“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

by George Washington.

This popped up in my ears a few weeks ago and I found my self analyzing it. Is this true? That I even question that raises greater questions. A few years ago, I would never have questioned whether or not it was true. A Founding Father stated that government is dependent upon my faith for effectiveness and that sounded good enough for me. George Washington, however, is not a source of absolute truth. That is, unless he is repeating absolute truth from Scripture. Does this statement match that criteria?

Answering that question may be harder than it sounds, as this statement can be taken to mean a number of different things.

Does Washington mean that a governor (head of state) must be a Christian? Or at least believe in God? Not True

Because Scripture comments little on the character/qualifications of governmental leaders, we must not erect additional standards. Scripture simply presents God's purpose for government- to be an authority over sinful men by punishing evil and rewarding and allowing good (Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13). This will be done imperfectly by a Christian or pagan ruler the same.

Does he mean that law and policy must be based on Scripture? Not True

Scripture does include commands that government are designed to fulfill. For example, government was initially instituted by God for the purposes of capital punishment (Gen. 9). Government must fulfill these charges to be most effective, but that does not excluded other law or policy being employed without Scriptural origin. It also does not mean that the governor and/or the people must realize, acknowledge, or agree with the origin of the Biblical commands.

Does he mean that government exists always and only under the Sovereignty of God? True

As God's sovereignty is absolute over universe, human governments are included (Rom. 13). In that, Washington would be correct, but that leaved the mention of the Bible to be accounted for.

It is possible to rightly govern without acknowledging God's existence, sovereignty, or expectations, but it cannot be done with out still accomplishing those expectations under the sovereignty of an actual God.