Kristafal's Musings

INTRODUCTION

Is the government, in particular the civil magistrate, supposed to be a terror to evil in the public sphere—i.e., society at large? Is that not the role, and therefore, the responsibility of those in power? As indicated by the title of this post, the subject about which I am going to speak (pontificate?) upon falls under the category of thought popularly assessed in our culture here in the West as Christian Nationalism.

Titles or labels aside I am continually amazed at the division that this particular phrase causes within Christian circles. It is akin, I suppose, to the way in which Jesus marveled at the faith of some that he came into contact with during his earthly ministry in 1st century Israel. He marveled at the faith of the centurion (Matt.8:10; Luke 7:9). He was amazed at the faith of the woman who sought his intervening in the life of her child (Matt. 15:28; Mark 7:29). And he marveled by the lack of faith of those who should have known better given the opportunity presented to them (Mark 6:6). Yet, he knew the hearts of those that he faced in day-to-day life, being more than a mere man (John 2:23-25). He understood the philosophy of those he encountered, as was well aware of mankind’s sinful condition. And yet, knowing those things he still marveled and wondered when he saw that which he knew.

In a similar way, I know why Christians struggle with concepts they are unfamiliar with. Things that challenge base presuppositions that they hold. Issues that contradict theological paradigms that they have been taught and have come to accept as their own. I know the “why”, but I still marvel at it all.

And so, I ask the question, “Is the civil government in general, or the civil magistrate (ruler, judge, officer, etc.) in particular, supposed to be a terror to evil doers?”

The Catalyst for the present article…

I recently began listening to a sermon¹ by Phil Johnson, dear friend and confidant of the late John MacArthur. In his opening remarks he admitted that he did not chose the subject to preach upon, it was chosen for him at Grace Community Church. He also stated that he does not like controversy, and (like myself) does not particularly enjoy getting into the midst of heated debates on sensitive issues but (like myself) does not shy away from them either. (I have listened to Johnson speak throughout the years and it is for this reason that I have a lot of respect for the man as a Christian brother/leader.)

Opening remarks are meant to set the tempo or the stage of an argument about to be presented. They prep the hearer for what is about to come. And they reveal, more often than not, what the position is of the speaker (or writer). Johnson starts off by citing a couple of prominent proponents of the Christian Nationalist position, individuals he calls in his sermon “characters”. The first mentioned was the leader of Stone Choir (podcast), Corey Mauler. Mauler is what I would term a radical individual that has made many statements regarding blacks and Jews that I find quite stupid. This individual has a large following (reportedly 100,000 listeners) but if what his critics say about him are true, he is a moron. The second is Texas pastor Joel Webbon of Covenant Bible Church. Webbon is also prominent voice in many conservative Christian circles, and has a significantly influential non-profit organization entitled, Right Response Ministries.

I have listened to Webbon for some time, and while I may disagree with him on some issues, including various conclusions he has drawn, I am not under the impression that he is a danger to other Christians. I do not think he is a Neo-Nazi as some have called him. Nor, do I question his sincerity towards serving Christ and equipping other Christians. No more than I would Phil Johnson or John MacArthur both of whom I have had strong disagreements with in terms of dispensational theology and all those things tied to that particular eschatological bent.

Johnson offers a citation of Webbon saying that Christian magistrates are meant to be a terror to evil doers—enemies of the state—and yet, friendly to those who do good. Johnson also obviously finds issue with Webbon’s term for a Christian leader as a prince. It is true that we are not a monarchy, but this is a title that Webbon has borrowed from his friend Stephen Wolfe, author of Christian Nationalism. Here is the precise quote that Johnson refers to:

“You have to reward friends and punish enemies, you then have to terrorize, absolutely terrorize, your enemies should being having nightmares every night thinking about what the Christians are going to do to them, that’s what civil magistrate is he is a terror to those who do evil, the Christian prince.”²

The Claim being made…

It is important to understand what is being said versus what is not. If you fail to understand the position of your opponent in any form of debate (or, let’s be honest… in general conversations) you will draw erroneous conclusions and badly misrepresent them.

For example, Johnson claims that “Post-Millennialism” is a position that seeks to establish the kingdom of God (of Christ) on this earth by our own power; contra to Johnson’s Dispensational position that states the Kingdom will not be established until the end when Christ physically destroys His earthly enemies. That is an unfair and untrue form of argumentation against Post-Millennial theology.

Salvation/Redemption First…

The Post-Millennial does not neglect that true change only comes about by the changing of a rebel’s heart. A reality accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit in applying the work of atonement wrought by Jesus Christ in accordance with the Father’s will. The former sinner must be changed by the grace of God applied in their life before any form of reformation (reconstruction) can begin.

A Church Controlled Government?…

Post-Millennial guys and gals are not such sops that they forgot large portions of their Bible’s in the pursuit of political power. Nor, do Post-Millennial adherents desire an Ecclesiocracy, where the Church rules the State. The P.M. guys (I abbreviated, I know) understand that it is by Christ’s power through the Holy Spirit’s administration in this New Age (sorry Hindu’s not you) that brings about change in history bit-by-successive-bit. P.M.’s don’t seek to erect a kingdom of God (of Christ) by our own might, wisdom, and abilities. That is blatantly false. You may disagree it is possible. You may even think it is impossible that God would make His kingdom known here on earth as it is in heaven through earthly representation. But, if such an accusation is going to be made it needs to be substantiated, not supposed because it strikes against your eschatological moorings.

Imperfect sinners seeking to live perfectly…

To be sure, there are (there will be) failures along the way. Just as there will be failures in your personal Christian walk, your role as a husband (or wife), as a parent, as an employee or business owner, as a pastor or parishioner. Failures occur because we are imperfect and are mere sinners saved by grace. But the pursuit and the perseverance are real and they belong to Christ as the source of our hope as His representatives on earth.

The Adjective is Applied Everywhere…

Just as you can have Christian people (men and women and children), and Christian marriages and families, and Christian churches and business, along with other institutions run by human representatives of Jesus Christ in whose image they are being slowly and steadily conformed; so too, is it possible to see such change in civil government bodies. Yes, even in nations.

The Christian leader meant to be a terror…

All that Joel Webbon is saying is that if godly leaders take their role/responsibility seriously. A role that they have received from on high from which they have been granted authority to judge righteously as God’s avenging ministers here on earth (Rom. 12:19; 13:1-5). It is no stretch of the imagination that such “princes” (rulers, magistrates, judges, officers, etc.) should rule with a godly hand (i.e., power, dominion, etc.).

Which is what? Exactly what the Scriptures prescribe. To use just weights and measures (Prov. 16:11; 20:10), and to punish the criminal and laud the good (godly) citizen (Rom. 13:3-4).

Does that mean that Christian leaders in the civil sphere of governance are authorized to use force to terrorize evil doers for doing evil in society? Absolutely! Does the murderer, the rapists, the kidnapper, the adulterer deserve death on the grounds of two to three witnesses? Is such a penalty lawful and just? Should those who desire to do such things, think twice? Should they curb their behavior out of fear of being dealt with swiftly and forcefully up to the full extent of the law (cf. Deut. 17:7; 21:21)?

I’d ask what you think, but I prefer to challenge you and say, “What do the Scriptures teach? Have you not read? Are you so slow to believe what the prophets have written? Are you in the position where you can speak back against God?”

Closing Remarks…

So, should a good (godly) governor (a “prince”) punish evil doers to the extent that others fear the justice that will be levied against them if they continue to pursue those things that they know are worthy of death? I think the answer is rather obvious. I also think that the reason why Phil Johnson fails to see the errors in his argument is because of presuppositional blinders that prevent him from contemplating the deeper implications of what it was that Joel Webbon was saying.

Christian Nationalism may not be a very good label or title, but the underlying premise is sound. We have dual citizenship in this life if we are Christ’s. We are children of the kingdom having been born again (John 3:5; cf. John 1:12), and we are children of this earth having been born of the flesh, having been granted a time and a place to live according to God’s desires (Acts 17:26). Both are true. We are commanded to think of both earthly and heavenly things and are tasked with joining those thoughts together into one cohesive whole:

“Our Father who art in heaven hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matt. 6:9-10).

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, has been granted authority in heaven and on earth, and we are tasked with making disciples of the nations, and baptizing them in the name of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded (Matt. 28:18-20).³

Good people should be awarded for their goodness and the evil should be punished so that they learn not to commit evil, with the end goal to drive evil from the midst of society—in the civil sphere. Like it or not, that is the teaching of Scripture and the apostle Paul leaves little room for debate in Romans 13.

You don’t have to like the position of another, but you do have to represent it fairly. As Christians we owe each other that much.

ENDNOTES:

1 “Kingdom Come: A Biblical Assessment of Christian Nationalism,” August 23, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRo8dsGKBsg

2 Timestamp: 12:23-12:47 (approx.).

3 Terms in bold are highlighted for emphasis. The directive in this passage from the Lord who has all authority in heaven and on earth is to “make” disciples, “and” baptize them in God’s name, “and” teach them to observe (obey) all that God and our King prescribes to us in His Law-word.