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God, Man, Power: Religious and Moral Foundations of Power

https://doi.org/10.56654/ROPI-2026-1(18)-180-197

Abstract

The article explores the complex interrelationship between religious faith, the personality of the ruler, and the nature of power. Through the prism of the Christian worldview and historical examples — from biblical prophets and kings to modern statesmen — the work examines how faith and moral principles influence political decision-making and the legitimacy of power. The key thesis of the article is that genuine and sustainable power should be based not on a lust for power, but on service — both to society and to higher ethical and religious ideals. The authors emphasize that the attitude of power towards people is essentially an attitude towards God, and that true leadership requires a readiness for sacrifice and self-giving. The figure of Andrey Belousov is presented as a contemporary example of such a synthesis of competence and profound personal faith. The article also provides an analysis of historical and biblical narratives illustrating the mechanisms of divine intervention in governance and the accountability of rulers to a supreme moral law.

About the Authors

K. E. Golubev
Orthodox Parish of the Church of the Balykinskaya Icon of the Mother of God
Russian Federation

Konstantin E. Golubev (hieromonk Nikolay), CandSc (Hist.), Dean of the Nelidovsky District, Pastor of Orthodox Parish of the Church of the Balykinskay Icon of the Mother of God  

Nelidovo



V. A. Pyzin
Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Russian Federation

Vladimir A. Pyzin, CandSc (Soc.), Director of Center of electoral technologies, scientific director of the School of Political Professionology, author and head of the program “Internal Policy and Leadership”

Moscow



V. Y. Bauer
Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Russian Federation

Veronica Y. Bauer, Curator of the program “Internal Policy and Political Technologies” of the Faculty of Public and Municipal Administration

Moscow



References

1. Broad, W. (2007), The Delphic Oracle (V. Artemov, Trans.). Moscow: Eksmo. 352 p. (In Russian)

2. Internal politics and leadership: a collection of scientific papers of the scientific and practical school of political proffesionology. 5 th issue, under the scientific editorship of V.V. Komleva; under the general editorship of V.A. Pyzin. Moscow: IRMI Publishing House. 639 p. ISBN 978-5-6046994-0-9. EDN SACOQY. (In Russian)

3. Colson, C., & Vaughn, E.S. (2001), The Conflict of Kingdoms. Cherkassy: Smyrna Publishing House. 587 p. (In Russian)

4. Lopukhin, A.P. (Ed.) (2009), The Explanatory Bible, or Commentaries on All the Books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (4th ed.). In 7 vols. Vol. 1: The Pentateuch; Historical Books. Moscow: Dar. 1055 p. (In Russian)


Review

For citations:


Golubev K.E., Pyzin V.A., Bauer V.Y. God, Man, Power: Religious and Moral Foundations of Power. Russia: Society, Politics, History. 2026;(1(18)):180-197. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.56654/ROPI-2026-1(18)-180-197

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ISSN 2949-1142 (Print)
ISSN 2782-621X (Online)