In praise of Monarchy and Establishment

From a fascinating paper by IMO the best theologian bishop around.(Admittedly a field with very few competitors :-( ) Sample quotes below.

The New Testament offers a theology of rulers and authorities as appointed by God. This places a huge weight of responsibility on the authorities which many modern democratic rulers cheerfully ignore. What is striking about the British monarchy, and some others that still remain, is that they openly acknowledge and indeed celebrate this responsibility. N. T. Wright , GOD AND CAESAR, THEN AND NOW, Festschrift for Dr Wesley Carr, 2003, ,http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_God_Caesar.pdf

All human power-systems are subject to Christian critique. All power can become idolatrous. Every knee shall bow at Jesus' name, and we must never tire of saying so. But there is another side to the story. Today's cheap-and-chattering republicanism owes nothing to the Christian critique of human power, and everything to the sneer of the cynic, noting the price of everything but ignoring its value.- ibid

Monarchy is a reminder that the justice and mercy which rulers must practice are not their possession, but come from elsewhere; they are part of the God-given created order. .- ibid