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Josh,
Very briefly, if possible, how do we define R2K?
I have read VanDrunen's Living in God's Two Kingdoms. Is this work considered R2K?
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Cesar, you are correct that Kuyper was involved with the amendment to Belgic 36. But from the following section that you quoted as being REMOVED in its ENTIRETY, it actually was only the part that I have placed in bold below that was removed:
"And the government's task is not limited to caring for and watching over the public domain but extends also to upholding the sacred ministry, with a view to removing and destroying all idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist; to promoting the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and to furthering the preaching of the gospel everywhere; to the end that God may be honored and served by everyone, as he requires in his Word."
Questions and Formula for Ministers and other Office-bearers
ACT XII, 1846: ACT ANENT QUESTIONS AND FORMULA (AS AMENDED BY ACT II, 1874)
Whereas it has become necessary, in consequence of the late change in the outward condition of the Church, to amend the Questions and Formula to be used at the licensing of Probationers, and the ordination of Deacons, Elders, and Ministers respectively, the General Assembly, with consent of a majority of Presbyteries, enact and ordain, that the following shall be the questions so to be used: And, considering that the Formula, to this Act subjoined, embodies the substance of the answers to the said questions, the Assembly appoint the same to be subscribed by all Pro-bationers of the Church before receiving license to preach the gospel, and by all Office-bearers at the time of their admission: And the General Assembly, in passing this Act, think it right to de-clare, that, while the Church firmly maintains the same scriptural principles as to the duties of nations and their rulers in reference to true religion and the Church of Christ, for which she has hitherto contended, she disclaims intolerant or persecuting principles, and does not regard her Confession of Faith, or any portion thereof, when fairly interpreted, as favouring intolerance or persecution, or consider that her office-bearers, by subscribing it, profess any principles inconsis-tent with liberty of conscience and the right of private judgment.
The antichrists are already here and have been for donkey's years, Cesar. E.g. the antichrist of Liberal Theology set up in many denominations; the antichrist of Post Modern "Emergent" teaching in many denominations; the Antichrist of the Papacy set up in the Visible Church, particularly the Roman Catholic Church; the antichrists of the "Christian" cults.R2K won't bring the antichrist, but we may be too busy throwing stones ate each other to notice when he arrives.
An antichrist is a teaching or person which is an idol dressed-up to look like Christ - and Christianity - to the unwary, those that don't or won't test things by the Truth, and set up to deceive in the Visible Church broadly considered.
that in matters relating to the role of government in the new covenant age, there is freedom among believers to form their own opinions and even disagree.
And that is exactly why I am leaning away from it. Not necessarily 2k but R2K.Matthew,
The motivation, at least for me, is to protect the gospel;
... that in matters relating to the role of government in the new covenant age, there is freedom among believers to form their own opinions and even disagree. Obviously this means we reject theonomy ...
Obviously a true believer would not accept the Marxism of enforced atheism and persecution of Christians, but as simple economic theory Christians are allowed to have dumb or misguided opinions on economic theories, just like in matters of medicine and even liking the Yankees.
Yes, one has freedom to believe socialism is a better system than capitalism. Obviously a true believer would not accept the Marxism of enforced atheism and persecution of Christians, but as simple economic theory Christians are allowed to have dumb or misguided opinions on economic theories, just like in matters of medicine and even liking the Yankees.
Gordon H. Clark said the original WCF was too "Erastian" ...
I'm glad you put that in quotation marks (but did Clark?). The contention is odd and has to redefine things otherwise considering a Scottish Presbyterian establishmentarian wrote the definitive deathblow to Erastianism (Gillespie's Aaron's Rod Blossoming).
Gordon H. Clark said the original WCF was too "Erastian" ...
"Also, could you answer the question whether R2k "freedom" *excludes* holding opinions on the role of government based on theonomic principles."
No, it doesn't exclude it. We have not kicked out or persecuted theonomists in our churches for their faulty view of the Bible.
The motivation, at least for me, is to protect the gospel; that it not be identified with the politics or cultures of this present age, and to protect Christian liberty, that in matters relating to the role of government in the new covenant age, there is freedom among believers to form their own opinions and even disagree.
"So theonomists, economic Marxists, and R2k folk can freely advocate their positions under R2k's "liberty principle", even if R2k folk believe those others have a "faulty view" of the Bible. "
Unless your churches only allow theonomists as members, this is true of all sides of the debate.
"So if I may flesh out this R2k "liberty" a bit more, are professing Christians free to advocate Gay Marriage Laws or Pro-Abortion Laws-- even if the R2k fellow thinks those ideas arise from a "faulty view" of the Bible?"
It depends what you mean by freely advocate. We have members who still struggle with infant baptism; they are allowed to express their struggle or position. But if their goal is to cause division or contention by advocating their positions the session would step in. Same for these other areas.