The King and His Subjects: Insights from the Biblical Vision

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Professor, Faculty of Eastern Canon Law, Pontificio Istituto Orientale, Rome, ‎Italy. ‎

Abstract

This article explores key verses from the Old and New Testaments to formulate a Biblical view of leadership focused on service, justice, and the common good. Drawing upon texts from Genesis, Deuteronomy, the Books of Samuel, Psalms, the Books of the Maccabees, and several New Testament texts (including Matthew, Luke, Mark, and 1 Peter), the study contrasts positive models of servant leadership (such as Moses, David, Solomon, and St. Joseph) with negative models (such as Antiochus IV Epiphanes). The article argues that the Bible consistently describes legitimate authority as being characterized by accountability to God, humility, care for the vulnerable, and the promotion of communal flourishing. It further connects this Biblical ideal to the concept of the common good within Catholic Social Teaching (citing, for example, the papal encyclical Laudato si’), suggesting that the leader's primary role is to create social conditions that enable the integrated growth of individuals and communities. The implications of this vision for contemporary political and ecclesiastical leadership include prioritizing justice, protecting distinct communal identities, and fostering participatory structures for public prosperity.

Keywords

References

Francis. (2015). Laudato si’: On care for our common home (Encyclical letter). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible. (1989). National Council of the Churches of Christ.
Semmelroth, O. (1969). Commentary on Gaudium et spes (H. Vorgrimler, Ed.). In Commentary on the Documents of Vatican II (Vol. 5, pp. 170–172). London: Burns & Oates.
Vatican Council II (1965). Gaudium et spes n. 26, promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 7 December 1965. In Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils (N. P. Tanner, Trans & Ed.). London-Washington DC: Sheed & Ward / Georgetown University Press
Theosophia Islamica
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
November 2025
Pages 78-102

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