The Standard March 1, 2025
Last month much of the media was in an uproar over horribly racist social media previously shared by a young staffer in the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency. The 25-year-old resigned once the posts became big news, but Vice-President Vance thought it best to rehire the former SpaceX employee. Elon Musk then quoted Alexander Pope on X, writing, “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
Disregarding for the moment the topic of forgiveness, this brings up the complex issue of whether or not we should legislate morality. Some say it would be best if the government did not try to dictate what is right or wrong. Would it be feasible for any government to extricate itself completely from judgements of good versus bad? Almost every society has laws against killing or injuring people, and stealing or destroying someone else’s property. These criminal acts are immoral.
Nongovernmental organizations like Catholic Charities use taxpayer funds to feed and house immigrants, many who have come to this country illegally. According to ForeignAssistance.gov, the U.S. disbursed $71.9 billion in foreign aid in the fiscal year 2023, not including military equipment. Wars, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, etc. determine where this federal aid goes.
Complicated moral questions arise concerning if and how much our government should be involved in feeding, housing, and providing medical care for needy U.S. citizens, non-citizens in our country, and for desperate individuals in other nations. Does the United States have any such moral responsibility, or should our government limit itself to tasks pertaining to maintaining the three branches of government, raising revenue, building and keeping up roads and infrastructure, plus funding national defense and law enforcement?
The Bible is clear regarding the characteristics of leaders in the church. Should we have expectations for the morals of those whom we elect or hire for national, state-wide, and local governmental positions?
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:11-16
The Apostle Peter likely wrote these remarkable words as the persecution of Christians by Nero was about to intensify. In his mind, it was natural that government leaders would commend those doing right and punish those doing wrong.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20: 25-28
Christians will come to different conclusions about the role of morality in the secular sphere. There is no doubt, however, that the best leaders are those who lead by example.
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