Article 2.1 - Which View of Government?

Jake MacAulay
Jan 21, 2020
2 min read

Article 2.2 - The Six Major World Views (Chart)

When we talk about government, we’re really talking about where authority comes from and how far it should go. Throughout history, two very different views of government have shaped nations, laws, and cultures. Understanding these views helps explain why governments either protect liberty—or eventually threaten it.

The Biblical (Founders’) View of Government

The Founders’ understanding of government was rooted in a biblical worldview.

In this view, government is divinely ordained, meaning authority ultimately comes from God—not from the state itself. Because of that, government power is limited. It exists to serve the people, protect God-given rights, and uphold justice, not to rule over every aspect of life.

When government is limited:

Authority is restrained
Liberty is protected
Citizens develop a healthy sense of patriotism, not blind obedience

This view leads naturally to a republic, where laws—not rulers—govern, and where the people hold government accountable.

At its foundation, this perspective is based on creation: the belief that human rights are inherent, given by God, and cannot be legitimately taken away by government.

The Pagan (Secular) View of Government

The opposing view sees government very differently.

Here, government itself is considered divine—the highest authority. Since there is no higher moral law above the state, government power becomes unlimited.

When authority is unchecked:

Government expands without restraint
Loyalty shifts from principles to power
Citizens are encouraged toward government worship rather than accountability

Over time, this view leads not to liberty, but to tyranny, where the state decides what rights exist—and can remove them at will.

This worldview is rooted in evolutionary thinking, where rights are not inherent, but granted by those in power and subject to change.