Whether Rulers Can Be Christians

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Whether Rulers Can Be Christians

Peter Riedemann (c. 1540)

The Jewish government, which was present until Christ came, is a symbol of the old kingdom that comes to an end when the new kingdom begins. The Scriptures tell us, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah until Christ, the hero, comes." The old has come to an end in Christ, who now sits on the throne of his father, David, and has become King of all true Israelites. He has established a new regime that is not like the old and is not supported by the temporal sword.

The regime of the Jews, who until then were God's people, came to an end in Christ, and the Jews had their regime taken from them. This signifies that in Christ the old regime shall be no more, but Christ alone will rule over Christians with his spiritual sword. The power of the worldly sword has been taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles. This change shows that God's people are not to use the worldly sword or rule with it. Instead, they should be led and ruled by the spirit of Christ alone. This is addressed to heathen, thus indicating that the heathen and unbelievers are not submitting themselves to the spirit of Christ and therefore will be punished and disciplined with the sword. So we see that governmental authority has its place outside Christ, not in Christ.

God is King and Commander of his people in Christ alone, as it is written, “God has set a government over every people, but over Israel he alone is Lord.” Just as he is a spiritual King, so he has spiritual servants, and with all of them he wields a spiritual sword that pierces soul and spirit.

The Son was appointed by the Father, as Scripture tells us: “I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” He was not given in anger, like the earthly king, but in blessing, and he has become a source of blessing to us all. It had, indeed, been promised that in him all peoples should be blessed. Therefore, just as the old order was established to demand blood for blood, this ruler has been appointed to protect and to save people's souls. As the old order was to punish evil, so the new is to recompense it with good. As the old way was to hate the enemy, so the new way commands us to love him. Christ is King of all kings, and at the same time the complete opposite of all the rulers of this world. Therefore he says, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be ready to fight for me.”

Christ calls into being a completely different kingdom and regime. He wishes his servants to submit themselves to it and become like him. That is why he says to them, "The princes of the world are called gracious lords, and the powerful exercise rulership over the people, but you should not be like that. Let the one who is the greatest among you be your servant." Thus the glory of Christ and of his servants consists in relinquishing all worldly glory. The more completely a person gives it up, the more glorious that person becomes in Christ's kingdom. This is shown in the words, "Whoever desires to be exalted shall be abased, and whoever is humble, shall be exalted.

       The full blessing of God is in Christ our King, and he himself is the blessing. Therefore, all that was given in wrath must come to an end in Christ. It has no place in Christ. Governmental authority was given in wrath, so it cannot find a place in Christ or be part of him. No Christian is a ruler, and no ruler is a Christian, for the child of blessing cannot be the servant of wrath. In Christ, temporal weapons are not used. Instead, spiritual weapons are used in such a way that people neither deserve nor need the methods of punishment or discipline used by the world.

       Someone may say, "It is necessary to use force because of wicked people.” We have already answered this by saying that the power of the sword has passed to the heathen for the punishment of their evildoers. That is not our concern. Paul says, “What have I to do with judging outsiders?” No Christian can be a ruler in worldly society.

       In reply, someone might say, “According to this view, the way to life is closed to those who hold government office.” We deny this, for Christ says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you and give rest to your souls.” This shows it is open for all, for rulers as well as subjects. Whoever comes to him will not be rejected in any way.

If rulers were to put aside their glory as Christ did, and humble themselves with him, allowing only Christ to work through them, then the way to life would be as open to them as to others. When Christ begins to work in people, he causes them to do nothing but what he himself did during his life on earth, and we know that he fled from those who wanted to make him a king.

However, if their spirits remain unbroken and they will not give up their greatness, Christ himself says, “Those who do not give up all that they have, yes, even their own life, cannot be my disciples.” From this it is clear that not only governmental authorities but all who still cling to created things and do not give them up for Christ's sake - such people are not Christians.

See also: To Vote or Not to Vote

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