God and Government: A Biblical, Historical, and Constitutional Perspective

by Gary DeMar

Nearly forty years ago, amid the rapid dissolution of the American moral fabric after Roe v. Wade, an old truth started gaining new life in America.

It was the truth that had once made America great, but one which she had forgotten—that the Bible is not a collection of disconnected moralisms for private application, but rather a comprehensive guide for all of life, a blueprint for the private and public conduct of all individuals and nations.

In 1982, the three-volume God and Government series fanned the flames of this national worldview awakening, establishing that the character of a nation and its people depends on their relationship with God as revealed in Holy Scripture.

Relying on clear historical and biblical research, author Gary DeMar demonstrated how America had been great and how she could be great again.

The series quickly became a staple in the Christian curriculum. For decades, in the hands of countless teachers, parents, and students, the books educated minds young and old in the Christian history of America, the origin and foundation of government, the biblical principles of authority, and the basis and necessity of Christian political activism.

But the work of reviving America is far from finished, and Americans need to hear—now more than ever—the biblical and historical truths explained in God and Government.

Now thirty years later, American Vision has thoroughly renovated, revised, and updated Gary DeMar’s monumental work into this beautiful one-volume hardback.

With a fresh new look, more images, an extensive subject and scripture index, and an updated bibliography, God and Government is ready to prepare a whole new generation to take on the political and religious battles confronting Christians today.

May it be used in a new awakening of Christians in America—not just to inform minds, but to stimulate action and secure a better tomorrow for our posterity.

Hardback, 700+ pages with dozens of carefully selected corresponding images, extensive subject and Scripture index, verified quotes and bibliography

Table of Contents:

Part 1: Defining Government

* 1: Self-Government and Family Government
* 2: Ecclesiastical and Civil Governments
* 3: The Origin and Development of Civil Government
* 4: The Purpose and Function of Civil Government
* 5: The Biblical Form of Civil Government
* 6: Jesus and Civil Government
* 7: The Christian History of The United States
* 8: The Purpose of the United States Constitution
* 9: The Relationship of Church and State In the Bible
* 10: The Relationship of Church and State In the First Amendment

Part 2: Issues in Biblical Perspective

* 11: Developing a Biblical Worldview
* 12: Worldviews in Conflict
* 13: Sovereignty and Dominion
* 14: Sovereignty and Ownership
* 15: Financing the Work of God’s Kingdom
* 16: Financing the Responsibilities of the State
* 17: Biblical Economics
* 18: The Enemies of Biblical Economics
* 19: The Causes of Poverty
* 20: The Conquest of Poverty

Part 3: The Restoration of the Republic

* 21: The Biblical View of Authority
* 22: The Enemies of Biblical Authority
* 23: God’s Sovereignty Over the Nations
* 24: Establishing Christian Leadership
* 25: The Restoration of the Republic
* 26: The Foundation of Law
* 27: The Administration of Justice
* 28: Human Rights and Responsibilities
* 29: Sovereignty and Education
* 30: The Future of Government
* Appendix: What is Government?
* Scripture Index
* Topical Index
* Recommended Reading

Genres: Christianity, Government, Politics, Theology, History, Christian

798 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Gary is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. In 2007, he earned his Ph.D. in Christian Intellectual History from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Author of countless essays, news articles, and more than 27 book titles, he also hosts The Gary DeMar Show, and History Unwrapped—both broadcasted and podcasted. Gary has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife, Carol. They have two married sons and are enjoying being grandparents to their grandson. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).

Reviews

[Jake Litwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Every Christian must read this. Then go through it with your children. We need this resource now more than ever in the church.

[Derric · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Some believe that because they do not acknowledge God as Lord and King they somehow are exempt from following the law of God. Sodom and Gomorrah enjoyed no such exemption:”

This is essentially a textbook for Christians on how God has established all of the various human governments to function. God is not simply Lord over those who willingly bow the knee. He is Lord over all of his creation and, as such, He is calling all of it to conform to His law. It’s a long read but it’s worth every bit of the time and effort. I give it 5 stars. A must-read for all!

[Paul Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear concerned Christian American Citizen:

If you desire a biblical response to what is happening in our society - then look no further than this book. It has several broad sweeping brushes to explain how society compares to the Bible. It is a rather large and imposing tome, but well worth your time - especially if you are not familiar with how the Bible speaks to so many subjects, such as: the Consitution, tithing, the poor, economics, man's law vs. God's law, and a Christian's responsibility in all of these areas.

There is much primary research done in this book that I appreciated. When I doubted something I was able to go online and research and always found the information accurate. Not that I doubted the author's work, but couldn't imagine what was being reported was true. To my astonishment his information was always accurate.

This book really changed my view of God's Kingdom. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father's Kingdom would come. This book fleshes that prayer out. I can honestly say I love America, but I have come to have much disappointment in it. Not because it isn't great but because men are evil and only desire to replace God with their own god-like society. This is no more clearly seen then in the leftist revisioning of America with all their political "wokeness." It has become my strong contention that the Cross stands mightier and higher than the American flag. Jesus truly is the King of the world and I am so disappointed in myself for coming so late to this party (LOL). Much of what I had learned as a child and young man has come to fruition after reading this book. I always believed that Jesus was King, but now I see that He is the only Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of this world. He raises up nations and leaders and disposes of them too. He uses evil men and nations to do his bidding - as He did with Babylon and Assyria. It really changed how I view America and other nations. I no longer see America as some special nation of God's people. No. It is only one of many nations that is especially wonderful. The true nation is the people of God saved by Jesus Christ and living and moving in this world. They exist not only in America but in dangerous places like China and Venezuela. God is much more concerned with his people and how they exist and complete His will in this world. Christian, we are people of the Kingdom and we ought to be seeking to do His will and not what our political associations want (although I will say that conservative-right-leaning politics is much closer to the Bible).

I found this book so inspiring and informative that I have taught through much of its contents to my Church family. Each week I have outlined a chapter and used it as a guide for our Sunday discussions. Many valuable discussions came from my teaching of this book.

I bought this book from The American Vision website (americanvision.org). They also have a workbook designed for high school students. I also purchased this hoping to help me with my outlining of the chapters, but alas, it did not really help much. There were some good questions in the workbook, but it really did not fit my style of teaching.

I hope you will buy this book and read it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the topic! This is a book I recommend all Christians read as much of modern evangelicalism is utterly ignorant on how God and the Bible speak on and relate to the civil government as well a host of other related topics.

This book has been a blessing to me in expanding the understanding that government is not just “the government” but that there are more than just our civil magistrates there is also self government, family government, and church government.

We as husbands and fathers should especially reads this as God calls us to lead our households and how we do impacts more than just our individual families.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants." - William Penn
Straightforward, simple text as an overview of what the bible has to say about the structure of government. The reason for self government, monetary policy, criminal punishment and the judicial system are among the many topics dealt with through bible passages and references.
Required reading for making sense of current politics and as a reminder for those living as Christians, why a biblical government is good for everyone.

[Joshua Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I truly believe that, at the very least, every Christian that holds any office in the Church or Civil Government ought to read this book, and teach it to everyone they know. There are crucial truths in this book, truths that Christian Dominion perishes for a lack of knowledge that Christians have of them. This book should be mandatory for every elder of every church on the planet. Such a great book to start my 2023 off with.

[Rob Spykstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary DeMar shows how God reigns over all of life. Life is governed by three spheres: the family, the state, the church. He does a tremendous job showing how all of Scripture speaks to these three spheres. He also shows what happens to a people who fail to submit to God's teaching in these spheres. It is a thought provoking book that gives hope to those who are ready to come under the authority of God in all of life. I would recommend.

[Timothy Dehne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think a lot of people have a lot of misunderstandings today on how we should run our government. Those people should read this book. Uncle Gary provides an excellent presentation of the history of government, the right foundation, and the misconceptions about how government should be run.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We must stop acting as if we are forever destined to be a subculture. We are destined for dominion; we should straighten up and start acting like it."

For the record this book is Very Long and I may or may not have fallen asleep several times getting through it over the course of a school year bUT it's very important and more people should read it.

[Michelle Lynn]

awesome for group study