For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Is our situation with reference to government today any different from that when Peter penned his epistle?  There is, of course, the principle that in a democratic society, the people themselves are those who govern; and there is a vast difference in that.  The difference, however, still does not license illegal and rebellious behavior against the duly constituted authorities.  The great practical difference is that a Christian should actively participate in the affairs of his government. Agreement is felt with Barclay who said that "It is tragic that so few Christians really fulfill their obligation to the state and the society in which they live."[43]