There are several forms of church government, the most basic four are: Episcopal, Presbyterian, congregational and a form of nongovernmental. While Episcopal and Presbyterian forms of church government have designated offices to rule the church; to which Jesus’ teachings seem to be against when he said: “Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-27, NIV)
It is observed that both Jesus and Paul assigned the responsibility for discipline to the congregation rather than a bishop or an elder. However, there are also biblical objection to the congregational scheme of government; because it disregards the apostolic (or Episcopal) authority. It is noted also that there was a separation of the offices of bishop, elder, and deacon rather early in church history.
Gk: episkopoi (elders, deacons); Gk: Presbyteroi (overseers or bishops) are the two Greek words used in the New Testament for church leaders. It is noted in the New Testament, the leaders and the members are equally valuable and these two terms are interchangeable in Titus 1:5-7
I believe the rightful model of Church governance is theocratic only, whereby the elders or overseers, together with the congregation conduct themselves in accordance with the will of God to the best of their knowledge.
“Theocracy” comes from the Greek word “Theos” (of God, divine, according to God’s will.) There is no truly theocratic government on earth as such unless one can truly say he/she knows fully well what is the will of God and whatever he/she does is exactly according to the will of God as the following example shows.
An extreme form of “theocracy” is cited online posted on
AP, Thursday, March 02, 2006
Ave Maria: Domino's Pizza Founder Wants Taliban-style Theocracy In Florida
The AP reports today that a new
If Domino's Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan has his way, a new town being built in Florida will be governed according to strict Roman Catholic principles, with no place to get an abortion, pornography or birth control. ac
For that matter, the Episcopalian and Presbyterian or “non-govenmental” structure of church government can also be “theocratic” if the people conduct themselves according to the will of God to the best of their biblical knowledge.
The closest model is the Old Testament model whereby the king (David) ruled the nation of
Is there truly a “theocratic” church government today? Even some churches claim to be such as the Romans Catholic Church, please comment.
12 comments:
are you not abit presumptious to say that the 'only' rightful model is theocratic. you have also said that they need 'togather' with the congregation,does that mean work togather!
Thank you Joe for your comment. My model is a modified one. By Theocratic, I actually mean a (or group of) leader/s under direction of God. I took the cue from David when he ruled Israel under the leading of God. (He was not perfect though) Some time he failed in this too!
After reading you long explaination I think different Church will have different model so it is difficult for us to say that there is only one right model.
In a sense, i do shared your view when you said that in this world how will we define 'theocracy' structure. There is no perfect structure but there is still a need for the chruch to be under certain form of governing. As for me, due my past bad experiences on church split, I preferred congregational whereby there is more pros' and cons.
Looking at your details explaination, by boldly saying Episcopal and Presbyterian model is against Jesus' saying seem unwise by just a portion of bible verses backing.
Without in detail studying and understanding of the structure of their government in comparison to the structure you belief in seem a bit fast to make decision right.
Dear Jonathan,
I believe there will not be a true and perfect theocratic church yet on earth until Jesus establishes it in the millellnium after he returns.Even though the owner of Domino's Pizza Thomas may attempt to start one in Florida by abolishing pornagraphy and abortion yet as long as there is the kingdom o darkness yet at work in our world it will soon be corrupted like all the others before. I think Mr. Thomas should concentrate in selling his Pizzas and should lower the prices in these difficult times as Domino Pizzas are very pricey.
Dear all, when I said that "theocratic"is the only rightful model for the governace of the church, I meant that it is biblically preferred model. the other models also have evidential support from the Bible but also tainted with the notion that it has to be in the will and direction of God. It is the degree we submit to Him. All models have some degree of theocratic in them.
dear jonathan,
as much as i agree with your Theocratic viewpoints, I must say that the Bible tells us to be under the leadership of a spiritual father. One might argue that God's plan for Israels governmental system was to be a Theocratic one. nevertheless the people were always under the leadership of someone. for an instance they started out from Egypt with moses as their leader. they conquered the promised land under the leadership of Joshua and they continued as a nation under the leadership of the judges and later the kings. what i am trying to say is that God always works His plan through a leader. anything with more than a head is nothing but a multi headed monster.and Regardless of how much a tyrant or a dictator this leader may prove to be, we will receive God's blessing through our submission
Thank you for all your comments, Of course the only true theocracy can only happen at the Millennium, as pointed out by Jason, I am certainly looking forward to that, how about you?
No doubt we're looking for the Millennium coming,but to be realistic we're placed in a situation where the model of church government whether theocratic or not is still debatable right?
If God prefer Theocratic governmental model, how can we explain to others model of government to follow suit?
Hi Jonathan,
I think there may be some misunderstanding on the issue of theocracy form of structure as what you said is biblical based. Are we discarding all other structures mentioned in class? To me, theocracy means is not exactly a structure in true sense but rather the people who are in leadership allowing God through their undertanding and spirituality to work through what ever ways in the church adopted structures. Whether it is Epicospal, Prebysterian, or congragational; if the people does not seek God before any decisions or plans than it is rather man's way than God's will. What do you think?
Dear Bro. Freddie,
You are right on. I do think Theocracy not as a structure, more of a concept and all other structures must be hung on it.
Post a Comment