Benevolent Dictator: Wonderful Counselor

We can be grateful that in our country we have not had to suffer the sorrow and heartache of a despotic ruler, such as wicked king Ahaz. The framers of the Constitution were wise enough to understand that tyranny results when a person, or particular faction, is allowed to have absolute authority. The separation of powers effected by establishing three branches of government has proven to be a hedge against such an accretion of power. But it is a sad commentary on the untrustworthiness of fallen man that a such form of government was thought necessary. As Lord Acton famously observed, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Advent is the season when the church looks backward and forward at the same time. We look backward to the fulfillment of the promise of a coming deliverer, and forward to the fulness of his deliverance. And that fulness entails his assuming the role of benevolent dictator, wise, just, and righteous. May God hasten the day!