Vol 65 Issue 05

No one can doubt the importance of sound, clear understanding of civil government, of the authority that civil government has over him, and of the duty he has toward civil government. Not only does Scripture make the Christian’s relationship to the state part of his, or her, thankful, holy life (Rom. 13:1-7; I Pet. 2:11-17) but also the broad sphere of the state’s power assures that each of us comes into direct contact with civil government, or is affected by civil government, daily. The teenager who wants to drive must receive a license from the state, and thereafter submit to the...

Prof. Hanko is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Article 36 of our Belgic Confession has been a source of considerable controversy in the church, especially in the last century or so. This article deals with the subject of magistrates and discusses, among other things, the “office” of magistrates which is defined as being, not only to have regard unto, and watch for the welfare of the civil state; but also that they protect the sacred ministry; and thus may remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship; that the kingdom of anti-Christ may be thus...

Mr. Huisken, a member of Grandville Protestant Reformed Church, is registrar at Hope College, in Holland, Michigan. Calvin’s main treatise on civil government is found in Book IV, Chapter 20 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Since Chapter 20 constitutes the final chapter in his Institutes, it is considered by many to be strategically placed—a culmination of his teaching on what it means to be Christian in this world, the consequence of his theology. Whether this is indeed true we will leave for the Calvin scholars to argue, but what we do know is that Calvin gives prominence in his Institutes to this...

Mr. Lanting, a member of South Holland Protestant Reformed Church, is a practicing attorney. Truth is the majority vote of the nation that can lick all the others.  Oliver Wendell Holmes  There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.  Allan Bloom  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work . . . . The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan . . . with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. The church of Jesus Christ, as she honors her Head as the Lord of lords and King of kings, is very conscious of the fact that she lives and witnesses in the midst of a world which contains governments of many different kinds and at many levels. Her attitude towards the magistracy in her official labors, as well as in the life of her members, is very definitely set forth in Holy Scripture; it is set forth as binding and for all time. Since this is part...

Rev. Joostens is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In keeping with the topic of this special issue, it falls to me to say a few words concerning the practical aspect of the political process as it affects each of us. When the issues have been debated at length, we have the opportunity to step behind the curtain and cast our vote. What is the calling and responsibility of the child of God here? Should we consider this a Christian duty? For whom must we cast our ballot? Or, would it be better for the child...

Rev. Slopsema is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. The Scriptures teach that every citizen has various obligations to the civil government under which he finds himself. Our Reformed fathers understood these duties and set them forth very beautifully in the confessions of the church. The duties of the citizens to the state are summarized, for example, in the Belgic Confession, Article 36. Moreover it is the bounden duty of every one, of what state, quality, or condition soever he may be, to subject himself to the magistrates; to pay tribute, to show due honor and respect...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. The citizen has a duty toward the state. The Scriptures are clear that we have this duty and what the nature of this duty is. Equally clear is the teaching of Scripture that the state (Caesar, if you will) has a duty toward the citizenry. The church has a calling here. As much as the church must preach the will of God with respect to the obedience owed the state by the citizens, the church must make plain the will of God for government. What tasks does God...

•We are devoting this special issue of The Standard Bearer to the testimony of the Reformed Faith concerning civil government. In keeping with a tradition that goes back to John Calvin’s prefatory address of his Institutes to King Francis I of France and to John Knox’s fearless witness to the kings, and especially the queens, of his day, we are sending a copy of this issue to the President of the United States, the President-elect of the United States, the Supreme Court Justices of the United States, the United States Senators, and the Prime Minister of Canada. Extra copies have been printed and are...

Prof. Decker is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that, be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee...