Or something.

That is what we will see, eventually, and perhaps even in the USA if the Lord shows such mercy to us. But are Monica Goodling and the other “cells” really a step towards this? Goodling, a graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University, coordinated the firings of US Attorneys who were investigating corruption scandals, declined to testify before Congress citing her Fifth Amendment right, and later resigned. Sounds like business as usual for the Bush administration, and hardly a step towards Theocracy, unless the “θεος” in question is the almighty State.

So what of these many Christians, even homeschoolers, graduating from Regent, Liberty, Patrick Henry College, etc. with a vision to go into Government and Christianize it?

In an audio interview with Dr. Kevin Clauson, Chris Ortiz asks about why these schools are “manufacturing bureaucrats”. Their conclusion is that it is passion about Christian legislation and political involvement over and above being passionate about Christian limited government, recognizing that a biblical government must be severely limited in what it does, and what its scope and size should be.

So what would a triple-TR (thoroughly, tenaciously(?), totally, reformed) biblical view of civil government look like, and how would it contrast to what has the humanists and the “progressive” “Christians” scared?

The “Impending Theocracy of Doom™” that has people scared seems to consist of:

1. Republicans
2. Large, powerful churches and parachurch organizations.
3. State control over every area of life.
4. A militaristic, or at least militant, takeover of the existing government.
5. Government funding for Christianity-related programs in schools, clinics, etc.

But a biblical view of civil government:

1. Would not be a Movement. It wouldn’t be an ism.
2. Recognizes that all power and authority is from God, and God ordained. All rebellion and takeover is out of the question.
3. Recognizes that God has ordained different spheres of government: self, family, church, civil. Each has their own limited sphere.
4. Recognizes that religion and state cannot be separated, that there will be one god or another worshipped and obeyed in the public square. God alone must have that position, and the only “separation between church and state” is that of the separate callings and responsibilities between civil government (state) as contrasted with church government.
5. Recognizes that civil government is not about centralized power, but about limited power, and separated powers, because man is inherently sinful and corrupt. Therefore, it is not focussed upon national office.
6. Recognizes that the limited scope of punishment for lawbreaking, leaves to God to exact His greater and more just judgement upon all sin.
7. Recognizes that serving as a leader is a noble and godly calling, for godly men, and one to take seriously and prepare for.
8. Recognizes that while it is the responsibility of individuals to spread the seed of the Gospel, and of the church to preach the Word faithfully, that God the Holy Spirit is responsible for the conversion of those who are Christ’s, and not the responsibility of the civil government or any other entity.
9. Recognizes that salvation is alone in Christ and not in any work of man, such as the civil government. Therefore, trust will not be placed inappropriately in the government.

Sadly, most Christians in the US seem to see having a Christian influence over the present government to be a worthwhile goal, or even an end in itself. This is most counter-productive to the actual work which should be done in the area of civil government. We should be concerned about this continuing “conservativism”, not because it will bring in a Theocracy, but because it will bring more and more oppressive anti-biblical government. May the Lord open the eyes of those that are His so that they see the tower of Babel they are building.

What has these folks worried? Another author is concerned that “Dark clouds are gathering over the political landscape of this country.” in the form of a mercenary army which will supposedly set up.. a theocracy? The other continues with some other interesting quotes, including some discussion of the “lesser magistrate” concept.

The disconnect here is that the lesser magistrate concept applies to armed resistance of evil and protection against tyranny. It doesn’t mean that you have the OK to start an armed “revolution” just because you found someone in government who supports you, or for any other reason.

But these are Statists, and the only 2 and 2 they will put together is a focus on the State. That’s why they expect revolution. Jesus rebukes revolutionary thinking quite soundly:

And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. ”Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?“ Matt. 26:51-53

Christ is the one who has all authority. And His chosen means of dominion and conversion, individually and as nations, is the sword of the Word.

Lord Willing, I will be discussing the B. A. T. event here and link to some interesting posts