“Nothing doth usually so bring men’s sinnes to mind and memory as judgments” (William Gouge, God’s Three Arrows, p. 6). Whenever there is a tragic event such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, disease outbreak, etc. discussions arise about God’s involvement. Some Christians have a hard time believing that God would allow something so cruel even… Read More Catastrophe, Judgment, and Christ’s Two Kingdoms
If you’ve ever spoken to a rabid atheist for more than a few minutes, you undoubtedly came across the argument that the Bible is evil because it forces raped women to marry their rapists. Unfortunately, largely due to a mistranslation of Deuteronomy 22:25-29, even many Christians think this law is repugnant. It is crucial for… Read More Bad Translations and The Punishment for Rape
Ten Agreements 1. They are both from God; both the Magistrate, and the Minister is authorized from God, both are the Ministers of God, and shall give account of their administrations to God. 2. Both are tied to observe the Law and Commandments of God: and both have certain directions from the Word of God… Read More Ten Agreements and Ten Differences Between Church and State
Recently, in the United States, all military positions have been opened up to women, including the most dangerous combat roles. Shortly thereafter people began to call for women to be forced to register with the Selective Services to be conscripted in case of a draft. The issue of women in the military and in combat has… Read More Women in the Military and in Combat
It is objected, that the power in question is very liable to be abused, has been abused in all ages; and that, if we give power to magistrates about religion, they will employ it for the support of a false religion as well as the true. This is an objection which has the greatest influence… Read More Objection: Magistrates Liable to Abuse the Enforcing of the First Table
But it is objected, that the Christian church did not enjoy the assistance of the civil power during the first three centuries. If this had been such a benefit, God would certainly have conferred it upon her. Besides, she flourished as long as she was without it, but became corrupt as soon as she received… Read More Objection: No Establishment of Religion Until the 4th Century
The following is a brief description of the light of nature excerpted from Jus Divinum Regiminis Ecclesiastici, or, the Divine Right of Church Government, pgs. 8-11, by the London Provincial Assembly of 1646. A thing may be said to be of divine right, or (which is the same for substance) of divine institution, divers ways. 1. By the… Read More The Light of Nature
Q. Do the precepts of the first table express the rights of God, which he demands shall be embodied in the civil constitutions of the nations, that their governments may be his ordinance? A. Yes. They contain “the things of God,” which all nations are bound nationally to “render” him (Matt. 22:21). Q. Can you… Read More An Overview of the Ten Commandments Enforced by the Civil Magistrate
With the rapid destruction of the institution of marriage in recent times many well-intentioned people have begun to question whether the civil government ought to have any say in the institution to begin with. The arguments usually boil down to the idea that marriage is an institution of the family, or perhaps of the church,… Read More The Role of the Civil Magistrate with Regard to Marriage
II. What one true excellence is there in the whole independent government in any one point, wherein it really differs from the presbyterial government? Take for instance a few points of difference. In the Independent Government. In the Presbyterial Government. No other visible Church of Christ is acknowledged, but only a single congregational meeting in… Read More Independency vs. Presbyterianism
Purely Presbyterian 