Dissatisfaction with government is running high these days, and not just in Egypt, Syria, and Greece. We feel the unrest here in our own country. Have governments lost their ability to govern?

Or are they extended way beyond what’s reasonable to expect of civil governments? If that’s the case, it won’t be easy getting the toothpaste back into the tube. Big governments only very reluctantly do anything other than get bigger.

But before we put all the blame on our elected officials, we need to remember that, at the end of the day, at least in this country, “we the people” get the government we choose. So the problem with big government lies as much in our desire to have government “do” for us as in government’s hunger for more expansive power.

Can anything be done? Certainly. We need to begin with prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-3) and with educating ourselves about the proper role of government, including that of “we the people.”

To which end, Talking Points to the rescue! Here are some excellent resources from The Colson Library that deal with the role of government and of the governed. You need to read these and pass them along to others. It’s getting late in America, and those who hope to make something different out of our present bloated government need to get busy now. These resources and activities can help.

Resources for this topic

Good Government or Big Government by Chuck Colson (Two-Minute Warning)

The Role of Responsibility in a Free Society by Fr. Robert Sirico

In Defense of the Minimal by Phillip W. De Vous

Christian View of Government and Law by Kerby Anderson

Biblical Foundations of Limited Government by Doug Bandow.

“Letter to a Young Friend: What Is the Purpose of Government?” by Gary D. Robinson

The Limits of Politics ViewPoint study series by T. M. Moore (pdf)

One Nation Under God? by T. M. Moore

For more insight to this topic, get the book, God and Government, by Chuck Colson.

Activities

1. Get the DVD series, God and Government, by Chuck Colson from our online bookstore. Work through it yourself, then get a group of friends to study it together with you. Make plans as a result of what you learn to become more responsible members of “we the people” as a result of your study.
2. Talk with your pastor and church leaders concerning their view of the role of the local church in helping people to be responsible Christian members of “we the people.” See if you can get your leaders committed to some kind of training or study in Christian citizenship. Share some of the resources above with your pastor and church leaders.
3. Email today’s Talking Points column to several Christian friends. Challenge them to read some of the resources, watch the Two-Minute Warning, and take on one of the activities.

A conversation starter