Government / Law / Politics / Civics
Government, Law, and Politics from a Christian Worldview
Government is not merely a matter of political parties, elections, legislation, and public policy. It is fundamentally a question of authority.
Who has the right to rule?
What is the proper purpose of government?
What limits should be placed upon civil authority?
What rights do human beings possess?
Where do those rights come from?
What is the relationship between God, the individual, the family, the church, and the state?
What happens when human government claims authority that belongs to God?
These are ultimately worldview questions.
A Christian understanding of government begins with the sovereignty of God. Scripture teaches that God is the ultimate source of authority and that human government is accountable to Him. Civil rulers possess legitimate authority, but they are not autonomous. They are themselves subject to God’s moral law and judgment.
The Bible also recognizes legitimate civil authority while placing important limits upon it. Government has a responsibility to punish wrongdoing, protect the innocent, preserve public order, and administer justice. At the same time, Scripture recognizes other God-ordained institutions, including the family and the church.
Christian political thought therefore requires more than choosing candidates or political parties. Christians should learn to evaluate political philosophies, laws, public policies, constitutions, and government institutions according to biblical principles.
The resources below provide information concerning constitutional government, religious liberty, parental rights, public policy, Christian political thought, civic education, legal defense, criminal justice, and Christian engagement in the public square.
Biblical Foundations for Government
God Is the Ultimate Authority
God is the supreme ruler over individuals, families, churches, nations, and governments.
“The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”
Psalm 103:19
Human government therefore possesses delegated rather than ultimate authority.
Government Has a Legitimate God-Given Role
Romans 13 teaches that civil authorities have a legitimate role in restraining evil and promoting public order.
“For he is God’s servant for your good.”
Romans 13:4
Government is not inherently evil. The question is whether government is fulfilling its legitimate God-given responsibilities.
Government Is Accountable to God
Civil rulers are not morally autonomous.
Psalm 2 warns kings and rulers to recognize the authority of God. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the heart of a king is ultimately under God’s sovereign authority.
Government Must Protect Justice
Government is called to punish wrongdoing and protect those who are vulnerable.
“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:9
Human Government Has Limits
When civil authorities command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, Christians must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29
This principle provides an important biblical foundation for religious liberty and conscientious resistance to unjust government demands.
Christian Legal and Religious Liberty Organizations
Alliance Defending Freedom
Alliance Defending Freedom is one of the largest Christian legal organizations defending religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, the sanctity of human life, marriage and family, and other constitutional freedoms. ADF engages in litigation, legal advocacy, and public policy and has represented cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts.
American Center for Law & Justice
The American Center for Law & Justice provides legal advocacy concerning religious liberty, free speech, constitutional rights, and other issues affecting Christians and people of faith. The ACLJ litigates cases and engages in public advocacy in the United States and internationally.
First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a Christian legal organization specializing in religious liberty. Its work includes cases involving religious expression, churches, Christian employees, students, military personnel, public officials, and parental rights. First Liberty currently has multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and continues to litigate religious-liberty cases nationwide.
Liberty Counsel
Liberty Counsel is a Christian legal organization providing legal assistance and public advocacy concerning religious liberty, life, family, education, free speech, and constitutional rights.
Pacific Justice Institute
Pacific Justice Institute is a Christian legal defense organization specializing in religious freedom, parental rights, churches, and civil liberties. It provides legal assistance without charge and operates a nationwide network of offices and attorneys.
National Legal Foundation
The National Legal Foundation is a Christian legal organization providing legal advocacy, constitutional analysis, and public-policy resources concerning religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, and other constitutional issues. Its First Principles Institute also develops resources concerning the foundational principles of American government. The organization remains active in current constitutional litigation.
Foundation for Moral Law
The Foundation for Moral Law is a Christian legal organization dedicated to defending religious liberty and constitutional government. It describes its work as defending the Constitution according to the intent of its Framers and explicitly grounds its work in biblical truth, the sovereignty of God, and the moral law.
The Rutherford Institute
The Rutherford Institute is a nonprofit civil-liberties organization founded by constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead. It provides legal services and public education concerning constitutional and human-rights issues. The Institute describes itself as nonpartisan and apolitical and focuses broadly on individual liberty, constitutional government, and the rule of law.
Christian Public Policy and Family Advocacy
Family Research Council
Family Research Council is a Christian public-policy organization addressing issues involving family, marriage, life, religious liberty, education, parental rights, and government. FRC seeks to bring Christian principles into public-policy discussions and legislative debates.
Family Policy Alliance
Family Policy Alliance is a faith-based organization focused on civic engagement and public policy concerning life, family, religious freedom, parental rights, and education. It works through a network of state-based Family Policy Councils and trains Christians for civic engagement and public service. Its current leadership is headed by Craig DeRoche.
American Family Association
American Family Association is a Christian organization engaged in public policy, cultural issues, media analysis, and advocacy concerning marriage, family, religious liberty, education, and biblical morality.
Concerned Women for America
Concerned Women for America is a Christian public-policy organization addressing issues involving family, women, children, religious liberty, education, sexuality, and government policy. Its current work includes policy advocacy, research, voter engagement, and public education.
Christian Coalition of America
Christian Coalition of America is a Christian-oriented grassroots organization that seeks to mobilize Christians for civic and political engagement. It provides information concerning public policy and encourages citizens to participate in the political process.
Citizens for Traditional Values
Citizens for Traditional Values is a Michigan-based organization addressing public policy and cultural issues from a traditional-values perspective. Its resources focus on issues affecting families, morality, education, and government.
Christian Government and Statesmanship
Center for Christian Statesmanship
The Center for Christian Statesmanship equips Christians serving in government with biblical discipleship, encouragement, leadership development, and practical support. Its mission is specifically focused on legislators, government staff, and others serving in positions of influence and authority. The Center is currently led by Dr. Rob Pacienza, who also serves as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.
Institute for Principle Studies
The Institute for Principle Studies is a Christian discipleship ministry teaching a biblical understanding of government. It emphasizes the proper roles of family government, church government, and civil government and teaches principles including limited government, rule of law, private property, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and sphere sovereignty.
Salt & Light Global
Salt & Light Global is a Christian organization dedicated to equipping believers to engage faithfully in the public square. Its work includes constitutional and civic education, legal advocacy, public-policy engagement, leadership development, religious liberty, parental rights, human dignity, and good governance.
Salt & Light Global also operates the Great Lakes Justice Center, which provides legal advocacy concerning constitutional governance, religious liberty, parental rights, human dignity, and other fundamental freedoms. Its Sentinel initiative provides legislative tracking and civic education from a biblical worldview.
Student Statesmanship Institute
Student Statesmanship Institute provides hands-on biblical worldview and leadership training for high school students. Its programs simulate professional experiences in law, public policy, legislative affairs, business, journalism, media, and political campaigns while emphasizing biblical principles and Christian character. SSI is particularly useful for students considering careers in government and public service.
TeenPact
TeenPact trains young people to understand the political process, value liberty, defend the Christian faith, and engage culture. Its hands-on state programs serve students ages 8-19 and give students opportunities to interact with government and develop leadership skills while receiving Christian discipleship and worldview training.
Patriot Academy
Patriot Academy provides constitutional, civic, leadership, and government training for young people and adults. Its programs seek to equip Christians and other citizens to understand America’s founding principles, the Constitution, government, and civic responsibility. Founder and president Rick Green is a former Texas state representative and lawyer.
Parental Rights and Educational Freedom
Heritage Defense
Heritage Defense provides legal protection and advocacy for Christian homeschooling families. Its attorneys defend parental rights and provide legal research, information, and assistance concerning homeschooling and family-related issues. Heritage Defense explicitly grounds its work in biblical standards and methodology.
Home School Legal Defense Association
HSLDA is a national organization defending the legal right of parents to homeschool their children. Its work includes legal assistance, legislative advocacy, research, and educational resources concerning parental rights and educational freedom.
Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens
This HSLDA Academy course provides instruction in constitutional law and civic principles. It is particularly useful for Christian families and students seeking a deeper understanding of the Constitution and the American legal system.
Master Books: Civics and the Constitution
Master Books provides Christian curriculum addressing government, civics, the Constitution, and American history. Its materials are designed to integrate academic subjects with a biblical worldview.
Christian Justice and Criminal Justice
Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship is a Christian ministry serving incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people, their families, and communities while advocating for criminal-justice reform. Its advocacy work addresses sentencing, prison conditions, reentry, restoration, and second chances. The organization remains highly active in public policy and federal criminal-justice initiatives.
Prison Fellowship’s approach is significant for Christian worldview studies because it combines justice with human dignity, accountability, restoration, and the possibility of redemption.
Christian Civic and Cultural Engagement
Save America Ministries
Save America Ministries, founded by attorney and pastor Charles Crismier, seeks to encourage spiritual renewal, biblical discipleship, moral responsibility, and civic engagement. Its materials examine the relationship between Christian faith, national morality, government, and public life. The ministry remains active through its broadcasting, publishing, and educational work.
Center for Christian Statesmanship
The Center for Christian Statesmanship provides another model of Christian civic engagement by focusing specifically on discipling believers who work within government. Its emphasis is not merely political activism but the integration of Christian faith and vocation.
Historical and Foundational Resources
WallBuilders
WallBuilders researches and teaches concerning America’s Christian history, founding documents, constitutional government, and the influence of biblical principles upon American institutions. Its resources include historical documents, books, lectures, and educational materials.
God in Government
God in Government is a Christian resource devoted to the relationship between biblical principles and civil government. Because the site contains older material and is less current than many of the organizations above, it is best treated as a supplementary resource.
Constitution Party
The Constitution Party is a political party rather than a Christian ministry. It is included as a political resource because of its emphasis on constitutional government, limited government, and its stated commitment to biblical and constitutional principles. ChristianWorldview.net does not endorse political parties simply by listing them.
Government, Law, and the Christian Worldview
Christians should avoid two opposite errors when thinking about government.
The first is political idolatry: treating political leaders, political parties, elections, or government institutions as the ultimate hope for society.
The second is political withdrawal: assuming that Christians have no responsibility to seek justice, defend the vulnerable, participate in civil society, or serve faithfully in government.
Biblical Christianity rejects both extremes.
God is sovereign over nations, but He calls people to act faithfully within the institutions and responsibilities He has given them.
Christians should therefore seek to understand government without worshiping it, participate in politics without making politics an idol, defend liberty without confusing liberty with autonomy, and pursue justice without assuming that political power can ultimately transform the human heart.
The Proper Role of Government
A Christian evaluation of government should consider questions such as:
- What is government’s God-given purpose?
- What authority does government possess?
- What authority does government not possess?
- What is the proper relationship between the individual and the state?
- What authority has God given to parents?
- What authority has God given to the church?
- What responsibilities belong uniquely to civil government?
- What is the biblical meaning of justice?
- What does Scripture teach about punishment?
- What does Scripture teach about protecting innocent life?
- What is the proper relationship between civil law and morality?
- What happens when human law conflicts with God’s law?
- What are the proper limits of taxation?
- What does Scripture teach about private property?
- What does biblical justice require of rulers?
- What is the relationship between liberty and responsibility?
These questions help Christians move beyond partisan politics and begin evaluating government according to principles rather than personalities.
Law and Morality
Law is never completely separated from morality.
Every legal system must answer questions about what constitutes harm, justice, rights, responsibility, personhood, property, family, and legitimate authority.
A society cannot avoid moral judgments simply by claiming that its laws are “secular.” Even laws that attempt to exclude religious reasoning must still rest upon assumptions about what human beings are, what they are entitled to, and what government should permit or prohibit.
A Christian worldview recognizes that God’s moral law provides an objective standard by which human laws can be evaluated.
This does not mean that every biblical command should simply be converted into civil legislation. Christians must distinguish between the responsibilities of individuals, families, churches, and civil governments.
The task of Christian political thought is therefore not merely to ask, “What law should we pass?” It is first to ask, “What has God entrusted government to do?”
Religious Liberty
Religious liberty is closely connected to the Christian understanding of limited government.
The state does not own the conscience.
Christians are commanded to worship God, proclaim the gospel, and obey Scripture. Government may legitimately regulate conduct in areas within its jurisdiction, but it should not assume authority over the conscience or compel citizens to affirm beliefs contrary to their convictions.
This is why religious-liberty organizations play such an important role in Christian civic engagement.
Christian Citizenship
Christians are called to be faithful citizens while remembering that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven.
This means Christians should:
- Pray for rulers.
- Obey legitimate civil authority.
- Pay lawful taxes.
- Participate responsibly in civic life.
- Seek justice.
- Defend the vulnerable.
- Speak truth to those in authority.
- Vote and participate in elections according to conscience.
- Serve in government when appropriately called.
- Defend religious liberty.
- Teach the next generation about government and civic responsibility.
- Refuse to place ultimate hope in political power.
The goal is not simply to produce Christians who know how government works.
The goal is to produce Christians who understand why government exists, who has authority over it, what its limits are, and how believers should faithfully serve Christ in the public square.
Key Biblical Passages
Romans 13:1-7
The authority and responsibilities of civil government.
Acts 5:29
The obligation to obey God rather than men when human authority contradicts God’s commands.
Psalm 2
The sovereignty of God over kings and nations.
Psalm 72
The responsibility of rulers to administer justice and defend the poor.
Proverbs 14:34
The relationship between righteousness and the moral health of a nation.
Proverbs 29:2
The consequences of righteous and wicked rule.
Proverbs 31:8-9
The responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
The Christian responsibility to pray for rulers.
Matthew 22:21
The distinction between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God.
Philippians 3:20
The Christian’s ultimate citizenship in heaven.
Studying Government from a Christian Worldview
A Christian approach to government should go deeper than asking which political party is right.
Instead, Christians should learn to identify the assumptions beneath political ideas.
When evaluating a political philosophy, ask:
What does this philosophy believe about God?
What does it believe about human nature?
Where does it believe rights come from?
What does it believe government is for?
What limits does it place upon government?
What does it believe about private property?
What does it believe about family authority?
What does it believe about religious liberty?
What does it believe about justice?
What does it believe about human equality?
What does it believe about freedom?
What happens when its principles are consistently applied?
The Christian should then compare those assumptions with Scripture and seek to apply biblical principles faithfully.
The goal is not to baptize a political party or ideology.
The goal is to think biblically about government and then act faithfully within the responsibilities God has given us.