Unavoidable Theocracy

Introduction

For as long as humans have existed, they have gathered themselves into tribes, expanded tribes into nations, formed armies, waged war against other nations, demanded that defeated nations submit to their rule, and expanded their kingdoms as all of these have been accomplished. Almost without exception, a nation/kingdom will do this in the name of and for the glory of their god. Part of their dominion over other nations/kingdoms has included requiring their defeated enemies to also submit to and glorify their god.

This is human history. But where does it come from? Why have humans operated this way for as long as they have existed on this earth?

The one true King

There is a God, one true living God. He is the Creator of all things, and He is infinite in power and knowledge. He is also a King who rules over every square inch of this Universe. He rules over every creature and every sphere of earthly existence. This King is Yahweh. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

This King, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has chosen to set His affection on a particular people strewn across space and time, and He has made them citizens of His Kingdom. He has brought them into His family, and He has made them His own treasured possession. As His subjects, they submit to His rule and they advance His Kingdom in every age across time.

This is why men have gathered themselves in kingdoms and attempted to expand their kingdoms through the defeat of other ones because whether they know it or not, they are merely trying to mimic what is a feeble and perverted version of what is true concerning the only true King, the Lord.

They are attempting to build for themselves what belongs only to God – supreme rule over people and supreme reign as King. They can’t help it. Built into the human being is the realization that they must submit to a King. The problem is when men claim that kingship for themselves.

This, by the way, is why everyone is an evangelist, each to their own god. This is why everyone seeks to make proselytes to their kingdom. God requires His people to be a light to the world and direct people everywhere to the King of kings. So, when people settle for a lesser king and a lesser kingdom, they too plead with people to submit. Every person is in the business of expanding the kingdom under which they exist – don’t let anyone tell you any differently.

The king and his laws

What we’re talking about here is Theocracy. Let me offer a simple definition. A Theocracy is a nation where the supreme head of that nation is a god and it is ruled by that god’s divine law.

For the Jews in the Old Testament, this was Yahweh through His appointed king and directed by His Laws and Commands. For Muslims, it is a nation that subscribes to Sharia Law and is ruled by Allah. Some would say that for the Christian, it is a nation governed exclusively by the Bible with Christ as the King.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that theocracies only exist within clearly-defined religious systems. No, everyone is trying to advance their own kingdom and their theocracy, or they are trying to maintain their theocracy through violence, coercion, or persuasion. Everyone is theocratic – it’s only really a matter of which ‘god’ rules.

Everyday Theocracy

You might think I am either over-simplifying theocracies, or I am confusing terms and definitions. I can assure you that everyone has a god, everyone exists in their god’s kingdom, and everyone wants everyone else to submit to their god’s laws. For some, that god is the State. For others, it’s environmentalism, or more specifically, climate alarmism. For many, it is bowing to the god of self. Everyone has a god, and every god has laws and commands that must be obeyed.

You see, Theocracy is unavoidable. Let’s use, as an example, the State. For those who worship the state as god, they receive from that god, by way of his prophets (the media), all that their god would have them do. They also receive, by way of his priests (health officials), what they must do in order to be clean and righteous. They have holy books (mandates and guidelines), a catechism (slogans and memes), and an evangelistic process (guilting the non-compliant). State-worshippers are ruled by their god and require everyone else to do likewise. It’s religious!

Just accept it

A nation will always be governed by laws. A kingdom will always have rules that allow that kingdom to function and endure. If a theocracy is unavoidable, then why not just be honest about that reality? Why not say that if any god is to rule it must be the one true and living God? Why not take the Law of the Lord, which is good, pure, true, and perfect, and structure a nation around those laws and commands? Christians have to stop feeling ashamed for wanting our nation to bow to Christ. Everyone wants their god to rule; we just happen to worship the only God that actually exists.

Our country would be better if murderers of babies were executed by the State – fact! Our country would be better if the profaning of marriage was against the law – fact! Our country would be better if God’s precepts shaped our legal, judicial, education, and law enforcement systems – fact! We’d be better off if we just admitted these truths and worked to bring all things under the Lordship of our great Saviour and King, Jesus Christ!