In today’s world, the relationship between personal freedom and state power has grown increasingly complex and often contradictory. On the one hand, there is a strong desire for total freedom from all forms of perceived oppression, yet this desire is paradoxically coupled with a growing dependence on the state to provide and enforce these “freedoms.” This paradox has given rise to a disturbing trend—a movement toward a totalizing state absolutism, where the state is not only seen as a facilitator but also as the primary force shaping every aspect of life. This ideology, known as “statism,” challenges the Christian understanding of authority and government which is built upon the biblical principle of Sphere Sovereignty — the idea that different areas of life, such as family, church, and state, each have distinct roles and limits under the sovereign rule of God.
In this article, I will briefly outline the rising prevalence and danger of Statism, explain what Sphere Sovereignty is and what happens when it is violated, and then outline how Christians ought respond to Statism for the sake of the kingdom of God.
The Emergence and Expansion of Statism
Statism refers to an ideology that centralizes control and power in the hands of the state and extends its reach into all areas of life. It manifests in the increasing reliance on civil government to address a wide range of social issues, from economic disparities to personal health and moral education. Under this doctrine, civil government is elevated to a position of supremacy over all other societal structures, disregarding the unique roles and responsibilities of institutions such as the family and the church as outlined in a Christian world-and-life view.
The widespread acceptance of government intervention in numerous aspects of daily life evidences the growing reliance on the state. Progressive, confiscatory taxation, endless market regulations, as well as state-sponsored education, health, and welfare programs, are commonly accepted with little question of their legitimacy or limits. Even areas traditionally outside the state’s purview, such as family life and religious practices, are increasingly subject to government control. In China, state-approved churches are heavily regulated in their preaching and practices, illustrating a model where religious life is closely governed by the state. But a similar trend is emerging in Western countries, where churches may face regulations limiting their activities or teachings under the guise of public health, equity and inclusion, or social order.
The Dangers of State Absolutism
The danger lies not only in the state’s expansion into areas it should not rule but also in its fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of authority and governance. The Bible teaches that all authority belongs to God, who delegates authority to various spheres of life: the individual, family, church, private institutions, and state. Each of these spheres has its unique role and authority that should not be infringed upon by the others.
When the state oversteps its boundaries, it undermines the God-given autonomy of these other spheres, effectively setting itself up as the ultimate authority. This overreach is not only an abuse of power but also a denial of the fundamental Christian doctrine that all power is subject to Christ’s Lordship. Statism leads inevitably to a form of practical atheism, where the state assumes a god-like role, controlling every aspect of life and dictating the terms of human existence. This pattern directly opposes the biblical teaching that only God and his Kingdom rule has total authority and that all human institutions must operate within the limits He has established.
The Kingdom of God and the Principle of Sphere Sovereignty
The principle of Sphere Sovereignty, as helpfully articulated by Abraham Kuyper and further developed by Christian thinkers like Herman Dooyeweerd, provides a scripturally rooted framework for understanding the proper limits of political authority under the Kingdom of God. No given law-sphere should dominate or control the other spheres of life. Each must operate within the limits set by God’s law-word.
1. Sovereignty of God Over All Spheres
At the heart of Sphere Sovereignty is the belief that God is sovereign over all creation. Every sphere—whether political, social, familial, or ecclesiastical—is created by God and is subject to His authority. The state, therefore, is not an absolute power; it is a servant of God, with a specific role to play in maintaining justice in the public-legal order (Rom. 13:1-7). Its authority is limited by God’s law, and when the state exceeds its God-given mandate, it becomes tyrannical.
2. The Role of the State
The Bible clearly describes the state’s role as being concerned with public justice, punishing wrongdoing, and promoting good conduct. The state wields the “sword” to maintain public order and ensure that righteous laws are upheld (Rom. 13:4). However, its authority is not unlimited; it must respect the equally sphere-sovereign nature of other God-ordained law-orders, such as the family and the church. For instance, the state should not interfere in the doctrine, worship, or teaching of the church, which belong to the ecclesiastical sphere. Nor should it intrude into (let alone redefine!) the fundamental authority, role, and responsibility of the family, such as the upbringing and education of children, unless crimes are being committed.
3. Independence of Other Spheres
As such, each law-sphere has its unique role and authority, granted directly by God. The family is a government with authority over raising children, education, and domestic affairs, while the church has the authority to proclaim the gospel, administer sacraments, and exercise church discipline as another form of government. The state has no right to dictate how these spheres should operate within their God-given boundaries. Any attempt by the state to assume control over these areas represents an overreach of its authority and a usurpation of God’s sovereignty.
The Consequences of Violating Sphere Sovereignty
When the state overreaches and assumes authority in areas where it has no jurisdiction, the consequences are far-reaching and detrimental. Statism, by its nature, trends totalitarian. For example, when the state controls education, it can impose secular ideologies and ban Christian teachings. When it rules over the family, it can redefine marriage, control the upbringing of children, and interfere in parental rights. When it dominates the church, it can censor religious expression and limit the freedom to worship.
Moreover, when the state treats the other spheres of life as lower parts of itself as a greater whole, it diminishes personal responsibility, erodes freedom, and fosters a culture of dependency. This leads to a society where individuals, families, and churches become subservient to the state, losing their autonomy and their ability to fulfill their God-given purpose in service to His Kingdom.
A Christian Response to Statism
To counter the dangers of statism, Christians must recover a biblical understanding of authority and government in terms of the Kingdom of God. This involves insisting that all authority is delegated by God and is limited by His law. Christians are called to resist state overreach and advocate for a social order that honors the distinct roles of each sphere.
1. Advocating for Limited Government
Christians should promote the idea of a limited civil government that respects the autonomy of other spheres and recognizes its role as a servant of God. This means challenging the assumption that the state is the ultimate Lord of life and advocating for policies that protect the freedom and independence of families, churches, and other private institutions.
2. Engaging in Public Life
Christians must engage in public life, bringing their faith to bear in every area of society. This includes participating in politics, law, education, and business in ways that reflect a commitment to the principles of Sphere Sovereignty. By doing so, Christians can help shape a culture that respects the limits of state authority whilst promoting true freedom and justice.
3. Defending Freedom under God
Freedom under God is a key aspect of Sphere Sovereignty. Christians must defend the church’s right to preach the gospel, teach biblical doctrine, administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline without state interference. This includes advocating for laws that protect the freedom of the church and the preaching of the gospel whilst resisting policies that seeks to control the church’s function or its message.
4. Fostering a Culture of Responsibility
Christians should work to foster a culture of faithfulness, where individuals, families, and churches take up their God-given roles and responsibilities. This involves promoting values such as personal responsibility and accountability, community engagement from a distinctly Christian standpoint, and voluntary charity, rather than reliance on state welfare and intervention.
Conclusion: Upholding the Kingdom of God
The principle of Sphere Sovereignty offers a powerful framework for understanding the limits of political authority within the Kingdom of God. It affirms that all authority belongs to God and that He has established various spheres of life, each with its distinct responsibilities and limits. The state, like the family and the church, must operate within the boundaries set by God’s law, recognizing that the authority of its office-bearers is not absolute but delegated.
Believers are called to uphold this principle in our personal lives, our churches, and our public engagement. We must resist the trend toward state absolutism and advocate for a social order that respects the relative autonomy of each sphere and promotes true freedom, justice, and human flourishing under God’s rule. In doing so, we bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the comprehensive nature of His Kingdom.
