Do Christians Want a Theocracy?

“Christians are trying to impose a theocracy.” It’s a common accusation hurled at believers today. Why? Because we speak out on issues like abortion, marriage, gender, and religious liberty. We plead for the protection of the unborn, the preservation of the family, and the freedom to worship.

Let’s be clear: All laws legislate morality. The question is never if morality will be legislated—but whose morality will shape our society. When lawmakers legalize the killing of babies in the womb, that is not neutrality. When the state redefines marriage, they are imposing a new moral framework. When society penalizes Christians for upholding Biblical Truth, it is not tolerance—it is applying a new orthodoxy.

So do Christians want a theocracy—a government ruled directly by God, like ancient Israel?

No. The theocracy of Israel was a unique, temporary arrangement under the Old Covenant. Even the Israelites ultimately rejected it when they demanded a human king (see 1 Samuel 8). Under the New Covenant, God no longer rules through a national system—He rules through the hearts of those who love Him.

Second, I believe what Christians actually long for is not theocracy, but Theos—God Himself. We desire His rule in our hearts, our homes, our churches, and the freedom to live out that faith in society.

Biblical Principles Lead Societies to Flourish

When God rules in individual hearts, society flourishes: there is peace, lawfulness, justice, and love for neighbor. That is not speculative—it is historical fact.

It was Biblical Christianity—not secular or progressive ideologies—that inspired the abolition of slavery, the rise of modern education, the establishment of hospitals, and the advancement of science and human rights. It was Biblical Christianity that emboldened men like William Wilberforce and Martin Luther King Jr. to confront the evils of their age.

These great social transformations did not come through theocratic control, but through believers proclaiming the Gospel, discipling others, and standing firm for the Truth—even when it was unpopular.

As I wrote in my book Hope for This Present Crisis, freedom only flourishes when people are self-governed by God. It is “between the guardrails of the Lord’s teaching” that true liberty resides. Outside those guardrails, there is only enslavement—to sin, tyranny, and despair.

The Founding Fathers understood this. They knew that no government—no matter how wise—could bring heaven to earth. That’s why they studied various forms of government—monarchies, oligarchies, even democracies—and settled on a constitutional republic.

It was a system designed for a fallen world, where power must be restrained and checked. John Adams said it best:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Every functioning civilization rests on some moral framework. Ours was shaped by the Judeo-Christian worldview, which brought stability, liberty, and flourishing. Remove those guardrails, and chaos ensues. Freedom can’t exist without Truth—it’s a slow descent into bondage.

So when we uphold Biblical principles in society, it is not coercion; it is grace. When laws protect life and uphold Truth, no one is being forced to worship God. Rather, these moral boundaries serve as societal guardrails, preserving order and human dignity.

Our Calling as Believers

So what is our role in this cultural moment? It is not to recreate the ancient theocracy of Israel or to seize political power. It is to show the world what it looks like when God rules a life.

When Jesus is Lord over our hearts, it will be evident in our marriages, our parenting, our work, and our worship. We will display a peace that confounds the world, a joy that defies circumstances, a love that refuses to compromise Truth.

That’s why, when a man once asked me, “Dr. Youssef, are you trying to Christianize America?” I told him, “Absolutely not—I want to Christianize the world!” That’s the Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. Because wherever Christ reigns, the fruit is righteousness.

America at a Crossroads

Let me offer a closing reminder from Psalm 93:‍

“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; . . . Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.”

God is not waiting to be crowned. He is already King. Jesus Christ, once rejected and crucified, now reigns in splendor over the universe. His majesty cannot be diminished by earthly rulers or raging cultures.

The question is, will we return to the God of our Founding Fathers—or plunge deeper into the chaos of secularism and self-worship? Will we accept the blessings of His reign in our lives—or reject them and descend into bondage?

This is why a spiritual awakening is America’s only hope. We need a revival of Truth, of repentance, of bold witness, of hearts surrendered wholly to Christ. So let us pray—earnestly and unceasingly—for a revival in our homes and churches that leads to awakening in our nation.

The answer won’t come from Congress or the courts. It begins with the Church. It begins with us.

So let us choose the rule of God. Let us proclaim His Truth. Let us live lives so transformed by His grace that even those who oppose Christ must take notice. And let us remember:

The Lord reigns—now and forever. Amen.

Let’s Seek God’s Rule—Together

True revival begins when Christ reigns not just in our churches, but in our hearts, homes, and cities. That’s why we’re gathering believers across the nation to cry out for spiritual awakening in America.

Join the AWAKE America Facebook community to connect with others who are praying, sharing, and standing for Truth in this critical hour. Together, we’re asking God to do what only He can: change hearts and transform a nation.