God and Government: Biblical Principles for Today: an Introduction and Resource

Synopsis: Ours is a time of rapid cultural change with new economic challenges. People look to their governments for leadership and solutions. But what can and should government do to meet the difficulties that beset a nation? What can citizens expect from their elected representatives? What is reasonable? And what should citizens do? What are their responsibilities? This book addresses such fundamental issues through the eyes of Scripture and against the backdrop of North America's dual heritage of Christianity and humanism. Government, politics, and the Bible do not seem like a good mix. But as this book aims to show, the Bible has much wisdom to teach us about the place and role of government and its citizens. Biblical principles work because God knows how his world and his servant governments are supposed to function. After all, he ordained the governing authorities, and the principles enunciated in his Word are timeless and remain practical. This book introduces fundamental biblical principles that apply to government and politics. The intent is to inform and to motivate the reader to get involved where possible in the political processes of the day. Our legislators need the input and help from their knowledgable Christian constituents. Endorsements: "This book is a clear, crisp, and comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of law, politics, and society viewed in biblical perspective. It is a natural for the college and Sunday school classroom, and for any person of faith interested in probing the wisdom of the Reformed Christian tradition." -John Witte Jr. Emory University "With this volume, church leaders and members alike hold in their hands a solid and satisfying primer providing Christian perspective and principles for social responsibility in today's world. This work will be especially useful for study groups and personal reflection, and from it every follower of Jesus Christ will receive helpful biblical orientation to issues that affect all of us who are citizens of Christ's kingdom seeking to live under his authority in all of life. Warmly recommended!" -Nelson D. Kloosterman Worldview Resources International Author Biography: Cornelis Van Dam (ThD, Theological University of Kampen) is Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the author of The Elder: Today's Ministry Rooted in all of Scripture (2009).