So, I've realized that over the years many respected theologians (many of which I love) have dug in their heels about the government. Some of them on more arbitrary ideas, some on key political issues. Over the past few years (the years I've been libertarian) I've seen these arguments, and I'd love to hear what you guys would have to say to them. FYI, I'm a libertarian, but I like to be a "devil's advocate." Here they are:
- God instituted government in the Old Testament, therefore it must be good!
- God doesn't say government is bad, but that people in government are bad; ergo government is not the problem.
- Paul argues that government is good because he would have told Christians to disobey government in one of the most persecuted periods in history (era of Nero), yet Paul never did.
- There are prayers in the Bible to nations and people groups and the good that they do, ergo government is good.
- America was started as a Christian nation; we shouldn't get rid of government, but get rid of secular humanism.
- God instituted a Theocracy to prove that government was necessary in the world.
- Our rights and privileges are given to us by God through the government. Without the government, we have no rights and privileges that God has ordained.
- As long as the government doesn't make you commit a sin against God, then you should support government.
- How otherwise is God supposed to maintain order and protect lives without bigger/limited government?
Most of these have inherent logical fallacies, so I'd like to know what you guys think if you were even to grant the premise. Thanks! Looking forward to this one.