Areopagus
15th August 2005, 01:10
Why Can't Christians Agree With The Apostle Paul, And Jefferson On The Fundamental Purposes Of Government?
Christians, of all people, should know the difference between good and evil. They should know that the fundamental purpose of government, as described in Romans 13, is expounded upon in the Declaration of Independence, and Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. They should know the difference between politicians who use religious (2 Tim 3:1-5), and pro-life rhetoric to get elected, and those who really are pro-life, and pro-Constitution. It should go without saying, that voting should be based on the commands of the Creator who granted those inalienable rights, and revealed those self-evident truths.
ROMANS 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 2:14 & 15 refers to those who didn't have the law of Moses in written form, but did have some vestige of the moral law in their hearts. The law written on their hearts when combined with reason was sufficient to guide their actions, and their conscience judged their compliance. Those without the written revelation and those rejecting the written revelation know the vast difference between good and evil. One of the major objections atheists have against the existence of a good God is the presence of pervasive evil. How do they know what evil is without knowing what good is? Devoutly secular nations based upon the atheology of communism have laws derived from second half of the Jewish, and Christian Decalogue governing human relations. Covetousness prohibited by the Tenth Commandment can be punishable under criminal conspiracy laws, if the covetousness leads to actions that would constitute a crime when committed.
ROMANS 12:9
"….Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil….19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink…. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Christians have the "work of the law written in their hearts," and accept the written record of Moses. Christians should know the difference between good and evil. God is far more capable than any human of repaying evil, and has many means of doing so. He takes the burden of personal vengeance from Christians, and in some cases places that burden on government, as the 13th chapter of Romans reveals. John Locke in his Second Treatise Of Government recognized that a community of people were far better able to protect their "life, liberty and property" by consenting to government formed for those purposes rather than living in a state of anarchy.
ROMANS 13:1 "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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves ****ation. 3 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: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Romans 13:1 includes the governing officials themselves when it states "every soul." Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament [1] contains some notes that help clarify this verse. "Every soul….As in…. (every man). To the higher powers…. Abstract for concrete. See Mark 2:10…. Huperecw is an old verb to have or hold over, to be above or supreme, as in 1 Peter 2:13."
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:"
The "rulers" are "ordained" "ministers of God" to be a "terror to evil" by "executing wrath upon those that do evil." In verses 3, and 4 of Romans 13 the terms ‘good,’ and ‘evil’ are used three times. Verse 9 describes "evil" by repeating the second half of the Decalogue found in Exodus 20:13-17, and Deuteronomy 5:17-21. The latter part of verse 9, and verse 10 describes "good." Is murder good, or evil? Genesis 9:6 "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." If murder is evil, then mass murder isn’t good. Proverbs 6:16-17 "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him...hands that shed innocent blood…." Why do Christians vote for politicians who claim that America isn’t ready to discard the law-breaking opinion of Roe[2], when thirty states are ready to?[3] Are these pro-life states not part of America? Why do Christians praise, and vote for politicians who claim that Roe v Wade is "settled law;" when there is nothing lawful, or Biblical about that unconstitutional opinion?[4] The words of Amos need to be repeatedly repeated in our Christianized, but lawless culture: Amos 5:14,15 "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD,the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate…."
Some federal judges, and politicians act as though they are above the law once they take office; but Paul is not arguing for the divine right kings, or the divine right of a federal judicial oligarchy. The "higher power" in the United States is the Constitution. Article 6, Paragraph 2 states,"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof…shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby…." The majority opinion of a federal court isn’t listed here, or anywhere else in the Constitution, as being equivalent with, or superior to the written Constitution. Congress is the law making branch, not the federal courts! In paragraph 3 we find, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution…." Additionally, the President is held to an even higher standard in Article 2, Section 1: "…he shall take the following oath or affirmation:-- ""…I…will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."" Section 3 states that the President "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Nowhere does the Constitution state that he shall take care that "federal court orders" be faithfully executed.
No one is bound to support the unconstitutional majority opinions emanating from federal courts! Their decisions are confined to the parties involved according to the specifics of the particular case. Law by definition is a rule binding on people generally, not just upon individuals who happen to be parties to a case. Congress and state legislatures are the law making branches, not the federal courts. Federal courts have no authority to break laws made "in Pursuance" of the Constitution.
Not only did God ordain the written Constitution, but so did the people as stated in the Preamble: "We the people of the United States, in order to…establish justice…secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Amendment V expounds upon our posterity. "No person shall be...deprived of life...without due process of law...." The Foundation for the National Archives[5] states that, "The Virginia Declaration of Rights strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. It later provided the foundation for the Bill of Rights." The Virginia Declaration of Rights[6] states, " That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life…."
REMAINDER OF ARTICLE AVAILABLE @http://lawsforlife.blogspot.com/
Christians, of all people, should know the difference between good and evil. They should know that the fundamental purpose of government, as described in Romans 13, is expounded upon in the Declaration of Independence, and Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. They should know the difference between politicians who use religious (2 Tim 3:1-5), and pro-life rhetoric to get elected, and those who really are pro-life, and pro-Constitution. It should go without saying, that voting should be based on the commands of the Creator who granted those inalienable rights, and revealed those self-evident truths.
ROMANS 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 2:14 & 15 refers to those who didn't have the law of Moses in written form, but did have some vestige of the moral law in their hearts. The law written on their hearts when combined with reason was sufficient to guide their actions, and their conscience judged their compliance. Those without the written revelation and those rejecting the written revelation know the vast difference between good and evil. One of the major objections atheists have against the existence of a good God is the presence of pervasive evil. How do they know what evil is without knowing what good is? Devoutly secular nations based upon the atheology of communism have laws derived from second half of the Jewish, and Christian Decalogue governing human relations. Covetousness prohibited by the Tenth Commandment can be punishable under criminal conspiracy laws, if the covetousness leads to actions that would constitute a crime when committed.
ROMANS 12:9
"….Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil….19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink…. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Christians have the "work of the law written in their hearts," and accept the written record of Moses. Christians should know the difference between good and evil. God is far more capable than any human of repaying evil, and has many means of doing so. He takes the burden of personal vengeance from Christians, and in some cases places that burden on government, as the 13th chapter of Romans reveals. John Locke in his Second Treatise Of Government recognized that a community of people were far better able to protect their "life, liberty and property" by consenting to government formed for those purposes rather than living in a state of anarchy.
ROMANS 13:1 "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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves ****ation. 3 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: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Romans 13:1 includes the governing officials themselves when it states "every soul." Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament [1] contains some notes that help clarify this verse. "Every soul….As in…. (every man). To the higher powers…. Abstract for concrete. See Mark 2:10…. Huperecw is an old verb to have or hold over, to be above or supreme, as in 1 Peter 2:13."
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:"
The "rulers" are "ordained" "ministers of God" to be a "terror to evil" by "executing wrath upon those that do evil." In verses 3, and 4 of Romans 13 the terms ‘good,’ and ‘evil’ are used three times. Verse 9 describes "evil" by repeating the second half of the Decalogue found in Exodus 20:13-17, and Deuteronomy 5:17-21. The latter part of verse 9, and verse 10 describes "good." Is murder good, or evil? Genesis 9:6 "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." If murder is evil, then mass murder isn’t good. Proverbs 6:16-17 "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him...hands that shed innocent blood…." Why do Christians vote for politicians who claim that America isn’t ready to discard the law-breaking opinion of Roe[2], when thirty states are ready to?[3] Are these pro-life states not part of America? Why do Christians praise, and vote for politicians who claim that Roe v Wade is "settled law;" when there is nothing lawful, or Biblical about that unconstitutional opinion?[4] The words of Amos need to be repeatedly repeated in our Christianized, but lawless culture: Amos 5:14,15 "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD,the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate…."
Some federal judges, and politicians act as though they are above the law once they take office; but Paul is not arguing for the divine right kings, or the divine right of a federal judicial oligarchy. The "higher power" in the United States is the Constitution. Article 6, Paragraph 2 states,"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof…shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby…." The majority opinion of a federal court isn’t listed here, or anywhere else in the Constitution, as being equivalent with, or superior to the written Constitution. Congress is the law making branch, not the federal courts! In paragraph 3 we find, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution…." Additionally, the President is held to an even higher standard in Article 2, Section 1: "…he shall take the following oath or affirmation:-- ""…I…will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."" Section 3 states that the President "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Nowhere does the Constitution state that he shall take care that "federal court orders" be faithfully executed.
No one is bound to support the unconstitutional majority opinions emanating from federal courts! Their decisions are confined to the parties involved according to the specifics of the particular case. Law by definition is a rule binding on people generally, not just upon individuals who happen to be parties to a case. Congress and state legislatures are the law making branches, not the federal courts. Federal courts have no authority to break laws made "in Pursuance" of the Constitution.
Not only did God ordain the written Constitution, but so did the people as stated in the Preamble: "We the people of the United States, in order to…establish justice…secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Amendment V expounds upon our posterity. "No person shall be...deprived of life...without due process of law...." The Foundation for the National Archives[5] states that, "The Virginia Declaration of Rights strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. It later provided the foundation for the Bill of Rights." The Virginia Declaration of Rights[6] states, " That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life…."
REMAINDER OF ARTICLE AVAILABLE @http://lawsforlife.blogspot.com/