God & Government
by Charles Colson | Book Summary
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Author: Charles Colson
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These questions are not merely theoretical. Raising any one of them in today's society is likely to cause an argument or a scandal. They get to the heart of some of the most practical questions Christians and non-Christians have. Simply stated, how can a Christian be a good citizen of both the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of man? The answer is predicated on both the church and the state playing their God-ordained roles in society. Both are necessary, and when functioning correctly lead to a well-ordered society. When the church acts as emissaries of the Kingdom of God, properly living out the decrees of the King and focusing on encouraging people to worship the one true God, it serves its proper function in society. This, in turn, allows for the proper influence of the kingdoms of man. When the state functions to promote justice and restrain evil, it serves its proper function and allows citizens to worship freely. |
Charles Colson (October 16, 1931 – April 21, 2012) was an attorney and political advisor that served as Special Counsel to US President Richard Nixon. Colson served many roles for the president throughout Nixon's tenure in the White House. Colson was eventually imprisoned for his crimes committed during the Watergate scandal.
With his imprisonment looming, he was given a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and he converted to Christianity. In 1976, he founded Prison Fellowship, which works with various governments on prison reform and prisoner rehabilitation. He is also known for his work with Evangelicals and Catholics Together.
Colson is the author of Born Again, Loving God, Being the Body, and more.
God & Government
by Charles Colson
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Charles Colson |
| Publisher | Zondervan |
| Date | 2007 |
| Pages | 448 |
Overview:
How does church and government relate to one another? Are they related at all, or should they be entirely separate? Can a Christian serve in political office? What is the role of the state?
These questions are not merely theoretical. Raising any one of them in today's society is likely to cause an argument or a scandal. They get to the heart of some of the most practical questions Christians and non-Christians have. Simply stated, how can a Christian be a good citizen of both the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of man?
The answer is predicated on both the church and the state playing their God-ordained roles in society. Both are necessary, and when functioning correctly lead to a well-ordered society.
When the church acts as emissaries of the Kingdom of God, properly living out the decrees of the King and focusing on encouraging people to worship the one true God, it serves its proper function in society. This, in turn, allows for the proper influence of the kingdoms of man.
When the state functions to promote justice and restrain evil, it serves its proper function and allows citizens to worship freely.
Charles Colson (October 16, 1931 – April 21, 2012) was an attorney and political advisor that served as Special Counsel to US President Richard Nixon. Colson served many roles for the president throughout Nixon's tenure in the White House. Colson was eventually imprisoned for his crimes committed during the Watergate scandal.
With his imprisonment looming, he was given a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and he converted to Christianity. In 1976, he founded Prison Fellowship, which works with various governments on prison reform and prisoner rehabilitation. He is also known for his work with Evangelicals and Catholics Together.
Colson is the author of Born Again, Loving God, Being the Body, and more.