M'Cheyne: 1 Chr 21 (text | audio, 4:56 min)
1 Ptr 2 (text | audio, 3:29 min)
Highlighted Text: 1 Ptr 2:13-14
1 Ptr 2 (text | audio, 3:29 min)
Highlighted Text: 1 Ptr 2:13-14
State: In medieval times, people believed that God mediated his sovereignty of the different spheres--family, state, church, education, science--through the institution of the church and, therefore, the church sponsored the arts (for example) and controlled the state. In the 1880s, however, Abraham Kuyper argued that each sphere stood coram deo--that is, face before God. God, he argued, is sovereign above all spheres and these spheres draw their own derivative sovereignty from the Lord Himself. This is how we encounter the sovereignty of God in the social order, as "his sovereign authority is exercised inhuman office."
Functions: The state, Kuyper argues, is a special sphere that "gives stability to the land by justice." [1] It has three functions: (1) to mediate between the spheres, e.g., "the family hour" on primetime television was instituted by the state as a negotiation between the family and the media, (2) to protect oppressed individuals within a sphere, e.g., "the minimum wage" was instituted by the state to protect workers within a sphere, (3) to provide for the common good and stability of the people, e.g., roads, police, etc.
Subject: Here, in 1 Peter 2, Peter encouraged his readers to honor the state: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to the governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good." [2] Peter recognized that the Lord, having vested authority in the state, calls his people--who are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession"--to honor the state as a proclamation of the excellencies of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, Rather than merely creating this world and then stepping away, you have chosen to govern your creation through us, your image-bearers, as viceroys. We recognize, however, that sin has distorted not only how we govern, but also how we are governed. Through Christ, you have shown us what submission to and honor of authority looks like. Teach us to love others, fear you, and honor the state. Amen.
Functions: The state, Kuyper argues, is a special sphere that "gives stability to the land by justice." [1] It has three functions: (1) to mediate between the spheres, e.g., "the family hour" on primetime television was instituted by the state as a negotiation between the family and the media, (2) to protect oppressed individuals within a sphere, e.g., "the minimum wage" was instituted by the state to protect workers within a sphere, (3) to provide for the common good and stability of the people, e.g., roads, police, etc.
Subject: Here, in 1 Peter 2, Peter encouraged his readers to honor the state: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to the governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good." [2] Peter recognized that the Lord, having vested authority in the state, calls his people--who are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession"--to honor the state as a proclamation of the excellencies of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, Rather than merely creating this world and then stepping away, you have chosen to govern your creation through us, your image-bearers, as viceroys. We recognize, however, that sin has distorted not only how we govern, but also how we are governed. Through Christ, you have shown us what submission to and honor of authority looks like. Teach us to love others, fear you, and honor the state. Amen.
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