Christians and Government

Are Christians to be known as those who resist the leaders of government? In Geneva, under Calvin's influence, no such resistance was promoted.

From the Geneva Confession (perhaps authored by John Calvin though we are not sure) we read:
"We hold the supremacy and dominion as much of kings and princes as of other magistrates and superiors, to be a holy thing and a good ordinance of God. And since they in performing their office serve God and follow a Christian vocation, whether in defending the afflicted and innocent, or in correcting and punishing the malice of the perverse, we on our part also ought to bear then honor and reverence, to render obedience and subjection, to execute their commands, to bear the burdens they impose on us, so far as we are able without offense to God. In sum, we ought to esteem them as vicars and lieutenants of God whom one cannot resist without resisting God Himself and their office as a sacred commission from God which has been given them so that they may rule and govern us. Hence we hold that all Christians are bound to pray to God for the prosperity of the superiors and lords of the country where they live, to obey the statutes and ordinances which do not contravene the commandments of God, to promote the good, the tranquility, and the public utility, endeavoring to sustain the honor of superiours and the tranquility of the people, without contriving or attempting anything to inspire trouble or dissension. And on the other hand, we declare that all those who conduct themselves unfaithfully towards their superiors, and do not have a proper affection for the public good of the country where they live, demonstrate their infidelity towards God." Translated by James T. Dennison, Jr. from "Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries IN English Translation, Vol 1." Published by Reformation Heritage.

Though our context is different from that of John Calvin living in Geneva the confession nevertheless reflects Scriptural principles of how a Christian is to respond to those in authority (Romans 13).