Godly Model to Political Governance

Godly model on political governance.

One of the constitution making talking points relates to the system of governance that Zimbabwe should adopt. In this write up, want to share thoughts on a Godly model to political governance as an alternative to the theories that have been put forward in constitutional discussions.

Students of law, political science, and related disciplines are used to such terms as democracy, good governance, constitutionalism, rule of law, separation of powers and many other a terms, the definition and meaning of which is remotely agreed. Such terms however always find prominence when it comes to issues of governance, especially political governance. They all have origin in political theories on governance, traceable to many centuries back but popularized in the last few centuries during the American and French Revolutions. These lofty terms and principles have of late been widely accepted, albeit wrongly I will argue, as the panacea to the ills of tyrannical and unjust governments, as well as a ticket to a prosperous political society.

Looking at a principle or theory of governance that is Godly, it is said, and correctly so, that at creation, God ordained or sanctioned three institutions, namely; government [rulership and dominion]; marriage [family and pro creation]; and work [business, entrepreneurship, commerce].

In drafting the constitution, I propose a system of governance that is Godly, based on a Godly model, a constitution that also recognize and protect the institutions of marriage and work (business or entrepreneurship). In this article, I will address the concept of political governance viewed from a Godly perspective, and in subsequent posts, I will address the place of business and marriage in a Constitution.

The relevant portion of the bible that speaks of governance goes as follows;
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:26, 28.

There can be of course different ways of reading and interpreting this portion of the bible and I do not wish to prescribe a formula, but it is clear that at creation, God gave dominion of the earth to man. A careful reading also shows that man was not given authority over other man but over the earth. Man was not even given dominion over the woman, his wife! It is clear therefore that all people are in the sight of God equal. Dominion and rulership over the earth is a gift God gave to and a blessing He pronounced over man.

Government means rulership, dominion, authority, and power over something or someone. As indicated earlier, the original intent of God was to give man and his posterity rulership, dominion, power, and authority over the earth and its resources, and not over each other.

However, as the biblical account shows, and as has been preached over and over again, man sinned. He moved out of the track God intended him to walk in and all hell broke loose. No reason why we have all the evil vices around the world; corruption, killing, immorality, and all other forms of evil. Now the answer to good governance is not in democracy or its affiliates but in the model that God gives us.

The question that arises then is; what is God’s perspective on governance, the institution of government, and the foundation upon which such a government should stand? In other words, what is this model of governance that God has given us? It is clear that at the ultimate level, God has given all authority over both man and the earth to Jesus Christ, the best model of good governance and leadership there can be.

Those with a little of history background may have read of Napoleon Bonaparte, a great military general and Emperor of 19th century France who conquered almost the whole of Europe during his time. Having been declined an answer to the question, "Can you tell me who Jesus Christ was?”, this is what Napoleon is reported to have said;

"Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him.... I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man: none else is like Him; Jesus Christ was more than man.... I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me.... but to do this it was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them, I lighted up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts.... Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen, that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother. He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! In defiance of time and space, the soul of man, with all its powers and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ. All who sincerely believe in Him, experience that remarkable, supernatural love toward Him. This phenomenon is accountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man's creative powers. Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put a limit to its range. This is it, which strikes me most; I have often thought of it. This is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ."

I do not intend to preach on this platform but the point is that Jesus is the ultimate perfect and complete model of leadership there can be. Since he has made an open invitation to the whole world to embrace his kingdom and message, it would be inappropriate to impose his approach on the people unless they are ready to willingly embrace and take it up. However, at the natural level, upon which this write up draws inspiration, God has ordained the institution of government, with authority. In the book of Romans 13, it says that there is no authority except that which God has established and everyone must therefore submit himself to the governing authorities. The bible actually says that the authorities that exist have been established by God and he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

It does not mean however that God, having established the institution of government, with authority over people and resources, expect such governments to abuse or misuse the authority. Not at all! God does not condone at all the abuse or misuse of power. But the question still remains; What is God’s expectation of leaders, be it a President, MP, Judge, a Police Officer, Manager, Parent, or any other person in a position of authority?

It is clear that God expects of those who are in leadership to serve the people. The clear example of leadership that God gives us is the imagery of a shepherd of the sheep, with David and Jesus Christ as ring examples. The imagery of a shepherd and sheep is used to portray the nature of the relationship between the leader and those led, and the responsibilities thereof. As God spoke of David; I have found in you a man after my own heart, and, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler. A shepherd protects the sheep, tenders them, lead and guide them, ensure that they have good green pasture to graze on and clean water to drink. To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Bringing it closer to the constitution making process currently going on in the country, what Godly model of political governance can we embrace? As a starting point, leadership means service; you lead to serve those led. A leader, whether President, Minister, Judge, Commissioner, and any other leader whose office is created by the constitution or in terms of a provision contemplated by the constitution is there to serve the people. He or She is a caretaker of resources on behalf of the people, a shepherd of the people, with people always coming first. He is there to lead people in right doing and justice, in truth and love, with the best interests of the people always coming first. A leader is one who is prepared to sacrifice self interest for a cause greater than himself, and in this case, the people. He is ready to sacrifice himself for the good of the people. He does not load it over the people, but lead by example. When leadership is viewed from such an angle, the love for office becomes a love to serve, to sacrifice, to humble oneself, to love the people, a love for justice, for truth, for righteousness, the privileges and kudos going with such leadership and office being only by-products and secondary.

A leader is one who superintends over the affairs of those under him, not because he must, but because he is willing; not for the status that goes with the office, but out of eagerness to serve; not in order to boss around those who are being led, but to be an example of what is good and desirable.

Constitutional debate approached from that perspective takes a different dimension. It must be noted that every position of leadership inherently carries with it authority, otherwise without authority there is no leadership. The secret to good governance will not therefore be only the reduction and spreading of executive power, but also defining in detail how such power should be exercised. The constitution becomes a document that disciplines leaders in their exercise of authority.

Campaign and aspiration for political office and leadership must shift from desirability for the privileges that goes with such office, to the readiness to live by the standards expected of one who occupies such an office. The standards must be set out in the constitution; the discipline must be stipulated by the constitution, with dire political and legal consequences attached to non compliance.

Very soon I shall post a draft Constitution that captures in a legal way suitable for a Constitution the issues addressed in this and other posts.

muchanyereibarnabas@gmail.com