How to Think About Government

Overarching theme: Political authority is a representative of God but can become a blasphemous idol.

Key concepts to cover:

• Political authority (in some sense) not a result of the Fall
• Political authority (in the full sense) made necessary by the Fall
• Political authority is a sign of God’s mercy to us in a violent world
• Political authority is a providential provision of God
• However, the particular forms and personal of government are a matter of human institution.
• Government will abuse its authority.
• Submission should be our default posture in relation to government (not our only posture, but our default).
• Political authority can become demonic, blasphemous, and idolatrous (highlight connection between political and angelic authority)