Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
1Timothy 2:1-2 instructs Christians to pray for those who have civil authority. This broadcast is an interview with Eric Douma about a sermon he preached on this passage of Scripture. We need to have a Biblical worldview about how God rules His own universe. Part of that involves the establishment of nations with civil governments. We mention how church history is filled with Christians getting this wrong and seeking to put themselves in charge of civil government by whatever means possible. It is not our role to rule over civil government or use military force to make people become "Christian." We discuss the categories of God's providential will and His moral will. Providence covers all things that happen, including good and evil. We have God's moral law revealed in the Bible and can make correct judgments about what is right and wrong in church history. Getting what the Bible says in passages like the one we are covering has led to much evil done in the name of Christ. Eric mentioned the 30 year war that happened right after the Reformation. The purpose of our prayers for the civil government is that we might live peaceable, dignified lives. When there is not horrible civil unrest, there is a better opportunity to preach the gospel freely and gather to worship God. History is heading toward future judgment, but as long as it goes on, we are to preach Christ so that people will come to Him and have eternal life.
1Timothy 2:1-2 instructs Christians to pray for those who have civil authority. This broadcast is an interview with Eric Douma about a sermon he preached on this passage of Scripture. We need to have a Biblical worldview about how God rules His own universe. Part of that involves the establishment of nations with civil governments. We mention how church history is filled with Christians getting this wrong and seeking to put themselves in charge of civil government by whatever means possible. It is not our role to rule over civil government or use military force to make people become "Christian." We discuss the categories of God's providential will and His moral will. Providence covers all things that happen, including good and evil. We have God's moral law revealed in the Bible and can make correct judgments about what is right and wrong in church history. Getting what the Bible says in passages like the one we are covering has led to much evil done in the name of Christ. Eric mentioned the 30 year war that happened right after the Reformation. The purpose of our prayers for the civil government is that we might live peaceable, dignified lives. When there is not horrible civil unrest, there is a better opportunity to preach the gospel freely and gather to worship God. History is heading toward future judgment, but as long as it goes on, we are to preach Christ so that people will come to Him and have eternal life.
