Are Leaders Appointed By God Or Does He Allow Them?

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For 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. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (Romans 13:1-7 NIV - see also Psalm 75:6-7; John 19:10-11)

"He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:21 ESV - also Isaiah 45:1; Hebrews 13:17).

These verses seem to suggest that God is responsible and 'endorses' or 'allows' every individual who is raised to a position of power and authority, such as Governors, Senators, Representatives, Mayors, and Presidents, who are all divinely handpicked, with all of their flaws and anti-biblical and demonic beliefs, such as unrestrained abortion on demand, same-sex relationships, trans-sexuality, restricting freedom of speech, racism of any kind, etc., as a matter of sovereign determination because the "authorities…have been established by God."

The word "established" is translated from the Greek word 'exousia,' which refers to anyone who has power or can exercise authority. It is a verb that invokes a sense of strong intent and purpose. However, the English word used for "established" isn't an active verb but a passive participle (Gk: 'tetagmenai'), which is derived from the Greek word 'tasso,' which is a verb that means to place in position, to arrange, or set things in a deliberate order. This word appears eight times in the New Testament (Matthew 28:16; Luke 7:8; Acts 13:48; 15:2; 22:10; 28:23; Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 16:15). The word means "to appoint, to order, or to arrange." However, the way it is used is altered because of the grammar. Instead of asserting that God is ordaining His personal choices for leadership, it is suggesting that leaders are in their position because God 'allows' them to be there because His disposition is to delay punishment for sin and is patient with those who need Him (See Romans 2:4; 3:25; 9:22).

To say God chooses or handpicks every leader, irrespective of the political process that brings them into office, also includes the bad ones as well, even those who have ruined people's lives, such as Hitler, Pol Pot, Vlad the Impaler, Attila the Hun, Trujillo, Stalin, Nero, Mussolini, Ivan the Terrible, Kim Il Sung, Henry VIII, Idi Amin, Mao Zedong, Saddam Hussein, Ayatollah Khomeini…, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, etc., etc., etc.

It is may seem that some leaders get elected/appointed without God's approval even though He is sovereign which means any leader can only be there because He allows them to be. It is not some divine mystery or meticulous theistic deterministic decree but rather that God will sometimes decide who will be a leader. Yet, He also allows people to pick leaders whose values are not those taught in God's Word.

"Israel cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction." (Hosea 8:2-4 NIV)

God has the sovereign power to "remove kings and raise up kings;" however, more often than not, He works with what people give Him. It is clear from the Bible that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity to accomplish His will within established governmental authority (Daniel 2:21 NIV).

The Purpose of Government

Jesus calls Christians to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). However, there is only one reason to disobey the government, and that is when the government commands them to violate any of God's laws (Acts 4:19-20; 5:27-29). The government exists and survives because God supports it. Yet when the rulers become too evil, God will judge them and punish them. God tolerates some evil from nations; but when they are excessively evil, God punishes them (See Zechariah 1:15).