What does the Bible say about law enforcement and the police?

 

ANGEL SUAREZ

HAWTHORNE COMMUNITY BIBLE SCHOOL

COURSE: A THEOLOGY OF WORK

WINTER 2025

INSTRUCTOR: PASTOR DAVID SCHUIT

What does the Bible say about law enforcement and the police?

It’s fairly well known that God gave a set of laws and with it guidelines for the enforcement of those laws. Not only did the Mosaic Law define sin, but it specified penalties for those who broke the Law. Any law is essentially meaningless without enforcement. The people in Bible times may not have had a police force as we think of one today, but they definitely had those who promoted justice by enforcing the law. The Bible’s references to watchmen (Ezekiel 33:6), armed guards (Nehemiah 4:13), and judges (Ezekiel 44:24 and the whole book of Judges) could be seen as examples of law enforcement.

God is a God of justice (Deuteronomy 32:4), and He demands justice of His people: “Follow justice and justice alone” (Deuteronomy 16:20). This command implies the necessity of law enforcement. God has always given the responsibility of enforcing the law (and thereby maintaining justice) to man. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; / uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. / Rescue the weak and the needy; / deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3–4).

Romans 13 deals with submission to government authorities, and the same passage is instructive on the purpose of law enforcement and police work: “Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. . . . The one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:3–4). Police officers or peace officers represent the “rulers” mentioned in this passage and extend their authority.

Therefore, a Christian involved in law enforcement or police work is doing a good and godly thing. The police officer who enforces the just law of the land should consider himself or herself God’s servant and, toward the lawbreaker, an agent of God’s wrath sent to keep the peace. One of the most important jobs of every police officer is the restraint of evil in society—a dangerous career, a noble calling, and a profession congruent with a biblical desire for justice and righteousness.

 APPLYING A THEOLOGY OF  WORK TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

A theology of work views law enforcement as a divinely ordained role for upholding justice and social peacekeeping, with officers serving as "God's servants" to punish wrongdoers and maintain order, a calling supported by biblical principles in texts like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. This perspective emphasizes social peace and the protection of the vulnerable, encouraging officers to act with integrity, fairness, and Christ-like compassion, while also recognizing the need for personal faith and discipline to navigate the inherent complexities and dangers of the profession. 

Biblical Basis

• Romans 13 & 1 Peter 2: 

  These passages support the idea that governing authorities and their agents, like law enforcement, are established by God to promote good and restrain evil. Officers are seen as God's servants, extending his wrath to punish the wrongdoer and maintain a peaceful social order. 
• Matthew 5:9: 

  Jesus' declaration, "Blessed are the peacemakers," resonates with the mission of police work. Officers have unique opportunities to serve as peacemakers in moments of extraordinary need, fostering an environment where people can live out their faith. 

Application in Law Enforcement

• A Noble Calling: 

  Law enforcement is viewed as a noble and God-ordained calling, not merely a job, but a vital function of maintaining a righteous and just society. 
• Restraint of Evil: 

  A key aspect of this theology is the active restraint of evil and the protection of the public from harm. 
• Social Peacekeeping: 

  Police work is understood as fostering and maintaining a social environment where individuals and groups can pursue their legitimate goals and enjoy freedom. 
• Compassion and Integrity: 

  Despite their role in punishing wrongdoing, officers are called to extend empathy and compassion to those they encounter, embodying Christ-like love and integrity. 

Challenges and Perspectives

• Moral Complexity: 

  Law enforcement involves navigating complex moral situations, where officers' faith can serve as a foundation for strength and guidance. 
• Balance of Authority and Love: 

  While upholding authority and punishing wrongdoers, officers are also called to a higher standard of justice and compassion, reflecting God's heart for all people. 
• Support for Officers: 

  Christians are encouraged to pray for law enforcement, support their challenging work, and encourage them to act with fairness and integrity. 

Applying a Theology of Work in law enforcement involves using religious principles to guide ethical conduct, promote social peacekeeping, and foster community well-being by viewing law enforcement as a calling to serve God and humanity. This includes upholding ethics in challenging situations, fostering spiritual balance, and working collaboratively with community groups, particularly faith-based organizations, to address root causes of crime and build a more just society. 

Ethical Framework

• Guiding ethical principles: 

  A Theology of Work provides a framework to navigate moral dilemmas by emphasizing principles of justice, compassion, and the inherent worth of every human life. 
• Combating subcultures: 

  It provides a basis for resisting workplace or subcultural pressures that might compromise personal ethics and to act with integrity, even when difficult. 
• Seeking common ground: 

  It encourages professionals to find common values with diverse groups, rather than focusing on divisions, to foster a spirit of cooperation and understanding within the community. 

Service and Calling

• Social peacekeeping: 

  Law enforcement is seen as a vocation to maintain a peaceful social order that allows individuals and communities to pursue their legitimate goals and to live out their God-given purpose. 
• Confronting evil: 

  It views law enforcement officers as agents used by God to confront evil and restrain criminal forces, thereby maintaining civil society. 
• Spiritual strength: 

  A strong spiritual foundation provides officers with strength, purpose, and hope to handle the inherent stresses, chaos, and danger of the job. 

Community Engagement

• Faith-based collaboration: 

  A Theology of Work supports active engagement with faith-based organizations to leverage their resources and community trust to implement programs that enhance safety and quality of life. 
• Community values: 

  By focusing on universal community values such as safety and freedom, law enforcement can collaborate with faith-based groups to identify threats and develop effective intervention strategies. 
• Modeling positive behavior: 

  The application of theological principles can lead to officers modeling compassion, ethical behavior, and humility, which can positively influence community relations and address the root causes of crime. 
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