murder, and rape people. We teach that men are merely animals and then bemoan the societal result of men acting like animals.

Some people say that America’s greatest threat today comes from those who believe the nation should be governed by God-given moral standards. After all, they say, we cannot mix God and government. However, these are the official standards the Founders gave us; truths, according to the Declaration of Independence that are self-evident, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” These rights, derived from “the laws of nature and of nature’s God,” are part of the founding principles that produced the American Dream.

The truths that our Founding Fathers believed and built this nation upon came from the Creator and His Holy Scriptures, the Bible. That book, according to President Jackson, “is the Rock upon which our Republic rests.”[13] While this fact is not known by most Americans and is not taught in government schools, the evidence is overwhelming (see The Bible: America’s Source of Law and Liberty). We must understand the source of our great liberty and prosperity, and pass it on to all Americans, in order to return America to her foundational ideas and keep this country a place of liberty, truth, and prosperity.

End Notes

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_largest_historical_GDP

[2] B.F. Morris, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States, Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1864, p. 109.

[3] Morris, pp.41-42.

[4] Mark A. Beliles and Stephen K. McDowell, America’s Providential History, Charlottesville: Providence Foundation, 1989, p. 17.

[5] Ibid., p. 17.

[6] John Winthrop, A Modell of Christian Charity, 1630, Old South Leaflets, No. 207, Boston: The Old South Association.

[7] William Penn, Letter to James Harrison, August 25, 1681, Remember William Penn, compiled by the William Penn Tercentenary committee, Harrisburg: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1945, p. 77.

[8] CDC: U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low for 2nd Straight Year; 40.7% of Babies Born to Unmarried Women. http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/cdc-us-fertility-rate-hits-record-low-2nd-straight-year-407-babies

[9] http://www.geographic.org/country_ranks/educational_score_performance_country_rankings_2014_oecd.html

[10] “Capital Gains Rate by Country, 2011,” Tax Foundation, July 6, 2012 (at:http://taxfoundation.org/article/capital-gains-rate-country-2011-oecd).

[11] “Country Rankings,” The Heritage Foundation (at:http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking) (accessed on March 4, 2014), where America is ranked # 12.

[12] “Country Rankings,” The Heritage Foundation (at:http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking) (accessed on March 4, 2014).

[13] George Herbert Walker Bush, February 22, 1990, at the request of Congress, Senate Joint Resolution 164, in a Presidential Proclamation declaring 1990 the International Year of Bible Reading.

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A Biblical View of Economics

Stephen McDowell interviewed for WallBuilders Live by Rick Green, David Barton, and Tim Barton.

A brief introduction on the vital subject of economics from ideas in McDowell’s book, Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics.

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Biblical Doctrine of Government in Romans 13

Stephen McDowell

[This article is taken from the book, Ruling Over the Earth, A Biblical View of Civil Government]

Paul’s writing in Romans 13 is perhaps the best-known passage of Scripture regarding civil government. He presents a clear overview of the doctrine of government in the first seven verses, showing that we are to be subject to lawful authority in attitude and action.

¹Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. ²Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. ⁵Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ⁷Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7, NASB)

Some of the principles taught in this passage of Scripture include:

1. Civil government is a divine institution ordained by God. All authority is from God.

We examined the origin of civil government in the book of Genesis above. God established government after the fall of mankind to deal with the sinful actions of men. Civil government is a part of God’s kingdom and government, and is itself subject to God. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities,” which includes those who govern. They are not above the law. Everyone, including governing officials, are subject to the Highest Authority, God.

Civil government’s authority is delegated to it by God, just as is the authority of parents and church leaders. God is the source of all lawful authority. Commenting on Romans 13:1, theologian Charles Hodge wrote,

All authority is of God. No man has any rightful power over other men, which is not derived from God. All human power is delegated and ministerial. This is true of parents, of magistrates, and of church officers. This, however, is not all the passage means. It not only asserts that all government …is…derived from God, but that every magistrate is of God; that is, his authority is jure divino [divine right].[i]

Every official, no matter how he assumes his office and what type of government he operates within, has been delegated authority from God to fulfill the godly mission of government to be “an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” and to be a minister “to you for good.” All civil leaders are to be ministers of God’s justice, although all do not do so. All have the same duty, yet all do not fulfill that duty. If civil government fulfills its duty, we have an obligation to obey and support it.

Authorities are established (ordained, appointed) by God; that is, they rule only as He allows it. But this does not mean that He arbitrarily appoints all rulers for all nations because the Bible also teaches that those who rule reflect the type of government that the people deserve. God allows the sowing and reaping process to take place in the type of leaders we have. Israel chose their rulers of tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands (Deut. 1:13; Ex. 18:21-22). They consented to whom would be king (2 Sam. 2:4; 5:1-3; 1 Chron. 11:3). Therefore, when Paul speaks of appointment, this does not usually mean direct selection by God.

All authority and power is from God. By Him kings reign (Prov. 8:15). The usurpation or abuse of power by rulers is not of God, but the power itself is. Even the most corrupt rulers’ power is from God (John 19:11). Magistrates bear the image of God’s authority. Even bad governments perform some good function of providing a degree of order or peace (consider for example, some Middle Eastern nations under current monarchs, or former rulers like Saddam Hussein). Magistrates are God’s servants. They will give account to Him one day on how they governed.

2. God established civil government for the good of man. It is to be a minister (servant) of God for good.

Paul teaches that civil government was instituted by God for the good of mankind. Government is not intrinsically evil. It was not created to be our enemy but for our good. However, to function in this manner, it must perform its biblical purpose. All of God’s creation is good, but God’s good creation can be used for evil when not used according to His specifications in His Word (abuse of plants via drugs or drunkenness is one of innumerable examples). God ordained government for the good of mankind, but man can and has used it for evil. As expressed previously, this is because man is fallen and sinful and his heart is desperately wicked. When placed in positions of power, his tendency is to abuse that power, as witnessed throughout history.

In the context of his teaching on government Paul tells us that we are to overcome evil in the heart of man by the truth of the Gospel (Romans 12). He then writes we are to overcome evil in society by godly civil government (Romans 13:1-4).

Civil government represents God, not the people. It is His servant. It must execute God’s justice, not what it considers to be good for the people. It must look to the only One who is good, God, to be able to administer good (that which is just and right). Rulers are to be servants of God, but they are also to be servants of men rather than lording it over them. (Jesus taught this in Luke 25; see Chapter 5.)

For rulers to best fulfill their biblical mandate as ministers of God for good, we need good people governing. Hence, we must work to get good people in government.

In an election sermon preached in 1776 before the government leaders of Massachusetts, Rev. Samuel West said:

Magistrates are ministers of God…. [W]henever they pursue measures directly destructive of the public good they cease being God’s ministers, they forfeit their right to obedience from the subject, they become pests of society, and the community is under the strongest obligation of duty, both to God and to its own members, to resist and oppose them, which will be so far from resisting the ordinance of God that it will be strictly obeying his commands.[ii]

3. Everyone is to be in subjection to governing authorities. We are to resist those who rebel against God’s higher law.

We are “to be in subjection to the governing authorities” (v. 1, 5). We are not necessarily to obey every mandate of government. When Paul writes that resistance to authority equals resistance to God, he is not presenting an unqualified statement of unlimited submission to all civil authorities because we see in the book of Acts that the apostles resisted governing authorities (Acts 4:18-20; 5:17-29; 16:35-40). The Hebrew midwives, Daniel, and many other Old Testament saints disobeyed the commands of Pharaohs and kings (see for example, Ex. 1:15 – 2:3; Dan. 3, 6). The Bible teaches we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). So we are at times to resist the higher authority and obey the Highest authority (God). We are to render to civil rulers what is due them (v. 7), not more than what is due them. Colonial minister Jonathan Mayhew addressed this well in his sermon, “A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers,” preached in Boston in 1750.[iii]

There is no unlimited submission to civil authorities. After all, Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. Throughout history “Caesars” – that is, civil leaders – have often claimed to be the ultimate authority, denying in word and action the true Lord of all heaven and earth.

The Hebrew midwives disobeyed the command of Pharaoh yet obeyed the command of God.

Charles Hodge explains Paul’s object in these passages is that,

Magistrates are to be obeyed. The extent of this obedience is to be determined from the nature of the case. They are to be obeyed as magistrates, in the exercise of their lawful authority. When Paul commands wives to obey their husbands, they are required to obey them as husbands, not as masters, nor as kings; children are to obey their parents as parents, not as sovereigns; and so in every case.[iv]

Therefore, to obey the state if it attempts to perform functions of the church or family is to disobey God and render to Caesar the things that are God’s. (For more on this important civil teaching of Jesus Christ see Chapter 5 of Ruling Over the Earth.)

The context of “subjection to governing authorities” in verses 1-5 is rulers who do good and not evil. If rulers do evil, we must act appropriately by obeying God and seeking to change evil government (following the biblical steps of how to resist the tyrant, which will be discussed in Chapter 5). Rulers are to minister good and execute God’s justice against evil. If they do, then we are to obey them, but we are not to support them if they administer evil. How we withhold support from evil rulers is discussed in Ruling Over the Earth.

All power is ordained by God, and civil leaders have a duty to administer God’s justice. We are to obey them as civil rulers fulfilling this purpose. We do not obey them as God, unconditionally.

4. Civil government has been given authority to use force (the sword) to deal with evil doers.

Civil government is God’s instrument “who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” It has been given authority to use force – “it does not bear the sword for nothing” – to execute God’s vengeance upon evil doers, upon those who break God’s civil laws. As individuals, we are not to execute vengeance upon evil doers, or take revenge (Rom. 12:17, 19). We are to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44) and overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). Government is God’s instrument to execute His justice in the earth. Evil action of men is to be overcome by good government.

God gives civil government the authority to use force. It is not given to individuals or the family or church; although, each of these entities have illegitimately used force in various societies throughout history to execute what they considered to be justice. The Bible provides guidelines for the proportion and type of force, as well as for the criminal penalties for various crimes.[v]

Rulers are to restrain and punish evil men, not good men. If they punish good men they are operating outside their domain, and hence, outside this Scriptural command. As such we are under no obligation to obey. When we “do what is good,” we should not be in fear of government. Government should praise us. If government condemns us and inflicts fear upon us when we do what is good, it is operating illegitimately. When vile men rule, government is a terror (Ps. 12:1, 8). Rulers are to be a terror to evil-doers. However, they are often a terror to good-doers. If so, we have a responsibility to take all appropriate actions to change this.

While vile government can provide some protection to people – for example, while some of the leaders of Rome suppressed various God-given rights of people in the empire, they did provide some degree of peace, order, and justice – only godly government will provide the security and blessings that God intends for mankind.

Rulers are to bear the sword of war and the sword of justice. Due to the sinful nature of man, he will not always restrain himself from evil by his own inward convictions or conscience (although Paul says that even sinful man is governed to some degree by his conscience, see Romans 1 and 2). Therefore, the fear of punishment will provide a restraint to sinful people. God’s laws and their penalties help restrain evil-doers (1 Tim. 1:9); therefore, the laws of a nation should be based upon God’s law to be most effective at restraining evil. God’s penalties best deter fallen men from evil actions.[vi]

When rulers punish evil men they act as God’s servants, because God wants peace and order (1 Tim. 2), which are best instituted when rulers uphold His laws and penalties. They are God’s ministers bringing judgment on the action of men. They are not to punish men for wrong intentions and thoughts. Only God judges thoughts and intents.

5. Biblical civil government will not violate Christian conscience.

Romans 13:5 says, “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” Our conscience tells us what is right to do; that is, it tells us to obey God. Therefore, if government is commanding action contrary to God, our conscience will not tell us to obey evil government, but rather God’s law. Subjection requires our submission to government; that is, we place ourselves under someone else. But when government requires something of us that is contrary to God’s word, we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Even here, we are submissive, in the sense that we will realize that there will be consequences for disobeying leaders. When do we disobey government? When it forbids what God commands (like prayer, Daniel 6) or commands what God forbids (like idolatry, Daniel 3).

To be in subjection “for conscience’ sake” does not mean that we are to subject our conscience to the will of government leaders or to any man. Only God can make laws binding our conscience. We are to render to God what belongs to God, and our conscience belongs to God, not man. However, pagan man will attempt to govern the conscience. Today, secularists are enacting laws punishing those who oppose homosexuality, attempting to force many businessmen to violate their conscience. They pass hate laws thinking they can discern the motives of the heart.

God wants our subjection to be voluntary and sincere (Eccl. 10:20; 1 Pet. 2:17), but if the ruler’s laws violate God’s law then this cannot be. Secular governments will enact laws that violate some aspect of God’s law. We must resist such tyrannical rulers (see Chapter 5 for how to do this), while at the same time seek to establish godly government. As we take steps to resist and evaluate the probability of success we exhibit “a patient subjection to the penalty without resistance.”[vii] The first century church had little hope of changing unlawful authority and so having this attitude and action showed the rightness of the Christian faith. If we resist unbiblical civil laws, the wrath of civil government will come upon us. We must be prepared to suffer the consequences. But if we subject ourselves to unbiblical laws for fear of punishment, then God will deal with us for disobedience.

We are to be subject to our government and its laws not just out of fear of punishment but for conscience sake. But this requires that the laws that we obey are not in violation of God’s laws, for our conscience will condemn us if we act wrongly. Hence, we need godly rulers and godly laws to be able to truly fulfill this requirement.

6. Citizens have a duty to render to civil government that which is due it.

Jesus taught that we are to render to Caesar (civil government) what belongs to Caesar, but we are not to render to the Caesar what belongs to God.

We are to give to government what it is due. Jesus said we are to render to Caesar (the state) what is due him (Matt. 22:15-21; see Chapter 5). This includes paying taxes, which supports the government as it fulfills its biblical purpose. This purpose will be covered more thoroughly later, but in general, government is to punish evil-doers and protect law-abiding citizens’ life, liberty, and property. In other words, it is to do “good” – to administer God’s justice in its sphere of responsibility. If civil leaders do “bad,” then we are under obligation to take the appropriate steps to change corrupt government. We will discuss later what is due to government. While we are to submit to government, this is not an unlimited submission.

Order the book Ruling Over the Earth, A Biblical View of Civil Government

[i] Charles Hodge, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Revised edition. New York: Armstrong, 1893, p. 639. In Rousas John Rushdoony, Politics of Guilt and Pity, Vallecito, Cal.: Ross House Books, 1995, p. 336.]

[ii] Samuel West, A Sermon Preached before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, May 29^th, 1776, Boston: Printed by John Gill, 1776, in John Wingate Thornton, The Pulpit of the American Revolution, Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1860, pp. 283-284.

[iii] Jonathan Mayhew “A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers,” Boston: Printed by D. Fowle and D. Gookin, 1750, In Thornton, pp. 39-104.

[iv] Hodge, p. 641, in Rushdoony, p. 337.

[v] For more on this see Stephen McDowell, Crime and Punishment: A Biblical Perspective, Charlottesville: Providence Foundation, 2011.

[vi] See McDowell, Crime and Punishment.

[vii] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson Publishers, 2002, Rom.13:1-7, pp. 2229-2231.

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Productivity

Productivity is the means of creating wealth, overcoming poverty, and fulfilling the Creation Commission.

by Stephen McDowell

God created man and the earth to be productive, to be fruitful (Gen. 1:11-12, 20-22, 24, 28). After making man, both male and female, in His image,

God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1: 28, ESV).

The Hebrew word translated “subdue” is kabash, which means “to subdue, subjugate, dominate, bring into subjection.” This word is also used in reference to Israel subduing the land of Canaan so it would provide for their needs (Num. 32:22, 29; Josh. 18:1). God placed man in control of His creation as His vice-regent or steward. We are called to subdue, have dominion over, and steward the earth in order to meet our needs and advance His creation commission. All living and non-living things are under man’s dominion.

Our stewardship is further explained in Genesis 2: “then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (v. 15). Man’s mission was to cultivate the land God gave him. Every tree God created was good for food (Gen. 2:9). To keep trees, to cultivate land, to subdue the earth are actions of good stewardship.

In order to “be fruitful and multiply” we must subdue or control the earth. We are to develop and produce more and better goods from the earth. This is part of the mission God gave to mankind from the beginning. We are also to replenish the natural resources. God created living things such that they reproduce and multiply, making it possible for us to replenish the earth.

God’s blessing comes via man’s increased productivity using the resources He created in the earth and universe. Material abundance is a blessing of God (Deut. 8:7-10). Disobedience by man brought a curse upon him and the earth seen via hindered productivity (Gen. 3:17-19).

Material productivity is good. It is part of our godly mission. Productive occupations are good. Jesus and His apostles were involved in occupations that produced useful goods and services. Jesus was a carpenter, Paul was a tentmaker, James and John were fishermen. Many of His apostles continued their business while conducting their “religious” work of preaching the Gospel.

Jesus and the apostles were involved in productive occupations. Material productivity is good and is part of our godly mission.

God’s goal for us is to be productive, both in our spiritual and natural activities. We are to be fruitful in spiritual disciplines, like evangelism, worship, prayer, Bible study, et cetera. We are also to be fruitful in our calling – in family matters, our occupation, business endeavors, and other responsibilities in life.

Wealth comes from productivity, not from having more money, even honest money like gold and silver. Money does not equal wealth; productivity does.

Productivity is the goal, not merely having a job or obtaining more money (though money, a commodity to facilitate exchange, can reflect your labor and productivity). Years ago when I visited Manila, I saw many people cutting grass with machetes. Many of these low-wage laborers were employed by the government in its hope of full employment, but their work was of little value. They were hindered from entering into their highest potential by performing menial labor that could be accomplished in a fraction of the time with one lawn mower. The goal of a nation or individual should not be merely jobs for all. It should be for everyone to be as productive as possible.

Our economic goal should not be to get everyone a bigger house and nicer car and plenty to eat. It should be to maximize the productivity of every citizen. This involves everyone continually gaining knowledge and skills. Preparation helps us be productive, whether growing in our relationship with God and all the spiritual disciplines, or developing our business skills and knowledge.

Living a life of leisure is not our mission in life; rather it is for all citizens to be as productive as possible. Drug dealers and other criminals can obtain great riches, and even give these to others. But they do not produce needed goods or services, and hence, do not contribute to the increased wealth of a nation.

Our productivity brings into being new goods and services. It is a creative process. Our physical labor is to be productive, and so is our intellectual labor. Both bring into being new things that add to our wealth. Productivity comes from land, labor, capital, individual enterprise, and trade.

Productivity is encouraged throughout the Bible. In the beginning, God shows us His desire for His creation to be productive via trees bearing fruit, the land bearing grain, and animals bearing offspring. In His original commission to man, He told him to be fruitful, multiply, and cultivate the earth; that is, be productive. He affirms that economic growth and wealth creation is good. Increased productivity is a blessing from God, while hindered productivity is a curse (Gen. 3:17-19; Deut. 8:7-10; 28). God created man with a strong internal desire to be productive, to create and develop things using the earth’s natural resources and our mental and muscular energy.

Scripture teaches that we are to benefit from the fruit of our labor. Productive labor increases the amount of goods and services that exist. The labor of the farmer and the mechanic is productive. The service of the accountant increases efficiency. Doctors help us remain healthy, adding to our days of productivity. God wants us to benefit from the fruit of our labor, because this encourages more productivity.

We see in the parable of the talents that God rewards productivity. He rewards those who use their skills and abilities to increase the minas He gives His servants (Luke 19:11-27).

God is productive — He created all things to be a blessing — and He wants man to be productive — creating goods and services to bless mankind. The devil does not create, he merely destroys. Demonic governments destroy, via direct action and also indirectly via restrictive economic policies.

Destroying goods that people value will be injurious to a society. This seems very obvious, but government leaders have done this many times. In 1933 the U.S. government enacted legislation (the Agricultural Adjustment Act) that paid farmers to plow under part of their crops. The intent was to reduce the supply and prevent prices from falling for corn, wheat, cotton and other crops. Healthy cattle, sheep, and pigs were slaughtered to keep them off the market. This specific law was ruled unconstitutional in 1936, but today the government pays farmers to limit production for similar reasons. Former President Obama’s Cash for Clunkers program paid car dealers to destroy older cars traded in for new ones. The goal? Stimulate the buying of new cars. These are just a few examples of ignorant “politicians attempting to promote prosperity by destroying productive assets.”[i]

The Role of Government

The role of the government is to promote productivity – to promote economic growth. It is to “promote the general welfare” of the nation. This is to be done by enacting policies that increase the productivity of the people, including protecting property rights, having small taxes and minimal regulations, keeping the market free and fair, and providing safety and peace.[ii] The power of government should be small because government control destroys productivity. In a free market people choose their own occupation based upon their skills and desires, and when they work in an area they enjoy they will be more productive.

Low taxes encourage productivity. When taxes are low, people have more money to spend and invest. When governments take money, they do not invest it in productive activities. They consume it, usually on wasteful programs. Some government workers perform necessary work (to protect life and property), but they do not use money as productively as the private sector. Individuals are motivated to get the highest return on their money as possible as this directly increases their wealth. With more money, they will invest more, work more, earn more, and in the long run pay more taxes. Therefore, government policies should encourage productivity, not hinder it.

——

(This material is from the newly published book, Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics by Stephen McDowell.)

What resources has God given man to enable him to be productive? What are the factors of production in a biblical economy? What policies can governments implement to promote productivity? What are some historical examples where men have applied biblical principles and seen good fruit following? The answers to these questions, and much more, are given in Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics.

Order copies today.

[i] James D. Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, Dwight R. Lee, and Tawni H. Ferrarini, Common Sense Economics, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2010, p. 26.

[ii] See Stephen McDowell, Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics, Chapter 7 for numerous governmental policies.

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No Cross, No Crown

by Stephen McDowell

In December 1668, William Penn was thrown in jail for expressing his religious views. While imprisoned for over eight months he wrote the book, No Cross, No Crown, in which he states that “Christ’s Cross is Christ’s way to Christ’s Crown.” Penn’s life is a great example of one who bore the cross and, therefore, did bear the crown. He brought the crown to millions more as well.

The Great Blessings or Crown of Christ

Christ has done many marvelous things for us. We should remember the great blessings He has brought to us personally: He has redeemed us and saved us; He has removed the burden of sin and guilt; He has healed our spirit, mind, and body; He makes us new creatures, transforming us; He refines us, washing us as white as snow; He gives us meaning and a purpose in life; He cares for us and protects us; He pours out great blessings; He provides inner peace, security, and strength; He comforts us; He draws us to Him; He fills us with life and love; He gives us eternal life — He gives us a crown of life.

The first three chapters of the book of Ephesians present many of the blessings of redemption: Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing; He chose us; He adopted us as sons; He has forgiven our trespasses; He has made known the mystery of His will; in Him we have obtained an inheritance; we have been given the Holy Spirit, have been made alive, have been raised up and are seated with Him; and through Christ we have access to the Father.

Jesus has placed a crown upon our heads, upon those who love and obey Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isa. 62:3).

Christ’s redemptive and restorative work has not only blessed individuals, but He has also brought great blessings to the world at large through His teachings and the impact His followers have had upon history. The Christian faith: lifts up all men, teaching that each individual has great value and importance because we are all made in His image; declares all men are created equal; exposes and overcomes the tyrant and oppressor; protects all men’s rights to life, liberty, and property; lifts up women and people of all nationalities; brings ideas that produce peace; produces economic, technological, and scientific advancement; presents ideas protecting freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom to pursue our future.

Nations honoring God and embracing Christian truth have been crowned with success and liberty. The Psalmist affirms that, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

The Cross: the Price of the Crown

While it is good to remember the blessings Christ has brought to men and nations – to remember that He has crowned us – and to give thanks for these blessings, we must also never forget the price paid to purchase the crown, which is the cross. He purchased us with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He lived a crucified life: He constantly gave of Himself; He was rejected and misunderstood; He was denied by friends and suffered at the hands of His enemies; He was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and eventually suffered a violent death upon a cross.

Yet, He endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). He saw the crown on the other side of the cross. A crown, not for Him for He already possessed it, but for us. This was not only a crown for the eternal hereafter, but a crown for mankind to experience here on the earth.

Jesus bore the cross that we might bear the crown! However, what was true for Him is true for us. As William Penn wrote, “Christ’s cross is Christ’s way to Christ’s crown.” Jesus taught the necessity of taking up the cross, speaking to the multitudes: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-27).

No Cross, No Crown

This truth contained in the title of Penn’s book applies to us personally, but also to the nation at large.

True Personally

Jesus taught many times that we are to take up our cross. He declared: “he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:38-39). In Mark 10:21 Jesus told the rich young ruler to “take up the cross, and follow Me.” After Jesus rebuked Peter for trying to divert Him from the cross, He told His disciples they must take up their crosses, deny themselves and follow Him (Matt. 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-38).

Paradoxically, the consequence of losing our life by taking up our cross, is finding life. As we follow Christ’s example of dying to ourselves we will experience the resurrection life of Jesus and the many corresponding blessings of obedience to Him. We receive the crown of life.

True Nationally

In Luke 14:25-33 Jesus instructed the multitudes to take up the cross. This is part of the cost of following Him. He ended His instruction on the cost of being a disciple by saying: “Salt is good; but if salt has become tasteless [lost its savor], with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:34-35). If we do not take up our cross we will become salt that is tasteless (v. 34). We will not be able to be salt to our society.

The title page to Penn’s No Cross, No Crown

Christians that are “cross-less” are “salt-less.” They no longer preserve and season the community and nation. Therefore, no crown will be placed on that people or nation.

America was birthed by Christians who took up their crosses and followed Him. Therefore, we have enjoyed the crown that comes with the cross. American exceptionalism and its many blessings came from obedience to God’s Word.^[i] However, as we have laid down the cross and turned from God (whether today or in times past), we have lost the crown and the blessings that accompany it. This has occurred in two ways:

The blessings of Christianity have diminished as the message of the cross has left a large part of the church in America. The cross is the power of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:18). If the message of the cross is not taught in the church, then the church will be salt-less, and there will be no crown.
The blessings of Christianity have diminished as the life of the cross has left believers. If the life of the cross is not in believers, then they will have a salt-less life and will not be able to bring the crown to society.

To be the salt of the earth we must take up our cross. It is hard to salt our society. Not only does it require thankless work, but it will be met with much opposition, often by those we seek to help. This was true of the early disciples as well as reformers throughout history (such as William Tyndale, the Huguenots, the Pilgrims, the Scottish Covenanters), and it is true for us today (just consider the great opposition to Christians in Muslim nations, and the less-violent assault on Christians seeking to positively influence culture in the United States and various western nations).

The colonists who took up their crosses at the time of the American Revolution (for it was a great sacrifice to perform what they considered to be their duty to God, country, and posterity) were being salt when they spoke against tyranny, fought for independence, and formed a new government. They helped to bring the crown to America – not the British crown, but rather Christ’s crown. The Father of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams, said regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and…from the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come.”^[ii] The blessings of obedience to the Word of God followed. The Founders of America bore the cross so others could bear the crown.^[iii]

What is the Cross? What does it mean to take up your cross?

In the Philippines each year some professing Christians remember and celebrate Christ’s death on the cross by choosing one person to be nailed to a cross. This is a literal crucifixion, though it is not unto death. It is considered an honor to be the chosen person because he is able to identify with Christ’s sufferings. He is paraded down the streets accompanied by many who flog themselves with whips, so they too can identify with the suffering servant. Is this what Jesus meant when he exhorted us to take up our cross? Certainly not.

When I was a young pastor working to start a new church in Atlanta in the early 1980s, my colleague, who had some radical ideas, said one day that he thought God wanted us to make a cross and carry it around the city, stopping at all the major university campuses, preaching and drawing attention to the work of Christ. While doing such a thing was contrary to my personality, I was not about to back down from the challenge, even if I was not sure that God had spoken to him. So we did it. We made a cross about eight feet tall and took a week to walk around the city. This did get a lot of attention, even making it on the local news. And God in His mercy did touch many people’s lives, in spite of our perhaps ignorant zeal.

My action in Atlanta is not really what Jesus meant when He said we are to take up our cross and follow Him. He was not speaking of a physical cross—though many of the early disciples did die by being crucified (that was a cross God called them to bear); and God perhaps called me for that week to make a physical cross and carry it (that was a cross God called me to bear). But such action is not what He calls most believers to do.

Paul, in the book of Galatians, tells us what it means to take up our cross: “Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires [the life of nature and of self] to his cross and have crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power [filled with the Spirit], let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:24-25, Living Bible).

Taking up the cross has two components:

Nailing our natural evil desires to His cross and crucifying them there.
Following the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

In Romans 8, Paul affirms that the cross is, 1) putting to death the flesh and 2) being led by the Spirit, doing His will and not our will, when he wrote, “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:13-14).

As Christians we are constantly challenged to give in to the sinful desires of the flesh. The Bible says we are to crucify these fleshly desires by nailing them to the cross, by recognizing that Christ’s death and resurrection provided a way for us to have victory over such lusts. This is one aspect of what it means to take up our cross daily.

Another aspect of taking up our cross is that we are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit whatever He may want us to do and wherever He may lead us. We must embrace His plan for our lives. We will generally enjoy His will for our lives, but sometimes walking in His plan is hard. It was not much fun for Jesus to go the way of the cross, yet He said, “Not my will but Thine be done.” Many people have embraced their cross – His will for their lives – with great hardship.

Consider the Apostle Paul, who five times received 39 lashes from the Jews, who was beaten with rods three times, was once stoned, three times shipwrecked, spending a night and a day in the deep, was imprisoned many times and often in danger of death. He says: “I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs^[iv] and By Their Blood^[v] are filled with accounts of Christians who have suffered for their faith over the centuries. Fair Sunshine^[vi] shows how the Scottish Covenanters gladly embraced God’s will for their lives, bearing their cross even unto death. The history of American colonization is largely the history of Christians who suffered hardship to follow the leading of God. The Founding Fathers readily gave their lives and fortunes to further the cause of liberty.

We have greatly benefited from the sacrifice of the pilgrims, patriots, and pioneers. They gave birth to this great nation and all the liberties we possess. In following God’s will for their lives, they suffered greatly. Yet, they gladly picked up the cross, and because they did we have experienced great blessings. A great price has been paid for our liberty – our crown.

Many Christians have suffered greatly for following Jesus, including being burnt at the stake.

As a multitude before us has done, we must take up our cross and follow Him. Aspects of taking up our crosses will be similar for each of us in that we must all put to death evil desires and the flesh. But we all have different crosses to bear. The path of following His Spirit will be different for each of us. What may be your cross, may not be someone else’s.

Your cross may involve putting to death the fear of sharing your faith, or speaking the truth, or praying. It may also be persevering in raising Godly children, or acting on social and political issues, or doing all that is necessary to fulfill God’s plan for your life and the responsibilities He has given you. The good news is that Christ bears us up as we take up our crosses—He takes up our little crosses into His cross.

William Penn’s Cross and Crown

William Penn is one of many early Americans who bore the cross as he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life. Since he was faithful to bear his cross, he not only received a crown but brought it to the nation at large as well.

[To learn of the life and work of William Penn, see No Cross, No Crown: The Life Message of William Penn]

Bear the Cross and Receive the Crown

If we faithfully bear the cross, the crown will be our possession. This truth exemplified in Penn’s life applies to us in eternity, but also here on earth. Fulfilling God’s will is a delight, but there is a price we must be willing to pay to follow Him and His plan for us. Our sacrifices can have an effect far beyond what we can imagine. Just consider the impact of William Penn or the Pilgrims or the signers of the Declaration of Independence. However, we must remember: No Cross, No Crown.

Satan will offer us a cross-less conquest as he did Jesus.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, he offered Him a kingdom without the crucifixion (Matt. 4:8-9). In response to this offer, Jesus rebuked the devil. Peter tried to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem and dying (Matt. 16:21-23). Jesus rebuked him. The people tried to make Him king (John 6:15), in essence offering him a crown without the cross. Jesus withdrew.

Satan will tell you that you do not have to take up your cross to follow Jesus, you do not have to put to death your flesh, nor follow the leading of the Spirit. People are prone to accept this offer for few are willing to die. People shrink back from pain and seek an easier way. We will avoid anything that brings discomfort. I am thankful that Jesus stayed upon the cross for me and all mankind. He was mocked and tempted to come down:

“You who destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matt. 27:40).

“He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we shall believe in Him” (Matt. 27:42).

Jesus could have come down from the cross. He could have popped out the nails, and jumped down from his place of suffering, but he endured for our benefit. He saw the joy on the other side of the cross. Just as “Christ’s cross was Christ’s way to Christ’s crown” so it is for us. Be faithful to bear your cross and He will be faithful to give you a crown, here in this life as well as the eternal hereafter. Bearing our crosses will not only bring us a crown, but it will bring a crown to many others as well.

End Notes

[i] See Stephen McDowell, The Bible: America’s Source of Law and Liberty, Charlottesville: Providence Foundation, 2016, Chapter 1 for more on American exceptionalism.

[ii] Samuel Adams, An Oration Delivered at the State-House, in Philadelphia, to a Very Numerous Audience; on Thursday the 1st of August, 1776; London, reprinted for E. Johnson, No. 4, Ludgate-Hill, 1776. See also Frank Moore, American Eloquence: A Collection of Speeches and Addresses, New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1858, Vol. 1, p. 324. (Some historians do not think Adams made these remarks, but even if this is so, the content is consistent with his beliefs and writings.)

[iii] To learn of some of those blessings see, Stephen McDowell, Monumental: Restoring America as the Land of Liberty, Libertyman Studios, 2013, Chapter 10.

[iv] Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Edited by Marie Gentert King, Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1978.

[v] James and Marti Hefley, By Their Blood, Christian Martyrs of the 20^th Century, Milford, MI: Mott Media, 1979.

[vi] Jock Purves, Fair Sunshine, Character studies of the Scottish Covenanters, Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1990.

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Our Mission to Steward the Earth

This article is an excerpt from Stephen McDowell’s new book, Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics

God created man and the earth to be productive, to be fruitful (Gen. 1:11-12, 20-22, 24, 28). After making man, both male and female, in His image,

God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1: 28, ESV).

The Hebrew word translated “subdue” is kabash, which means “to subdue, subjugate, dominate, bring into subjection.”^[i] This word is also used in reference to Israel subduing the land of Canaan so it would provide for their needs (Num. 32:22, 29; Josh. 18:1). God placed man in control of His creation as His vice-regent or steward. We are called to subdue, have dominion over, and steward the earth in order to meet our needs and advance His creation commission. All living and non-living things are under man’s dominion.

God’s creation is good because it was made by a good Creator, and the creation reflects the nature and character of the Creator (Rom. 1:20). It is also good because it enables man – God’s highest creation – to sustain himself and to progressively advance as he learns how to be a better steward. As man learns how to properly manage God’s property, he becomes more and more like God. He becomes a co-creator, taking the original creation material and using his God-given knowledge and talents to make new things that bring about the amelioration of mankind.Chapter 1 of Genesis tells us God’s creation is good – “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (v. 31). Natural resources and the earth’s productivity are good. God’s physical creation is good. That is, material wealth is good. Many religions teach otherwise, and they have suffered from lack of material well-being in part due to this incorrect belief.

Christ Restores Man’s Ability to Steward the Earth

This original creation commission or cultural mandate was impacted by the fall of man but it was not abrogated. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they (and mankind in general) lost both their intimate relationship with God and their ability to properly steward the earth. Sin not only separated man from God but also brought a curse and great loss. Man was unable to properly fulfill the cultural mandate.

God’s redemptive nature is evident early on. After man fell from what God made him to be and to do, God planned both to redeem man and to restore man’s delegated authority and stewardship over the earth. God promised that the seed of woman would destroy the serpent, Satan (Gen. 3:15). Christ was that seed who came to redeem man and reverse the effects of the fall and the curse. He restored to man the ability to fulfill the mission originally given to Adam and also made it possible for man to once again have a personal relationship with God.

The story of redemption unfolds in the various covenants which God initiated with men. The giving of the law in the Mosaic Covenant was also used by God to further His redemptive program. Of course, God’s redemptive purpose has found ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant through Christ, who was slain and by whose blood God has redeemed men for himself “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

The complete purpose of salvation in Christ cannot be understood unless we understand the original purpose of man. Salvation goes beyond getting men to heaven. It includes restoring man to his original position. Christ brought to man the restoration of the covenant he had with God, of the glory he had from God, and of the dominion mandate. Jesus also brought His kingdom rule and reign to all creation. He proclaimed and demonstrated the gospel of the Kingdom (that is, the government, righteousness, truth, and peace of God in all areas of life).^[ii]

His atoning work also reversed the curse due to the fall of man. The curse affects individuals through death, sickness, and bondage, and in turn also affects all spheres of life. Christ brought redemption to individuals, but also institutions and all spheres of life (including law, government, education, arts, and business). Redemption is as broad as the sweep of sin.

God’s desire, as Jesus taught us to pray, is for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-13). We have been redeemed for a purpose. In Christ we have been restored to sonship and are now in a position to obey both the cultural and the evangelistic mandates. With respect to the cultural mandate, God has restored us to stewardship. Through Christ we are called back to God’s original purpose—to live in His image and to “be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over … every living creature that moves on the ground” (Gen. 1:28). We have been restored to serving God as his vice-regent over the earth. We have been enabled to steward the earth in accordance with God’s original design.

Faith and the Economy

The theology of a people determines their economic condition. The choices men and leaders make come from their view of God and His laws. Man apart from God is lost. His sinful state affects how he thinks and acts. Unregenerate man tends not to recognize the most obvious truths. This is why many people today embrace socialism even though there are no examples currently or in times past where it has worked. It does not bring advancement to man, only lack and bondage.

Economic systems (as well as political, educational, familial, and scientific systems) ultimately rest upon faith, upon a people’s theological suppositions. One’s theological beliefs determine his worldview (his view of God, man, truth, family, government, education, history and all of life). One’s worldview determines his political philosophy, and one’s political philosophy determines one’s economic philosophy which determines the systems and policies established in a nation. To summarize:

Theology —–>>> Worldview ——>>> Polity ——->>> Economy

Political philosophy affects economics because the government is the house in which the economy lives. A biblical form of government is essential for the best economic system. The limited but important function of government regarding economic matters will be addressed in more detail later, but simply stated, the role of government is to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. It is to keep the market free and fair. It is to provide a peaceful environment so that man can most effectively steward the earth. President Grover Cleveland explained the limited function of government: “Though the people support the government the government should not support the people.”^[iii]

Government exercises force, while the economic sphere relies upon voluntary cooperation. Eternal vigilance over our government is necessary for economic freedom. Left alone, the tendency is for governmental power to increase. Thomas Jefferson said, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”^[iv] As the size and power of government grows, individual liberties are lost. A biblical economic system cannot be maintained without a biblical governmental system.

To learn what a biblical economic system looks like see, Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics

End Notes

Chapter 1

[i] Strong’s Concordance, kabash (no. 3533), Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010, p. 269.

[ii] See Stephen McDowell, The Kingdom of God, Charlottesville: Providence Foundation, 2012.

[iii] Tom Rose, Economics: Principles and Policy From a Christian Perspective, Mercer, Penn.: American Enterprise Publications, 1996, p. 83.

[iv] Rose, p. 73.

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