Formerly a supporter of American democracy, David Lipscomb became an outspoken opponent of a Christian's involvement in civil government, due primarily to the bitterness and rancor of the American Civil War. Lipscomb's book, On Civil Government, originated as a series of articles on the subject.

This new edition is prayerfully offered to Christians as a plea not to allow the American political process to rob the church of her love and compassion for others, to tempt her to place her trust in man, nor distract her from the Great Commission.