This modified excerpt comes from Chapter 17, Government, Politics, And Citizenship, The Bible I Never Knew: A Closer Look at Christianity’s Main Themes. (Dr. Peter Bylsma, Byblio Press, 2024). The chapter summarizes the Bible’s stories and teachings related to government, politics, and citizenship and the related themes of laws, taxes, submitting to authority, nationalism, patriotism, and freedom.

The term freedom is used in different ways in the Bible. The freedoms that governments provide are implied in the biblical narratives. People were free to live and travel where they want, to do business with others and spend their money how they want, to follow and believe different religions and philosophies, to choose their voca­tions and friends, to discuss and debate the merits of an argument, and to act in immoral ways that don’t interfere with the freedoms and safety of others. Good governments don’t try to control these aspects of society, don’t intrude into a person’s private life, and don’t force people to do something against their will. Some govern­ments include these basic principles in their charter or constitution.

God never forces people to obey — good relationships never depend on force and control. We are given freedom to choose, including the freedom to make bad decisions, for which there will be consequences. But hopefully we learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Adam and Eve were free to live as they chose in the Garden of Eden and they had only one restriction. Both Moses and Joshua told the Israelites that they had a choice about how they could live. In Deuteronomy 30, Moses said, “Walk in obedience, love and serve the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul. Keep God’s commands and decrees I’m giving you today for your own good. This isn’t too difficult for you. Today, I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction. Choose life.” When Joshua was about to die, he said people should stay faithful and concluded, “If serving the Lord seems hard for you, then you need to choose who you will serve, whether the gods of your ancestors or the gods of the Amorites where you live now. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15). When the Israelites didn’t follow God and made bad decisions, they were eventually punished. In the story of the prodigal son, the father set his son free to pursue his earthly desires but hoped and prayed he would come back home.

Of course, freedoms need to be restricted to ensure the safety and well-being of society. Laws are created to ensure justice, fair­ness, and public safety. Parents put restrictions on their children for their own good and for the good of the family, neighborhood, and society. Those who grow up without restrictions and accountability become reckless and selfish and endanger society. But laws should not oppress or exclude some people in order to benefit others. Sometimes selfish people who wield power create laws and rules that keep themselves in power and favor their own interests at the expense of others. When this happens, we should speak the truth and call for changes in the laws and rules.

The term “freedom” is explicitly used in two ways in the Bible. First, it referred to the literal freedom people had from being controlled by others. The Israelites were freed from working as slaves for the Egyptians, and Moses and many others often reminded them how God saved them from slavery. The Israelites lost their freedom and were taken prisoners of the nations that conquered them. The apostles were set free from jails. Paul and Peter wrote that one’s freedoms should not be abused. “You say you have the right to do anything, but some things are not helpful. You were called to be free, but don’t use your freedom to indulge the flesh; instead, serve one another humbly in love” (1Cor 6:12, Gal 5:13). “Live as free people, but don’t use your freedom to cover-up evil; live as God’s slaves” (1Pet 2:16).

The Old and New Testaments also talk about “freedom” in the spiritual and emotional sense, and it was often contrasted with a spiritual form of slavery and bondage. The first public speech by Jesus included a reading from Isaiah 61, which referred to the Messiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me: God has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. God sent me to proclaim free­dom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free and proclaim the year of Jubilee.  (Luke 4:18–19)

Jesus was using the terms both literally and metaphorically as he claimed he was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (the Jews thought of the terms literally). The year of Jubilee was the 50th year when all debts were released, giving freedom to those who had long-term debts. The Psalms also refer to freedom this way (Psa 18:5, 119:45). Justice can bring both literal and emotional freedom for those who are oppressed and falsely accused.

Many New Testament passages talk about the spiritual dimen­sion of freedom and slavery. Jesus talked about freedom and truth when he talked to Jews who believed him: “If you embrace my words, you are my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be truly free” (John 8:31–32,36).

Paul wrote to the churches about freedom and slavery in a spiritual sense.

Our old self has died; we are no longer slaves, and we have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. So those who follow Christ are no longer condemned. The law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. God’s Spirit doesn’t make you a slave and make you afraid again. (Rom 6:6–7,18,22; 8:1–2,15)

Paul told the churches in Corinth and Galatia the same thing: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Christ has set us free. Stand firm and don’t become burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (2Cor 3:17, Gal 5:1).

People become slaves to those they follow (Rom 6:16), so those who follow Jesus take on a different kind of slavery, a devotion to Christ. “When you were slaves, God called you and made you free. Those who are free are now Christ’s slaves; you were bought with a price, so don’t become slaves of others” (1Cor 7:22–23).[1] But this is not too big of a burden. Jesus said his yoke is easy and light, like the yoke on animals that guide them (Matt 11:29–30).

* * * * * * *

In the entrance to the CIA headquarters building in Virginia, there is a structure that says: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The verse has merit as part of the CIA’s mandate to provide accurate information to America’s political leaders about what is happening in the world. However, Jesus’s words were not about political or individual freedom. While the truth can lead to political freedom, we are to put our trust in God, not in our nation, military, money, or minds.

  [1] Many forms of slavery existed during Biblical times, and it was different from how we think of slavery today. Sometimes it was an economic arrangement that had specific conditions, like paying off a debt. However, slavery could be involuntary and cruel, and both Nehemiah and Paul condemned it (Neh 5, 1Tim 1:10).