Self-Government

The Principle of Self-Government is rooted in the Principle of Individuality. It is the second foundational principle for a free society and nation. There are several aspects to self-government that are essential to comprehend.

Government means direction, regulation, control, and restraint. “Government” refers to four particular spheres:

• Individual
• Family
• Church
• Civil

This article addresses the sphere of the individual. However, various courses at Biblical Classical Community address a variety of the spheres of government. Namely, Bill Burtness’ unique course on Biblical Civics 101 teaches high school to adults about self-government and its relationship to civil government.

Self-Discipline and Self-Government

Sometimes self-discipline and self-government are confused. Self-discipline refers to good habits. Whereas self-government refers to moral matters and governing oneself under God.

How Does Self-Government Relate Free Society and Nation?

The more self-governed individuals are the more liberty they have because they are making wise or moral choices. Conversely, the less self-government an individual has the more outside control there needs to be due to unwise or immoral choices. However, it must be noted that all individuals are governed under God—whether or not they acknowledge God.

Areas of Self-Government

Governing oneself not only pertains to doing what is morally right, it also encompasses the following:

• Home economics (living frugally and using God-given resources wisely)
• Taking initiative (a character for liberty means not waiting to be told what to do)
• Being industrious (we must use our energy and time wisely)
• Being self-reliant (but asking for help when truly needing it)
• Having confidence (our confidence is in the Lord)

The Keys to Being Self-Governed

Choosing Christian self-government means choosing to be governed under God. That is to say, it’s the Christian choosing to allow Christ to govern in and through him or her.

The following quote by Hugo Grotius, 1654, offers other keys:

“He knows not how to rule a kingdome, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nore he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man Goern well a Family that knows now how to Govern himself; neither can any Govern himselfe unless his reason be Lord, Will and Appetite her Vassals: nor can Reason rule unless herselfe be ruled by God, and (wholy) be obedient to Him.”