Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 102:405 (Jan 1945)
Article: Political Duties of Christians
Author: Edward W. Hooker

BSac 102:405 (Jan 45) p. 93

Political Duties of Christians

Edward W. Hooker

(Concluded from the October-December Number, 1944)

But the duties of the Christian citizen do not all lie even here. Prayer and faith are only preparations to act. God has said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation,” “Keep therefore and do my statutes, for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” That prevalence of holiness as constituting national character, to which the Bible calls, is not only to be asked in prayer by Christians but promoted by their doing almost uncounted duties as citizens. A nation like ours should know that holy men are among them by the untiring diligence, the unflinching boldness, the conscientious faithfulness and the hearty goodwill with which Christians, as citizens, shall do every good work and answer every obligation. God said to His people of old, “Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives; and pray unto the Lord for it, for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”

The Christian under such a form of government as ours should consider himself bound in conscience to exercise his rights as an elector, with his fellow citizens at large. That direction of God to Moses may be properly taken as a guide to every freeman, “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them [i.e., the nation] to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens.” He is to interest himself in seeking, with his fellow citizens, for men of the right qualifications for office, in all its ranks, men of talents,

BSac 102:405 (Jan 45) p. 94

disinterestedness, integrity, piety, as those from whom may be expected the most upright administration of government. The religion of no man excuses him from this duty. The more conscientious and devout his piety, the better is he fitted to contribute his efforts for bringing into places of trust good men. On the day of election he is out of his place, even in his closet, if he is thus neglecting his duties as an elector. He should pray on such days, it is true, but he should act also. He should go forth and be the Christian in the elective assembly. If there be unprincipled and wicked men, seeking to carry plans which would be unfriendly to sound morals and the religion of the gospel, they should be made to know that the energy of moral principle is not to be derided nor good men driven into corners, but that Christian principle will put itself forth to frustrate the counsels of licentiousness and that good men will leave nothing...