As I have been preparing for preaching on Romans 13 and the role of government, I have read a number of books, articles, and pamphlets that have helped me think through how to faithfully interpret and apply that passage — and to be aware of how other passages on the topic of government complete our understanding of the government’s role and our response to the government.
Disclaimer: While I appreciated and benefited from each of these works (I wouldn’t have listed them otherwise), I don’t agree completely with any of the works that follow. So this is not a full endorsement of any of the following works; but you will be helped by all of them, and you will be forced to think and examine the Scriptures because of what you read (Acts 17:11) — and that’s also good for our minds/hearts.
Here are some of those works (listed in no particular order):
- Mark Dever, God and Politics
- John MacArthur, Why Government Can’t Save You
- Robert Benne, Good and Bad Ways to Think About Religion and Politics
- Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible (and How Christians Should Relate to Government, which is an excerpt from the much longer Politics)
- Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli, How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics? (Leeman also has written, How the Nations Rage, which looks helpful, though I haven’t had opportunity to read it yet)
John Piper, Providence (this brand new title by Piper is about the sovereignty of God; his three chapters on “Providence Over Kings and Nations” are tremendously helpful)- Jerry Bridges, Trusting God (his chapter “God’s Rule Over the Nations” is very helpful; he particularly helped me think through God’s sovereignty over all decisions of all rulers)
- Jesse Johnson has written numerous articles on political issues at The Cripplegate; they are always grounded in Scripture and thought-provoking (though, again, I don’t always agree with all his conclusions or applications). See, for instance, “Should Christians in the US Ever Protest the Government,” “Political Ethics vs. Biblical Ethics,” “How to Pray for Our Political Leaders,” and more.
- Andy Naselli, Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ
Words of Grace 