This article was originally published in January of 2000. I am reposting it here to keep it online on an active server.

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The Bible On Government

Political Commentary by Adam Valle

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According to Edmund Burke, "The only way for evil triumph is for good men to do nothing."

I was just reading Proverbs 14:19, "The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous."

This verse seems indicate the positive side to Edmund Burke's famous quotation.

When the good are involved in governing, the wicked will cooperate (whether by force or by reason, they will cooperate with the rule of righteous law). When good men fail to govern morally, evil will rule.

I'm convinced that the reason hedonists have such a strong influence upon Congress and other branches of government on all levels is because believers have left a political void for the wicked to fill. This theory, as put forth by Burke, appears to be rooted in Proverbs 14:19.

Verses 22, 23, and 34 also attest to the positive effects of God's people being involved in government. Though these truths certainly apply to other spheres of life, there is enough context in the chapter to indicate that they most certainly can be applied to the political realm.

"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them
that devise good.

"In all labour there is profit: but the talk of lips tendeth only to
penury.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

My conclusion from this is that Solomon is teaching that God's people need to be pro-actively involved in government in order to keep evil in subjection. To do any less is to allow the wicked to have unfettered control of society. For Christians, who are aware of how Biblical morality needs to be applied in government, to avoid getting involved would be sin according to James 4:17.