Quote:
Originally posted by webmaster
Those who reject the divine institution of the Civil Magistrate wind up in some sort of totalitarian dictatorship. But the Christian should render unto Caesar the things that are Caesarīs. Christ knew that Caesar had an army, nor did he refuse to pay taxes to Rome. In Romans 13:4 the power of the sword is explicitly given to the Government to execute justice. All the Civil Magistrate has authority to protect the life, liberty, and possessions of their subjects.
The state has been given the sword (Romans 13:4) and exercises it for the citizens of the state in protecting life, liberty and possessions. An acceptance of the Bible confirms a limited government. This is an acceptable justification of government, but it does not guarantee a government will act biblically. Tyranny throughout history demonstrates this.
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Right, and I don't think Samuel Rutherford would disagree. The best modern book on this is Doug Kelly's The Emergence of Liberty in the Modern World: Calvin's Role in Five Countries.