R. J. Rushdoony on Illegal Immigration as Comparable to Breaking and Entering

According to R. J. Rushdoony, illegal immigration warrants deportation. While there may be exceptions — e.g., backed by Christ's authority to disciple all nations (Matt. 28:18-20), it seems that Christian missionaries, if necessary, can illegally enter nations that prohibit sharing the Gospel — Rushdoony's point is well taken:

Well, first of all they [illegal immigrants] have broken the law. And justice to everyone requires that the law be upheld. So if they are illegal aliens they should be deported. Now that’s justice because it’s comparable to breaking and entering into a man’s house.

Rushdoony also says: 

If there should be a change in the immigration laws there are ways of making change but there’s also a failure in our current practice of reciprocity. For example, we allow entrance to peoples who will not allow anyone from our country to migrate there or to own property. That is hardly justice.

-- from the audio lecture "Justice and World Law," transcribed at Pocket College. 


For resources on borders and immigration from a biblical perspective, click here.

Bullinger Defends Calvin on the Execution of Servetus

Henry Bullinger, in defense of a work of John Calvin on punishing heretics, wrote to him the following words of encouragement—including agreement with Calvin's support for the execution of Servetus, who was guilty of vile blasphemies:

I know that many have wished that you had not defended this principle; but many also thank you, and among others our church. Urbanus Regius has long ago proved, in a work of his own, and all the ministers of Luneberg agree with him, that heretics, when they are blasphemers, ought to be punished. There are also many other pious men who think the same, and consider that such offenders ought not only to be silenced, but to be put to death. Do not repent therefore of what you have done: the Lord will uphold your righteous efforts. I know that your disposition is not cruel, and that you will favour no barbarity. Who knows not, that a boundary must be set to things of this kind? But how it could be possible to spare such a man as Servetus, that serpent of all heresies, that most obdurate of men, I see not.[1]

[1] Cited in Paul Henry, The Life and Times of John Calvin, the Great Reformer: Volume II, trans. Henry Stebbing (London: Whittaker and Co., 1849), 234.


    
    

Jonathan Edwards on God as the Supreme Magistrate

Mankind cannot subsist out of society, especially if we comprehend families in the number of societies, and families cannot subsist without the protection of greater societies. As children depend absolutely on families for subsistence, so do families on kingdoms and commonwealths, for peace, security, property, life and everything. And societies cannot subsist without laws. Its members must know by what constitutions or customs they are to regulate their actions. And magistrates are as necessary as laws, for let the laws be never so good, they cannot execute themselves. 

And that laws and magistracy may answer that end, there is need of a Supreme Magistrate, who is almighty, perfectly wise and just, all-knowing, and perfectly acquainted with the conduct of inferior magistrates and of all subjects. Otherwise, the greatest irregularities and enormities may be committed by both with impunity. And it is necessary officers and subjects should know that they are under such a Supreme Magistrate, thus perfectly wise and just, who perfectly inspects and takes care of the society, will judge all, will reward and punish, and that all must give an account of themselves to him, otherwise the welfare of society will not be influenced by his government. That man, who does not believe that he is to account, in the severest manner, for the use and application of his power, ought never to be trusted with any power, because he will endeavor to draw all the advantages of society to himself and his instruments, and turn all its weight and strength against those who thwart his usurpations. 

How can mankind be more unhappy than under a fallible, or I should rather say, a corrupt administration that stands in awe of no superior? As to the subjects, if they do not look upon themselves as accountable to one that is omniscient, omnipotent, and inflexibly just, they will follow their own private ends, in all cases wherein authority can be resisted or evaded, which may be done in most cases. Public societies cannot be maintained without trials and witnesses. And if witnesses are not firmly persuaded that he who holds the supreme power over them is omniscient, just, and powerful, and will revenge falsehood, there will be no dependence on their oaths, or most solemn declarations.

God therefore must be the supreme magistrate. Society depends absolutely on him, and all kingdoms and communities are but provinces of his universal kingdom, who is King of kings, Lord of lords, and Judge of judges.

Thus, as mankind cannot subsist out of society, nor society itself subsist without religion. I mean, without faith in the infinite power, wisdom, and justice of God and a judgment to come; religion cannot be a falsehood. It is not credible that all the happiness of mankind, the whole civil world, and peace, safety, justice, and truth itself, should have nothing to stand on but a lie. It is not to be supposed that God would give the world no other foundation. So that religion is absolutely necessary, and must have some sure foundation.

Jonathan Edwards, Deism Revealed (2nd edition). Cited in "Reason by Jonathan Edwards" at A Puritan's Mind. Retrieved June 11, 2014 from http://www.apuritansmind.com/puritan-favorites/jonathan-edwards/miscellaneous-writings/reason

The Prince of Condé on Trusting in God for Military Victory

The Huguenot leader and general Louis I de Bourbon (1530-1569), or the Prince of Condé, exclaimed the following during the Battle of Jarnac:

My friends, true noblesse of France, here is the opportunity we have long wished for in vain! Our God is the God of Battles. He loves to be so called. He always declares Himself for the right, and never fails to succor those who serve Him. He will infallibly protect us, if, after having taken up arms for the liberty of our consciences, we put all our hope in Him. Come and let us complete what the first charges have begun; and remember in what a state Louis of Bourbon entered into the combat for Christ and for his native land![1]

Unfortunately, the Prince of Condé died in the battle, which the Hugeunots ultimately lost; God does not always grant His people victory in battle, but sometimes chastens them as a loving Father. Nevertheless, Condé's words have merit: God is indeed a God of Battles, and he can and often does grant victory to those who trust in Him. 

Notes
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[1] Henry M. Baird, History of the Rise of the Huguenots of France: Volume II (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1896), 302.

Rulers Must Adopt the Judicial Law of Moses & Defend God's Honor (Nathaniel Morton)

Pilgrims thanking God for their safe arrival in Plymouth, MA. According to
the Pilgrim Nathaniel Morton, they would go on to work to frame their laws
on the Old Testament judicial laws of moral equity.

Nathaniel Morton (1616-1685), Pilgrim Separatist and Secretary of Plymouth Colony, wrote in 1658 about the duties of civil governments to base their constitutions on the judicial law of Moses and to defend God's honor -- which Plymouth Colony had sought to do in the framing of its own laws:

To our beloved Brethren and Neighbors the Inhabitants of the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth the Governor: Assistants and Deputies Assembled at the general Court of that Jurisdiction held at the town of Plymouth the 29th of September 1658, wisheth Grace and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was the great privilege of Israel of old and so was acknowledged by them Nehemiah the 9th and 13. that God gave them right Judgments and true Laws; for God being the God of order and not of confusion hath Commanded in his word and put man into a Capacity in some measure to observe and be guided by good and wholesome laws; which are so far good and wholesome as by how much they are derived from and agreeable to the Ancient platform of God's law; for although sundry particulars in the Judicial law which was of old Enjoined to the Jews did more especially (at least in some circumstances) befit their pedagogy;

yet are they for the main so exemplary being grounded on principles of moral equity as that all men Christians especially ought always to have an eye thereunto in the framing of their political Constitutions; and although several of the heathen Nations who were Ignorant of the true God and of his law have been famous in their times for the enacting and execution of such laws as have proved profitable for the Government of their Commonwealths in the times wherein they lived Notwithstanding their excellency appeared so far as they were founded upon grounds of moral equity which hath its original from the Law of God; 

And accordingly we who have been actors in the framing of this Small body of laws together with other useful Instruments who are gone to their rest; can safely say both for our selves and them that we have had an eye principally and primarily unto the aforesaid platform; and secondarily unto the Right Improvement of the liberties granted unto us by our Superiors the State of England at the first beginning of this infant plantation which was to enact such laws as should most befit a State in the nonage thereof; 

not rejecting or omitting to observe such of the laws of our Native Country as would conduce unto the good and growth of so weak a beginning as ours in this wilderness; as any Impartial eye Not forestalled with prejudice may easily discern in the pusall [perusal?] of this small book of the laws of our Colony; The premises duly considered might work every conscientious spirit to faithful obedience, And although wee hold and do affirm that both Courts of Justice and magistrates who are the ministers of the law are essentially Civil; 

Notwithstanding we conceive that as the magistrate hath his power from God so undoubtedly he is to Improve it for the honor of God and that in the upholding of his Worship and service and against the contrary with due respect also to be had unto those that are really conscientious though differing and descenting in some smaller matters; but if any really or in pretense of conscience shall profess that which eminently tendeth to the Invndation [Invalidation?] of Civil State and violation of Natural bonds or the overthrow of the churches of God or his worship that here prudence is to be Improved in the enacting and execution of laws; It hath been our Endeavor in the framing of our laws that nothing should be found amongst them but what will fall under the same particulars we have likewise reduced them to such order as they may most conduce to our vtillitie [vitality? utility?] and profit; 

possibly it may be that weakens may appear in the composure of sundry of them for want of such plenty of able Instruments as others are furnished withal; however let this suffice the gentle Reader that our ends are; to the utmost of our power in these our Endeavors to promote the common good both of Church and State both at present and for future; and therefore so far as we have aimed at the glory of God and common good and acted according to God, be not found a Resister but obedient lest thereby thou resist the ordinance of God and so Incur the displeasure of God unto damnation; Romans 13: 2.

By order of the General Court

Nathaniel Morton[1]

Notes
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[1] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England (Boston, MA: William White, 1861), 72, 73. We have modernized the text.

photo credits:

"Architect of the Capitol"

Prayer as a Means of Dominion (Charles Spurgeon)

"If I may covet earnestly one thing above every other, it is that I may be able to ask what I will of the Lord and have it. The prevailer in prayer is the man to preach successfully, for he may well prevail with man for God when he has already prevailed with God for men. This is the man to face the difficulties of business life, for what can baffle him when he can take everything to God in prayer? One such believer as this in a church is worth ten thousand of us common people. These are the men in whom is fulfilled God’s purpose concerning man, whom He made to have dominion over all the works of His hands.

"The stamp of sovereignty is on the brows of these men, who shape the history of nations and guide the current of events through their power on high. We see Jesus with all things put under Him by the divine purpose, and as we rise into that image, we also are clothed with dominion and are made kings and priests unto God. Behold Elijah, with the keys of the rain swinging at his side. He shuts or opens the windows of heaven! There are such men still alive. Aspire to be such men and women that to you the text may be fulfilled: 'Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.'"

-- Charles Spurgeon, The Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life, ed. Robert Hall (Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 1993), 35, 36.

Charlemagne on Following Josiah's Example in Restoring Biblical Worship

"[W]e read in the Books of the Kings how the holy Josiah, going about the kingdom given to him by God, correcting and admonishing, strove to recall the people to the worship of the true God; not that I can make myself his equal in holiness, but that we must ever follow the example of the holy men everywhere ..." 

-- Charlemagne

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Cited in Charles Luke Wells, The Age of Charlemagne (Charles the Great), ed., John Fulton (New York: The Christian Literature Co., 1898), 228, 229.

Vladimir Putin on Russia's Ban of Gay Propaganda and Gay Adoptions

Vladimir Putin on Russia's law prohibiting gay propaganda:

“Some countries ... think that there is no need to protect children from this. We do. We are not going to interfere. But we are going to provide such protection the way that State Duma lawmakers have decided.”[1]  

Vladimir Putin on whether gays from other countries should be able to adopt Russian children:

"We need to react to what is going on around us. We respect our partners but ask (that they) respect the cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral norms of Russia."[2] 

In addition, Elena Mizulina, one of the authors of Russia's bill to prevent gays from other countries from adopting Russian children, said:

“The West will first run this social experiment on children at home, and Russia won’t be involved.”[3] 

Notes
__________________

[1] Putin at a 6/13 Finland press conference

[2] Putin, quoted by Russian news agencies

[3] Cited in Russia Beyond the Headlines, "State Duma moves to ban adoption by homosexuals abroad," retrieved 7/15/2013.

photo credit: 

Vladimir Putin

© kremlin.ru / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Quotable Theonomy: John Calvin writes to Renée de France about Criminalizing the Mass

"For not only among all the Churches which have received the Evangel, but in the judgment of private individuals, this article is quite agreed on, that the abomination of the mass must not continue. And to that effect Capito, who is one of those who set themselves to moderate the zeal of others in these matters, has written a book of late, which he has dedicated to the King of England, wherein he teaches that it is the duty of Christian princes to abolish in their country such execrable idolatry, if they wish to do their duty as might be expected of them. There is, in short, in our day, no man of any renown who is not quite agreed on that point."





--John Calvin, in a letter to Renée de France, Duchess of Ferrara and supporter of the Protestant Reformation 
























Cited in Jules Bonnet, Letters of John Calvin (Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1858), 304.

Quotable Theonomy: Suppressing Heresy differs from Forcing One to Receive the Gospel (George Gillespie)

"[A]s the reformation and preservation of religion differs much from the propagation of religion: so the coercive power put forth in the suppressing of heresy and schism is a thing of another nature than the compelling of infidels by the sword to receive the gospel. Let the Pope and the Spaniard, and Mohammed propagate religion by the sword; that is not it I plead for. None of the Gentiles was of old compelled to be circumcised, but being circumcised he might be compelled to keep the Law of Moses. Also if strangers of the Gentiles were sojourning or trading in the land of Israel, they might be compelled to abstain from the public and scandalous breaking of the moral law (Neh. 13:16, 21; Ex. 20:10), which things did belong to the preservation, not to the propagation of religion."

-- George Gillespie 

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George Gillespie, Wholesome Severity Reconciled With Christian Liberty (Naphtali Press, 1997)

Quotable Theonomy: On Criminalizing the Promotion of Heresy (William Farel)

"If the Pope condemns the pious for heresy, and furious judges unjustly execute on the innocent the penalty due to heretics, what madness is it thence to infer that heretics ought not to be destroyed for the purpose of aiding the pious! As for myself, since I read that Paul said that he did not refuse death if he had done anything to deserve it, I openly offered myself frequently prepared to undergo sentence of death, if I had taught anything contrary to the doctrine of piety. 

"And I added, that I was most worthy of any punishment imaginable, if I seduced any one from the faith and doctrine of Christ. Assuredly I cannot have a different view with regard to others from that which I
entertain respecting myself." 

-- William Farel, in a letter to John Calvin

Cited in Henry M. Baird, History of the Rise of the Huguenots of France: Volume 1 (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1896), 211.

Note: we do not necessarily endorse all of the theology of those quoted in the Quotable Theonomy series

Quotable Theonomy: Biblical Rulers Destroy High Places (Jeanne d'Albret)

"As to the first point upon which you comment—the reformation in religion which I have commenced at Pau, and at Lescar—I am very earnestly resolved, by the grace of God, to continue such reformation throughout my sovereignty of Béarn. I have learned to do so from my Bible, (which I read more than the works of your doctors,) in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, from whence I take king Joash for my pattern, in order that I may not be reproached, as were some of the kings of Israel, that, professing myself a servant of God, I yet destroyed not the high places consecrated to idols."

--Jeanne d’Albret, Queen of Navarre, in a letter rebuking the Cardinal D'Armagnac

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[1] Cited in Martha Walker Freer, The Life of Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre: Volume One (London: Hurst and Blackett, 1855), 353.

Note: we do not necessarily endorse all of the theology of those quoted in the Quotable Theonomy series

Quotable Theonomy: Rulers ought to be Christians (Ulrich Zwingli)

"Ex. xviii. 21: Provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, who hate covetousness. Therefore a judge ought above all men to be rightly affected to all and unwavering, giving no decision in partiality or hatred or fear or violence. But who can better do this than a most devout person? ...

"It actually occurs that a father has to judge his son, as occurred to Saul, Brutus, Manlius and others. In such cases what are we to think a judge has most need of? Firmness, surely. But the flesh does not supply that, but either desire for glory or contention, and then it is not firmness, but persistency ... or from love of righteousness, which can be from God alone.  A judge of this sort is more spiritual than those gentle little fellows who preach to us a kind of womanish gentleness, especially since there is so much evil among mortals. ...

"[A] judge or magistrate ought particularly to be a Christian and a spiritually-minded man. So God himself deigned to call them by his own name Elohim, because they should be most like God as high priests of righteousness, equity and firmness."

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[1] Cited in Ulrich Zwingli, Selected works of Huldreich Zwingli, (1484-1531): the Reformer of German Switzerland., ed., Samuel Macauley Jackson (Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania, 1901), 204.

Note: we do not necessarily endorse all of the theology of those quoted in the Quotable Theonomy series

   

Quotable Theonomy: Rulers must Govern by the Bible (Edward VI)

During his coronation, the young King Edward VI, upon being brought three swords representing his three kingdoms, said that one sword was missing: the Bible.[1] He added,

"That book is the sword of the Spirit, and to be preferred before these swords. That ought in all right to govern us, who use them for the people's safety by God's appointment. Without that sword we are nothing, we can do nothing, we have no power. From that we are what we are this day. From that we receive whatsoever it is that we at present do assume. 

"He that rules without it, is not to be called God's minister, or a king. Under that we ought to live, to fight, to govern the people, and to perform all our affairs."[2]

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[1] Unknown author, Writings of Edward the Sixth, William Hugh, Queen Catherine Parr, Anne Askew, Lady Jane Grey, Hamilton, and Balnaves: Volume 3: of British reformers (London: Religious Tract Society, 1831), 6.
[2] Cited in Ibid.

Note: we do not necessarily endorse all of the theology of those quoted in the Quotable Theonomy series

    

Quotable Theonomy: The Applicability of Matthew 5:17-19 to Civil Law (Alfred the Great)

"These are judgments which Almighty God Himself spoke to Moses and commanded him to keep. Now, since the Lord's only begotten Son our God and healing Christ has come to Middle Earth — He said that He did not come to break nor to forbid these commandments but to approve them well, and to teach them with all mildheartedness and lowlymindedness." 

--King Alfred the Great on Matthew 5:17-19 providing the basis for including Old Testament civil law in his theonomic civil code, The Code of Alfred.

______________________________

Cited from Francis Nigel Lee, King Alfred the Great and our Common Law (Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 2000), 7.

Note: we do not necessarily endorse all of the theology of those quoted in the Quotable Theonomy series.

    

Quotable Theonomy: Christian Unity, Compulsion, and the Sword of the State (Oliver Cromwell)

"Presbyterians, Independents, all have here the same spirit of faith and prayer: the same presence and answer; they agree here, have no names of difference: pity it is it should be otherwise anywhere! All that believe have the real unity, which is most glorious; because inward, and spiritual, in the Body [which is the true Church], and to the Head [which is Jesus Christ]. 

"For being united in forms, commonly called Uniformity, every Christian will, for peace-sake, study and do, as far as conscience will permit. And for brethren, in things of the mind we look for no compulsion, but that of light and reason. In other things, God hath put the sword in the Parliament's hands - for the terror of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well. 

"If any plead exemption from that, - he knows not the Gospel: if any would wring that out of your hands, or steal it from you, under what pretence soever, I hope they shall do it without effect. That God may maintain it in your hands, and direct you in the use thereof, is the prayer of 

'Your humble servant,

"Oliver Cromwell."'"

--Oliver Cromwell, in a letter to William Lenthall, Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament

Cited in Merle D’Aubigne, The Protector: A Vindication (New York: Robert Carter, 1847), 57.

    

Quotable Theonomy: The Atheism of Public Schools (Gordon H. Clark)

"Obviously the [public] schools are not Christian. Just as obviously they are not neutral. The Scriptures say that the fear of the Lord is the chief part of knowledge; but the schools, by omitting all reference to God, give the pupils the notion that knowledge can be had apart from God. They teach in effect that God has no control of history, that there is no plan of events that God is working out, that God does not foreordain whatsoever comes to pass. Aside from definite anti-Christian instruction ..., the public schools are not, never were, can never be, neutral. 

"Neutrality is impossible. Let one ask what neutrality can possibly mean when God is involved. How does God judge the school system, which says to him, “O God, we neither deny nor assert thy existence; and O God, we neither obey nor disobey thy commandments; we are strictly neutral.” Let no one fail to see the point: The school system that ignores God teaches its pupils to ignore God; and this is not neutrality. It is the worst form of antagonism, for it judges God to be unimportant and irrelevant in human affairs. This is atheism."

Gordon H. Clark, "A Christian Philosophy of Education," The Trinity Review, ed. John W. Robbins (Unicoi, TN: May, June 1988): 5. 

    

Quotable Theonomy: The Urgent need for Separation of Atheism and State (Mike Warren)

"Some people may still say, 'I still feel hesitant to endorse enforcement of God’s law by the State because when this was done in the past, it caused a lot of blood to be spilled over religious differences.'  If you want to compare Christian States with Atheists States, then the atheist position loses hundreds of times over.  In one century, the Twentieth Century, officially atheist states slaughtered over 100 million innocent people!  Stalin killed 10 million in his land reforms in the Ukraine.  Mao killed 50 million in his land reforms in China.  Pol Pot killed millions in the Cambodian killing fields.  Much of this was warfare directed against the civilian populace. ... 

"Atheists are still outraged that several hundred years ago some Puritans in Salem unjustly killed about 20 people before the town repented of its actions.  That’s barely worth noticing compared to the millions killed by Stalin, all with support of American Intelligentsia.  Judging by the number of lives unjustly snuffed out, separation of atheism and State is much more urgent than separation of Church and State."

-- Mike Warren, Lord of Soul and State: The Duty of Christians to Mix Politics and Religion (Christian Civilization, June 16, 2010). Retrieved August 8, 2012.

     

Quotable Theonomy: Distinctively Christian Candidates (Joe Morecraft)

"I don’t expect many of our people to get elected—if they’re distinctively Christian in character and policy.

"But I don’t despise the days of small beginnings. We’ve got to be pioneers, is the point. We’ve got to cut the trails, politically, show them how to do it, how not to do it, for future generations to build on what we’ve done.

"I ran for Congress in 1986 as an overt Christian, obviously, self-consciously aware that I was a pioneer, praying that people would build on that. If we have political parties now that are overtly Christian it is a great training program for future days. …

"And I think there’s another purpose for a political party, too, rather than running its own candidates, sort of like, you remember the old, [William] Buckley Conservative Party in New York, years ago? It was a restraint, for a while, on other political parties, and I think that if a Christian political party became strong enough—even though it couldn’t run a candidate, or elect a candidate in a certain area, it can began by being a clear restraint on candidates, who maybe wouldn’t run on their platform."

Joe Morecraft III, Exclusive Interview: Rev. Joe Morecraft III On The Usefulness (Or Not) Of Political Parties To Rebuild Our Christian Country, John Lofton, ed. (The American View, July 12, 2006).  Retrieved August 3, 2012.

    

Quotable Theonomy: Tyrants and Judgement (William Tyndale)

"There is another care, that springeth out of the love of God (for every love hath her care), and is a care to keep God's commandments. This care must every man have. For a man liveth not by bread only, but much more by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

"The keeping of God's commandment is the life of a man, as well in this world as in the world to come. As, 'Child, obey father and mother; that thou mayest long live on the earth.'

"And by father and mother is understood all rulers; which if thou obey, thy blessing shall be long life; and contrary, if thou disobey, short life, and shalt either perish by the sword, or by some other plague, and that shortly. And even so shall the ruler, if he rule not as God hath commanded. 'Oppress thou a widow and fatherless children (saith God), and they shall cry to me, and I will hear their voice; and then will my wrath wax hot; so I will smite you with sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.'

"Some will say, 'I see none more prosper, or longer continue, than those that be most cruel tyrants.' What then?  Yet say I that God abideth ever true: for where he setteth up a tyrant, and continueth him in prosperity, it is to be a scourge to wicked subjects, that have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God; and unto them his good promises pertain not, save his curses only. But if the subjects would turn and repent, and follow the ways of God, he would shortly deliver them. Howbeit yet, where the superior corrupteth the inferior, which else is disposed enough to goodness, God will not let them long continue."

William Tyndale, Expositions and Notes on Sundry Portions of the Holy Scriptures: Together with The Practice of Prelates, Volume 43, ed., Henry Walter (Cambridge: The University Press, 1849), 111, 112.