–– Mark Christopher

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Reflecting on South Africa’s elections three months ago, I am reminded of how much we hear the word “democracy” in South Africa. The preamble of the South African Constitution includes the clause that says South Africa will be “a society based on democratic values.” The real question for Christians is, how biblical is democracy? Winston Churchill famously said, “Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…” 

So, what does the Bible say about various forms of government? The short answer is that it doesn’t prescribe any particular form of government, democracy or otherwise. Ancient Israel, operating under the Mosaic Covenant, had a theocracy with a human monarch as God’s representative. In the New Testament, though, the church is under the New Covenant and is distinct from ancient Israel. The only thing said about government is that God ordains it to reward good while punishing evil. Therefore, believers are to submit to the governing powers. 

A simple definition of democracy is “rule by the majority.” It is distinct from a republic, which is technically the form of government in the United States. In a republic, the individual votes directly for the representative that best approximates his beliefs and values. By contrast, in a democracy, the people vote for the party, not the person of their choice. In a republic, the citizen is said to have “inalienable rights,” but in a democracy, the rights of the minority can be eliminated by the majority. 

There are some similarities between both forms of government. Yet, both are subject to corruption. As Aristotle once said, “Republics decline into democracies, and democracies degenerate into despotisms.” In the end, democracy’s success depends on an informed electorate. This explains why we currently see democracies around the world crumbling and tending toward tyranny and globalist totalitarianism. Democracies are dashing toward the cliff of tyranny because of ignorance on the part of the electorate.

Based on recent history, democracy seems to work best when Christian morals and ethics influence it. Christian morals give democracy the strength it needs to succeed. It has always been wrong to lie, cheat, steal, divorce, murder, and commit acts of violence. A nation holding some essential moral absolutes will thrive where others fail. But when a government diminishes Christianity and exchanges moral absolutes for moral relativism, that nation will inevitably slide into despotism and tyranny.

Democracy with an atheistic secular base ultimately fails because the intrinsic value of humanity is rejected. After all, if human life is nothing more than accidentally organized pond scum, then human life has no dignity and no meaning. If God is denied, so is the image of God in man. Democracy in the context of Hinduism promotes the caste system, which contradicts the democratic value of human equality. In an Islamic state, democracy is stifled by the unity between the state and Islamic dogma, which strives for Sharia law. In contrast, Christianity and democracy are compatible, though not the same. When the Judeo-Christian ethic is present, the laws of that society will reflect it. This is the best safeguard for individual freedom and liberty to flourish.

While there is much that could be said on the subject of democracy and its relationship to Christianity, here are a few biblically related thoughts: 

1. Christians should not see a democratic government as an answer for all that ails our fallen world. We should be gospel-focused, understanding that our spiritual forebearers lived for Christ under various forms of government, both good and bad. That said, God ordains government, so it is not unimportant. 

2. Because government is God-ordained, Christians should inform themselves about the party for which to vote in a democratic society. It has been said that political leaders reflect those who voted for them. What does that say about South Africa, especially considering all the violent crime and corruption? Proverbs 14:15 declares, “The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” There is no excuse for Christian ignorance. So, the sober-minded believer will take the time and trouble to become more informed about the various parties and their respective issues.

3. A believer’s theological and spiritual stance will influence their politics, so know your Bible and how it relates to issues like abortion, economics, the government’s role, LGBTQIA+ issues, religious liberty, and the cascade of concerns we encounter. One’s faith is not meant to be compartmentalized from the other spheres of day-to-day life. 

4. When tyranny and despotism arise, speak and teach against them. When Israel sinned in the Old Testament, God raised prophets to warn and admonish the people and the leaders. In a society claiming to be democratic, there is a place for church leaders to inform their flock biblically about the dangers up ahead and speak to governmental leaders if they can. When Hosea warned ancient Israel, he lamented that the people were “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” The word of God must come to bear on the political, moral, and ethical dangers of the day. All with a gospel emphasis. 

5. In a democratic society, believers and churches have legal recourse against the state. While Christians should not sue one another and take one another to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), there may be times when suing the state becomes necessary. 

6. Christians are never called to be revolutionaries or anarchists. Instead, we are called to be reformers and messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should pray for kings and all who are in authority to maintain the liberty necessary for the furtherance of the gospel.  

7. Finally, in a fallen and cursed world, remember that no form of human government can bring heaven to earth. Utopia does not exist in this life. So, thank God for the freedoms and liberty we presently enjoy and exercise them to point others to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!