Thesis 60: Christ’s Binding of Satan

By His Power over demons, Jesus demonstrated that the Kingdom was not “postponed” but rather “at hand.”[1] By His Power over demons, Jesus indicated that Satan was being bound.[2] Through the death (execution) of Christ, Satan was judged,[3] and in His Resurrection and Ascension, Christ was enthroned, and the power which Satan and his host formerly held over the nations has been transferred to Christ.[4] Christ spoiled the powers, making possible the fulfillment of the Great Commission.[5]

Notes
1. Matthew 12:28
2. Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; 11:20-22; Mark 1:24; Revelation 12:10-12; 20:1-4
3. John 12:31-33; 14:30; 16:11
4. #22; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 20:1-4; Luke 10:18; 11:17-22; Colossians 2:15; Psalm 68:18 + Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; 4:4; Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20
5. Colossians 2:15; cf. Matthew 28:18-20

References
Here's a preterist, amillennialist, and a postmillennialist:
Does "SATAN" Exist Today? Preterist Archive
JOLLYBLOGGER: Is Satan Bound?
The Person, Work, and Present Status of Satan Greg Bahnsen

We are contemplating adding a new thesis in Part I (following Part H) on Revelation 20.


35 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 59: Jewish Opposition To The Kingdom

In the Age of the Old Covenant, Jews preferred to live in bondage to a distorted “obedience” to the “Pedagogical Law” (#31), and persecuted the prophets who faithfully explicated the requirements of God’s Word.[1] As the New Covenant Age dawned, the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ[2] was opposed by the Israelites with even greater ferver.[3] This opposition to the Messiah and persecution/seduction of His followers grew especially intense as the final destruction of the Old Age grew closer.[4] The generation of Jews which murdered Christ was the most unGodly generation of people in human history.[5]

Notes
1. Acts 7:51-52; 1 Kings 19:10; 2 Chronicles 24:19; 36:15-16; Jeremiah 2:30; Nehemiah 9:26,30; Malachi 3:7
2. Matthew 4:23
3. Matthew 5:12; 23:34-39; 21:(33-)43; 1 Thessalonians 2:15
4. prophesied: Matthew 24:24; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Timothy 3:1; manifested: 2 Timothy 3:6-13; 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1; 2 John 7
5. Matthew 3:7; 11:16; 12:34,39-42,45; 12:45; 16:4; 17:17; 23:33 et passim; 23:36 - 24:34; Mark 8:12; 8:38 - 9:1; 9:19; 13:30; 7:31; 9:41; 11:29-32,50-51; 17:25; 21:32; Acts 2:40; Philippians 2:15.

References
"Spirit" vs. Law See the verses at note 39. The Old Testament (Jewish "Tanakh") is arguably the most anti-semitic book in history. It portrays Israel as having been given extraordinary advantages and privileges with God, only to continually rebel against Him.
"This Generation"

36 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 58: The Civil Authority of The Pastor: Christ The Shepherd

The “shepherd” or “pastor” is a “civil” office,[1] again showing the mythical nature of our modern conception of “church-state separation”[2] and the irrelevance of most churches. The Kingdom was established by the Christ born in Bethlehem; “He shall shepherd His people.”[3]

Notes
1. Ezekiel 34; Jeremiah 23; Isaiah 44:28; Psalm 78:71-72
2. Ezekiel 37:24-28; Revelation 19:15-16.
3. Matthew 2:4-6; #55: The Throne of David.

References
Kittel, vol VI, pp. 486ff., notes that in the ancient orient, "shepherd" is a "common term for political and military leaders," used by kings to describe themselves as "one divinely chosen to bring salvation." The text at note 69 refers to "an ancient motif of world renewal, namely, that of gathering the dispersed flock." Ancient kings gathered by military conquest. Christ shepherds by regeneration.

Every Man a Lawyer
How lawyers (and other "public servants") should carry out pastoral functions. A clear threat to ecclesiastical "pastors." (Not all essays have been linked yet.)

How the Church Should Replace Empires

Revelation 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

Self-Government in Action: Christians -- The Body of Christ -- at first a shadow government, then progressively illuminating the world and leaving institutionalized violence ("the State") in the dark.


37 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 57: Kingship, Citizenship, and The Gospel

The Gospel of the Kingdom[1] is the “good news” of the advent of the Messiah (“Anointed King”[2]) foretold by the Old Testament Prophets; the Son of God has come and we will be mercifully blessed by this King if we repent and submit to Him.[3] He promises to dwell with the one who obeys His Word[4] and yet this very power to obey is itself a gift from the King.[5]

Notes
1. Mark 1:14-15
2. John 4:25-26
3. Matthew 5:1-12; Deuteronomy 28:1-14
4. John 14:21,23; Acts 5:32
5. John 1:12; Philippians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Romans 8:3-4; Ezekiel 36:27


Observations
Jesus preached "the Gospel of the Kingdom."
Jesus pronounced blessings for obedience to the true Law (as He laid it down, purged of pharisaical corruption).
Jesus promised reconciliation/fellowship.

Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us.

The Good News of the Kingdom is in conflict with the bad news of all humanistic kingdoms:

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.


38 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 56: Statism At The Time Of Christ

Greco-Roman religion was worship and service to the State (polis), its legal interests and customs,[1] the wealth it secured,[2] and the demons behind it.[3] Rulers were not just in a different economic class from the masses; they were considered to be in a different class of being, a pseudo-ontological participation with the “principalities and powers” in a continuum of evolutionary progress in the “Chain of Being.” The Early Church thus spoke of politicians (humans) and powers (demons) as a unity.[4] The civil officials which killed infants to get at Christ and persecuted Christ's Body (the Apostolic Church) were dominated by demonic powers,[5] but the powers were ordered by God.[6]
Roman Law has served as the cradle of the Church.[7]

Notes
1. Acts 16:21; 17:7
2. Acts 19:23-28
3. Acts 17:18,22; cf. 8:9-11; 14:11-16
4. Romans 13:1-4; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 1:21
5. 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:18 + Acts 17:8,15
6. Romans 13:1
7. Isaiah 44:27-28; 60:16; Daniel 2:34-35,40-44; Galatians 4:4; #94.

References
Daniel predicted that the Messiah would come during the Roman Empire, and Paul explained that this was the perfect time (note 7). Many apologists have noted that Koine Greek served as a universal language, and the Roman roads facilitated the spread of the Gospel. But more than this is involved. The Greco-Roman world marked a kind of "epistemological self-consciousness" in terms of the "principalities and powers" of the ancient world. The false religions of the Old Testament era were destroyed by Christ at His coming.

The Demonic Origin of the State
"Principalities and Powers" -- pt. 1
"Principalities and Powers" - pt 2
Unlucky 13 -- Romans 13, Revelation 13 and Isaiah 13
A Roman's-Eye View of Romans 13
Lakes of Fire in "Smoke-Filled Rooms"


39 Theses til Election Day

G. PATRIARCHY AND THE MESSIAH

In our chronological tour through the Bible, we come now to the coming of the Messiah.

The Advent of Jesus the Christ (Christ means "anointed King" -- an office, not a surname) was resisted by both church and State. Both the Roman civil rulers and the Jewish religious leaders knew their power was threatened by a righteous Servant-King. The powers plotted against Him from womb to tomb.

Empires and false religions have always been at war with Patriarchy and the Seed of Abraham, which is the Messiah.

Thesis 55: The Throne of David

I am currently revising completely this thesis. Your contributions would be appreciated. Write me at Kevin4VFTatVFTonline.org [189] [190] [191] [192]

Notes
189. [existence]
190. [conditional]
191. [other holders]
192. [Christ] cf. #63

References
The Sure Mercies of David
Thesis 63: Christ’s Ascension to the Throne of David


40 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 54: War, Capital Punishment, and “The Sword”

“Sword”[1] does not refer to individual penal sanctions (e.g., “capital punishment”). The shedding of a criminal’s blood[2] performed the functions of all other ritual acts of bloodshed, prefiguring the atonement for sin secured by Christ’s blood in His execution.[3] “The Sword” refers to national “capital punishment” (i.e., a shedding of blood[4]), which is the sacrifice of a sinful people who will not accept the Lord’s sacrifice and righteousness by faith. The sword of vengeance, which belongs to God[5], is the warfare whereby God slaughters a disobedient people in a fiery sacrifice,[6] relegating these idolatrous self-sacrifices and their dreams of Empire to the “dung-heaps” of history.[7]

Notes
1. cf. Romans 13:4
2. Genesis 9:4-6
3. Numbers 35:31,33; Deuteronomy 21:1,9
4. Ezekiel 35:5-6
5. Romans 12:17-21; #81:
6. Deuteronomy 32:43 [NIV]; Judges 20:40; Isaiah 34:5-8; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 39:17-20; Zephaniah 1:7-8; Matthew 23:35 + Revelation 19:3
7. Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 16:27; Zephaniah 1:17-18

References
http://www.godandthedeathpenalty.com/
God Sends Evil
Is War Ever "Just?"

This thesis is a linchpin.
If true, it destroys both war and capital punishment as legitimate functions of "the State," and effectively destroys the necessity or even legitimacy of "the State."
If false, the overall thrust of these 95 Theses is still valid, namely, that all legitimate social functions (which would include vengeance, war, and capital punishment if this thesis is false) can be carried out by the Family (patriarchy) rather than the State (polis).


41 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 53: Moloch-Worship and the Nature of Idols

Idols are demons (or pin-ups, icons, knick-knacks and/or medallions honoring great heroes of the State, perhaps believed now [after their death] to be demons, climbing the Great Cosmic Ladder of Being, and inspiring some current ruler/hero[1]). Moloch is the Secular State; Moloch worship is the patriotic sacrifice of infants to nationalistic advancement, roughly parallel to the “Amerikanization” of children into worker-drones of the State through State schooling/socialization,[2] but more strikingly seen in abortions, the slaughter of infant humans in the name of national gods such as “the American dream.”[3]

Notes
1. 2 Chronicles 11:15; Leviticus 17:7; Jeremiah 7:18; 13:18; Acts 7:43
2. cp. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; #39
3. Leviticus 20:1-5; cp. 1 John 3:16; Philippians 2:4-8; John 15:13

References
Otto Scott, "The Artist as Propagandist," Journal of Christian Reconstruction, vol 10, No. 1, 1983.
R.J. Rushdoony, "Humanism's Prophet: The Artist," Journal of Christian Reconstruction, vol 2, No. 1, 1975.


42 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 52: Judgment of the State in Heaven and Earth

When States are overthrown and “archists” are put down, their angelic guardians are also judged, and the “stars,” “sun” and “moon” are said to cease “shining” with respect to that empire.[1]

Notes
1. Isaiah 24:23; 13:10; 34:4; 60:19-20; Jeremiah 4:28; Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Ezekiel 30:18; 32:7,8; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 17-19; Revelation 21:22-25; 22:5; #88.

References
David Chilton, "The Sun, Moon, and Stars," in Paradise Restored.
James B. Jordan, " Sun, Moon, and Stars," chap. 5 in Through New Eyes.
On stars and angels, see James B. Jordan, Judges: God's War Against Humanism, p. 102.
Along these lines, see also, Baalism vs. Predestination. Pagans worship the star-demons, Christians understand them to be controlled by God. This was the irony of the "natural" plagues in Egypt.
Stars and Idolatry
Unlucky 13 -- Romans 13, Revelation 13 and Isaiah 13
A Roman's-Eye View of Romans 13
"Principalities and Powers"
"Principalities and Powers" - part 2
Lakes of Fire in "Smoke-Filled Rooms"
#22; #30; #35


43 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 51: Only One King Self-Consciously Serves God

Although God is continually and sovereignly ordering all political entities for the eventual accomplishment of His purposes, rebellious men do not submit to and honor God as they should. Legal and personal recognition of Christ in the government of human society was prophesied in the Old Testament to be a characteristic of the Age inaugurated by the God-man Jesus Christ at His First Advent.[1] Seated at God’s right hand (the Throne of David[2]) as the King of kings[3], He would sovereignly and Spiritually order all things to accomplish justice on earth[4] and men would give due honor to Him,[5] as He honors His Father in heaven. It is the purpose of these Theses to nurture faithful obedience to these Command-Prophecies.


Notes
1. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7
2. Acts 2:29-36; 13:32-33; #63
3. Psalm 72:11; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16;
4. Isaiah 11; 32:15-18
5. Psalm 22:27-31; 46:10; 66:4; 67:2; 72:8-11,17; 86:9; 102:15-22; 138:1-5; Isaiah 11:9; 27:6,13; 49:22-23; 51:4-5; 60:6; 66:18-23; Jeremiah 3:17; 4:2; Daniel 7:13-22; Micah 4:1-3; Zechariah 2:11; 8:20-23; Malachi 1:11



44 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 50: The State Does Not Serve God Self-Consciously

Nevertheless,[1] these same “ministers” -- kings and leaders of political (polis-centered) systems -- can also be identified with Satan himself.[2] The “State” is only an unwitting “minister.”[3] By definition, it is impossible for a State (a system of institutionalized violence and revenge) to self-consciously obey God’s Law and serve Christ.[4]

Notes
1. #49
2. Isaiah 14:11-15; Ezekiel 28
3. Isaiah 10:7; #94, #83; #78
4. Romans 12:17-21; #81

References
We have seen that the State is created by those who want to rebel against God's Law, and do not want to be confined to God's approved methods of dealing with social and personal problems.

"The State" is what people who want to steal and kill form, because if they tried to steal and kill as private citizens, public opinion would turn against them. There's no need for "the State" if you're content to use persuasion to raise money for your project. There's no need for "the State" if you intend to leave vengeance to God.

Romans 13 says we are to "submit" to the State because the State serves God's purposes. Many theologians say that if it is not self-consciously trying to obey God's Law, we don't have to "submit," but we can overthrow the State. That's not what the Bible says. It says "the State" serves God's purposes by disobeying God's Law (#48, #49); that no State is obeying God by stealing from people to purchase the instruments of death to take vengeance on enemies, but we are to "submit" to such empires and not to employ violence against them, because God is in control.

"The State" serves God's purposes even while it is busy denying God, defying God, and disobeying God's commandments.




45 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 49: The State As Sanctified “Servant”/ “Deacon”/”Minister”

The lawless raiders of the State, be they agents of War or agents of Revenue, are so firmly in the hand of the LORD[1] and so completely dedicated (useful) to His purposes that they may be said to be His “sanctified ones.”[2] They so serve His purposes of anger,[3] indignation,[4] wrath,[5] and vengeance,[6] that they may be called His “ministers” (from deaconeo, “to serve”), and a pagan king can even be called His “christ”[7] although he does not know the Lord or honor Jesus as the Christ of christs and King of kings.[8]

Notes
1. Proverbs 21:1
2. Isaiah 13:3
3. Isaiah 13:3
4. Isaiah 10:5
5. Isaiah 10:6
6. Romans 13:4
7. Isaiah 45:1 -- “anointed king”
8. Isaiah 45:5

References
God Sends EVIL !
Notice that the concepts in notes 3-6 are highlighted in red in the above essay.
Evil empires accomplish the task for which God sends them.
God's sending is effectual. They always serve Him.
It is not the case that the State should serve Him (be His "minister") but doesn't always.
It is not the case that we need not submit to those empires that are not effectively being His servants/deacons/ministers in self-conscious obedience.
They always serve His purposes, and we are never to rise up against them in violent revolution.

The prophets, such as Isaiah, form the backdrop for Paul's teaching on the State in Romans 13.

Romans13.com


46 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 48: The State Serves God by Sinning

By His decree, God can be said to “command” nations to do His bidding, carrying out His judgments against covenant-breakers.[1] The acts of rape, murder, theft, and violence committed by the “State” are nevertheless contrary to God’s written (revealed) commands, and these political machines will be judged for their lawless “obedience” to God’s “command.”[2]


Notes
1. Isaiah 10:6
2. Isaiah 10:12


References
God Sends EVIL !
This link is primarily a collection of verses.
Read each one and ask, who suffered at the hands of the "evil" described?
Did the "evil"doer have the moral right or moral approval of God to do the evil described?
Make the verses personal, that is, imagine the effects on real people.
Imagine real people -- your neighbors, your son -- committing these "patriotic" acts. Are they justified? Do their actions please God?

In the Isaiah passages above, some have said Assyria did the right thing but with the wrong reasons in their hearts. If Assyria were China and committed these acts against America, would China/Assyria be justified? Exonerated under "International Law?" Exonerated under God's Law?

We can easily imagine God sending the Chinese/Assyrians against America -- as one wit has put it, if God doesn't judge America, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology -- but it's difficult to see how China will be applauded rather than condemned by God for their actions.

Therefore the State "serves" God's purposes by sinning.

We will return to these verses when we examine the "minister" (servant) of God in Romans 13.

47 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 47: God’s Sovereign Ordering of Every State

The decisions of all kings and other political leaders are under the complete sovereign control of God. Even political and military decisions which are patently lawless and work great evil and injustice are predestined by God[1] and serve His purposes (#49). God hardens the hearts of Pharaohs and other political gods[2] so that their empires would be destroyed in judgment[3] and so that God’s covenant promises of cursing upon disobedience would be fulfilled.[4] All imperial acts are calculated and predestined by God for the execution of God’s judgment and His Kingdom purposes.[5]

Notes
1. Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 4:6; 21:10; Amos 3:6; 9:4; Micah 2:3
2. Romans 9:17; see Who Hardened Pharaoh's Heart?
3. Luke 1:52-53; #46 note 5
4. Exodus 7:3-5; #9
5. 1 Chronicles 5:26; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 40:23

48 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 46: Romans 8:28 and The State

All things -- even evil things -- work together to serve God’s purposes[1] because evil is predestined and dispatched by God.[2] Often the evil things which God sends are the armies of depraved empires.[3] Evil is carried out according to God’s sovereign plan by statist politicians, generals, and others, who think they are exercising their “free will.”[4] Sometimes the evil God causes an empire to do makes the State its own worst enemy.[5] (Some would prefer to believe that God does not “predestine” evil, but that it “just happens.”[6] Such Arminians [and other politicians] receive God’s judgment.[7]) As pacifists (#79, #80
#81), Christians are not to resist the evil State with violence, but are to “submit” to it.[8] But this fact (that we are to “submit” to the State, the evil acts of evil politicians) does not mean that they have a morally legitimate existence, even though we recognize that they were “ordained” (predestined) by God.[9] God often sends angels to carry out evil acts, or to prompt human beings to do evil.[10] These angels or demons are often called “powers.”[11] Providence, Pacifism, and the Powers: this is the context in which we must understand that much-abused passage, Romans 13:1-7.


Notes

1. Romans 8:28.

2. Deuteronomy 31:29; Joshua 23:15; 1 Kings 14:9-10; 21:29; 2 Kings 21:12; 22:16,20; Nehemiah 13:18; Numbers 14:35; Deuteronomy 29:21; 30:15; Judges 2:15; Job 2:10; 42:11; Psalm 54:5; Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 6:19; 11:11; 18:11; 19:3,15; 23:12; 25:32; 32:42; 35:17; 36:3,31; 39:16; 44:2; 51:64; 42:6; 26:3; 26:13; Lamentations 3:38; Ezekiel 7:3-5; Daniel 9:12:14; Amos 3:6; Micah 1:12; 2:3; 2 Samuel 17:14.

3. Leviticus 26:25; Judges 3:12; 2 Samuel 7:14; 12:11; 1 Kings 5:4; 9:9; 2 Kings 19:7; 2 Chronicles 20:9; Proverbs 16:4; 1 Chronicles 5:26; Jeremiah 4:6; 9:16; 21:10; 24:10; 25:27,29; 29:17; 42:17; 44:27; 49:37; Ezekiel 5:17; 14:21; 28:23; 29:19-20; Jeremiah 49:37; Amos 9:4; [the “sword”].

4. Genesis 50:20; 2 Samuel 17:14; Isaiah 10:5-7; Micah 4:11-13; Acts 2:23; 4:24-29; 13:27-28; Revelation 17:17.

5. Exodus 14:4; Deuteronomy 2:30; 1 Kings 12:15; Daniel 11:27.

6. 1 Samuel 6:9.

7. Zephaniah 1:12.

8. Matthew 5:39,41; Jeremiah 29:7; 27:12; 38:17-18; Romans 12:14,18 - 13:4; 1 Peter 2:11-24.

9. Isaiah 10:12; Jeremiah 30:16; Matthew 26:52.

10. 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalm 78:49; Judges 9:23-24; 1 Samuel 16:14-16; Luke 4:5-7.

11. Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 2:2; 1:19-21.


References
• God Sends EVIL !
• A Biblical Defense of Pacifism - "Pacifism" is obedience to God's Commands, "Thou shalt not kill," and "Thou shalt not steal."
• TOTAL Predestination!


49 Theses til Election Day

F. PATRIARCHY AND PROVIDENCE: THE STATE

If God never commanded men to form a State, why do such empires exist?

The answer is “Providence.”

Romans 13 says God “ordained” the State.
This does not mean the State has God’s ethical commendation or "seal of approval."

Romans 13 says the State is the “minister” or “deacon” of God.
But Isaiah 13 says the bloodthirsty nation which destroyed Babylon “served” God’s purposes. God calls these murderous rapists “My sanctified ones.”

“Providence” is another word for “Predestination.”

Murder is evil.
God sometimes sends murderers in divine judgment against sin.

God has predestined the State.
The State is evil.
God has predestined evil.

The conclusion is difficult to accept, but the premises are Scripturally true and the logic is inescapable.

In this next group of Theses we will examine God's Providence and His sovereignty over empires which have no right to exist.

Thesis 45: The Inferiority Of Old Covenant Typological Mediators

King David, for all his goodness, would have been disqualified from being an overseer in the Apostolic Church.[1] Likewise Solomon, for all his wisdom, was a polygamist,[2] military dictator,[3] and idolater;[4] under him were fulfilled the curses of 1 Samuel 8.[5] Although representing a departure from God’s Law (as given to the Patriarchs[6]), God allowed non-Familial institutions; they (a) helped maintain some social order[7] and (b) served as a pedagogue, teaching the people about the True King, the coming Christ.[8]

Notes
1. 1 Timothy 3:2 + 1 Samuel 25:43; 1 Timothy 3:3 + 1 Chronicles 28:3; 1 Timothy 3:4 + 1 Kings 1:6,11
2. 1 Kings 11:1ff.
3. 1 Kings 4:26ff.; 5:13ff.
4. 1 Kings 11:4-11
5. 1 Kings 10:14+c.; 12:11; cp. Deuteronomy 17:14-20; cf. #24
6. Genesis 26:5; 18:19
7. 2 Chronicles 19:5-11; Isaiah 49:23; #94, #34
8. Psalm 72; Galatians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 10:11


References

What is an "Institution"?

Thesis 41: The Character of “gods”


50 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 44: The State as the Answer to the Prayers of Rebels

The monarchy in Israel was a result of rebellion in families,[1] a desire to be like the demonic States around Israel,[2] a rejection of the Lord’s priestly calling to be a holy nation,[3] and a rejection of God’s Law as given to the Patriarchs.[4] When the people desire centralized political structures it is because they desire to flee personal patriarchal responsibility.[5] God judges their sin by granting their wish, and inflicting upon these covetous, irresponsible Families the curse of the State.[6] Empire is a substitute for Godly Families: The alternative is always Patriarchy (government by Godly Families) or the Paternalistic State (“the government” instead of Godly Families).[7] Political officers were therefore at all times to be called “father” and “mother”[8] to remind both citizen and officer of the Patriarchal ideal in God’s Law.

Notes
1. 1 Samuel 2:12ff.,29; 3:13; 8:2-5
2. 1 Samuel 8:5,20
3. Numbers 23:9; Exodus 33:16
4. 1 Samuel 8:7,18[LXX]-19; 10:19; 12:12, 17,19; Hosea 13:11; Ezekiel 20:24-25
5. 1 Samuel 8:20
6. 1 Samuel 8:11-18; Ezekiel 20:25.
7. Genesis 41:43
8. Cf. references in Westminster Larger Catechism, qq. 124-125, + Job 29:16; Judges 17:10; 1 Sam 24:11,21; Acts 7:2; Judges 5:7.




51 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 43: The Prohibition of Monarchism

The movement toward centralization of power under political mediators is a rejection of God.[1] Decentralization is less archist, and more salvational [re: health, wealth, welfare, victory, etc., cf. #41].


Notes
1. Judges 8:23; 1 Samuel 8:7; Judges 9

References
1 Samuel 8: The State as Rejection of God
Rushdoony on The Implications of 1 Samuel 8
Thomas Paine on 1 Samuel 8
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
I SAMUEL 8 - David Boaz

The argument here is not just against monarchism (one archist), but against all archism, such as oligarchy (small group of archists). Archists are gods, attempting to bring salvation. See also, James B. Jordan, "Appendix E: Salvation and Statism," in Law of the Covenant: An Exposition of Exodus 21-23 pp. 240-242.

A Political View of Life

The goal is to move away from earthly archists.

What is an "Archist"



52 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 42: National Security Without a State

Life without a “State” can be peaceful and safe,[1] especially when Christ is King.[2]

Notes
1. Judges 18:7 + 1 Kings 4:25; Leviticus 25:18-19; 26:5; Ezekiel 28:26; Genesis 13-14
2. Micah 4:1-5

References
Patriarchy and "National Security"
This is a rather lengthy discussion of the situation described in Judges 18, a state of "anarchy" with no civil magistrate.

53 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 41: The Character of “gods”

Political mediators are “gods”[1] and “saviors.”[2]

Notes
1. Exodus 21:6; 22:8-9,20,28; 1 Corinthians 8:5; 2 Peter 2:10 + Jude 9; Psalm 95:3; 82:1; 138:1; Jeremiah 2:28; cf. Deuteronomy 29:26, #22, #35; Exodus 34:15/Leviticus 17:7/2 Chronicles 11:15
2. Judges 3:9 - 16:31; Obadiah 1:21.

References
Politicians are "political mediators." They are called "gods."

They mediate salvation between the Sovereign and the People.

There is no need for priests and gods under the New Covenant. They were temporary and remedial.

There is now only one true Mediator, one true Savior, one path to salvation.

Thesis 28 may be deleted and incorporated into this thesis.


54 Theses til Election Day

E. Patriarchy and the Rise of the State

The Chronicle of History infallibly recorded in Scripture is clear: the “State” was the property of rebellious, pagan nations. They invented the State; they lived under political regimes. We have seen the birth and rise of the State in Cain, Nimrod, and people who rebelled against God and left the righteous, forming nations outside of Israel. The creation of the State is the creation of a false Messiah/Savior, and a violation of God's commandments.

There came a point in time when Israel definitively rejected Patriarchy in favor of Politics.

The Bible says the desire for a State is the rejection of God.

But God is still in control of this rebellion. Providence is sovereign over Politics.

Thesis 40: Patriarchy and Oaths

[null]

Notes
[1] Deuteronomy 10:20 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

[2] Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.
2 Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
2 Chronicles 6:22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; 23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

[3] Deuteronomy 6:13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

[4] Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Jeremiah 5:7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

[5] Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
2 Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Isaiah 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

[6] 1 Kings 8:31 If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house.
Nehemiah 13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
Ezra 10:5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

[7] Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Jeremiah 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

[8] Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell. 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

[9] Numbers 5:19 And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse. 21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell.
Nehemiah 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
Exodus 22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods. 9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: 11 Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

[10] Jeremiah 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
Psalm 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

[11] 1 Samuel 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. 32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. 34 For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

[12] Ezekiel 17:16 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. 18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
Joshua 9:18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
2 Samuel 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

[13] Isaiah 19:21 And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
Psalm 61:8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Psalm 66:13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

[14] Psalm 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
Jeremiah 44:25 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. 26 Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liveth.

[15] Deuteronomy 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. 23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.
Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.
Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.
Psalm 66:13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
Psalm 132:2 How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

[16] Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Mark 6:26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the Lord shall forgive her. 12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the Lord shall forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.

[17] Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
1 Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
1 Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.



References
This Thesis is a temporary one, currently being re-written.

Oaths are a significant and neglected Biblical subject. One-fifth of the Ten Commandments relate to oaths. The Notes above are from the Westminster Confession of Faith. An entire chapter is devoted to oaths out of 33 chapters, so surely there should be one thesis out of 95.

An Oath is A Sacred Act of Worship

Does the Bible Forbid Taking an Oath?

The oath issue is at the heart of America's Apostasy:

My Conflict with the Oath of Office

Battling Secularism by Charging Secularists with Perjury

Christians for a "Test Oath" -- Table of Contents

Political Polytheism

National Oath-taking has a long history:

Paleopresbyterianism Versus Neopresbyterianism


55 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 39: Patriarchy and Education

Education (imparting the knowledge of God’s comprehensive Word and wisdom [the ability to apply it in every area of life]) is the responsibility of the Family, including fathers and grandfathers,[1] who also have a duty of lifelong learning.

Notes
1. Deuteronomy 4:9f.; 6:7f., 20f.; 11:18-21

References
TheLifelongLearner.com
Education
How to Socialize Young Children
A Gutsy Journalist Asks: Is Day Care Child Abuse?

Theocratic Education
The Founding of Education in America
The Bible in Public Schools: The Founders' View
Bible Reading in the Schools
In Defense of Horace Mann
McGuffy's and the New England Primer
Government-Led Prayers
Literacy and Knowledge without Christianity?
Non-Sectarian, but still Religious
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Religion and Education


56 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 38: Patriarchy and the Temple

The True Temple is in Heaven[1]; the temple in Jerusalem was but an earthly model of it.[2] This pedagogical teaching aid was destroyed at the end of the Old Covenant world.[3] The body of Jesus, the Second Adam, was a model of the New Temple, and of the Redeemed individual.[4] The Body of Christ (His Church) is now the New Temple.[5] We will never see another earthly temple (building) constructed by God’s Elect.[6]

Notes:
1. Revelation 7:15; 11:19; 14:17; 15:5; 16:17; #27.
2. M.G. Kline, Images of the Spirit
3. Matthew 23:29 - 24:3ff.; Luke 21:20-22; Luke 23:44-45.
4. Matthew 12:6; John 2:19-22; Exodus 28.
5. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21; Revelation 3:12.
6. Revelation 21:22.

References:
Roderick Campbell, "The New Temple," chap 17 in Israel and the New Covenant

The building of a temple in Jerusalem by either Jews or Moslems has no Biblical significance (except to deny the teachings of the Bible). The Bible neither prophesies or condones such a construction project.


57 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 37: The Temporary Character of The First “Church Officers”

Judges were appointed to ease the burden of Moses’ mediatorial task.[1] Israel’s mediators were given a measure of Moses’ Spirit.[2] It was Moses’ desire that all believers would have the capacity to make judgments.[3] While Moses’ immediate purpose was to resolve disputes, his ultimate purpose was to teach the people the principles of God’s Law and make them competent therein.[4] Not until the New Covenant did God’s people become
• kings and priests
• a kingdom of priests
• a royal priesthood.[5]
Prior to this, they lacked the Spiritual power which comes only through Christ.[6]

Notes
1. Exodus 18:21-26
2. Numbers 11:17
3. Numbers 11:29; 35:24; cf. Acts 2:17f.; Deuteronomy 5:29-31; Proverbs 6:6-8; 30:24,27
4. Exodus 18:16,20
5. These phrases are obviously saying the same thing:
Exodus 19:5-6; Hosea 1:9; 2:23; 4:6; 1 Peter 2:5-10; Revelation 1:6; 5:10
6. Romans 8:3-5; Hebrews 7:19; 8:8-13; John 1:12,17

References
Elders as Judges
Patriarchs as "Elders"
The Elder's Checklist
The resources above attempt to show that all the duties of "elders" (as defined by those who defend the traditional view of the institutional church) are duties for all Christians, and that all Christians should aspire to be servants when they are elders, exercising the offices of prophet, priest, king, and judge, in the way these offices are theoretically exercised in the traditional view only by the "ordained" (insofar as these functions and offices are appropriately exercised by anyone today). In other words, if anyone has a duty as a priest or king, everyone has that duty, and we should all be growing into those duties.

Numbers 11:29 is a key passage, showing Moses' desire not to be a permanent judge all of his life over a slave-like people, but for heads of households in Israel to be self-governing:

25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.
26 But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”
29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” 30 And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

All Christians are to be kings (judges) and priests (note 5). The idea of a separate caste of "ordained" "elders" who function as kings and priests over the rest of the (non-functioning, non self-governing) Body was a temporary pedagogy in the Old Testament and is now sub-Biblical.


58 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 36: The Promised Land

A parcel of land was promised to Abraham as a place where “the seed of the woman”[1] could multiply and eventually produce a Messiah, the Savior of the World.[2] The land functioned as a kind of geographical incubator for the genetic line leading to Christ.[3] In the New Covenant, neither the land nor the raising of seed[4] has any prophetic or moral importance, the Seed having come.[5] Christians, as the true heirs of Abraham,[6] are promised the entire world.[7]

Notes
1. Genesis 3:15
2. Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 17:8; 22:17-18; Hebrews 2:16
3. Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38
4. Genesis 3:15; 16:2; 19:32; 38:8ff.; Leviticus 12; 15:16-32
5. Galatians 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:2; Luke 20:35; Galatians 3:19
6. Galatians 3:7,9,14,28-29; Romans 4:13,16; 9:8; 1 Peter 1:23
7. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Psalm 2:8; #93

References
Roderick Campbell, "The New Inheritance," chap 18 in Israel and the New Covenant
Israel: Is the State God?
Who Owns the Holy Land?


59 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 35: Angels And The Pedagogical Legal Structure

Just as (fallen) angelic forces were placed over the unclean nations (cf. #21, #22), the holy nation of Israel was given a pedagogical legal structure by God’s angels.[1]

Notes
1. Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2

References
We have now introduced the concept of angelic government over both the ungodly:

Stars and Idolatry

and the Godly:

Angels and God's Throne of Government Part one.

Angels and God's Throne of Government Part two.

We have barely scratched the surface.

Soon enough we will suggest that Christ replaced the angels.


60 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 34: The Need for a Pedagogical Legal Structure

The generation that came out of Egypt was unable to apply the Law of God to every area of their lives, being dominated by the slave mentality inculcated by Egypt.[1] Therefore God raised up Moses as a social-legal mediator between God and the people.[2] Although God’s Law was given to the Patriarchs,[3] it was necessary for Moses to re-issue it and institutionalize it for the immature and slave-like Israelites coming out of bondage.[4] This temporary regression was thus necessary at the time, and God was rightly praised for it.[5]

Notes
1. Exodus 14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3; Numbers 9:16-17; 11:4-7; 13:31 - 14:4,7-10; 21:5-6 + Exodus 7:11-12; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 78; 106:7; Ezekiel 20:8; Hosea 6:4-7; Acts 7:39.
2. Exodus 18:19-20; John 1:17; Hebrews 3:1-6
3. Genesis 18:19; 26:5
4. Deuteronomy 4:14; John 7:19,22
5. cf. 1 Kings 8:5; 2 Chronicles 2:12; Galatians 3:9.

References
Moses and Pharaoh: Dominion Religion vs. Power Religion
What Bible commentators have failed to understand is that the conflict between Moses and Pharaoh was at heart a conflict between the two major religions in man's history, dominion religion and power religion, with the third religion - escapist religion - represented by the Hebrew slaves. What they have also failed to point out is that there is an implicit alliance between the power religion and the escapist religion.
-- Gary North

"Dominion Religion" is the religion of obedient stewardship under God and service toward others. "Power Religion" is the worship of the State. "Escapist Religion" is a desire to escape responsibility, a refusal to exercise dominion under God, and the desire for the State to provide womb-to-tomb security at no cost.

The Old Testament is arguably the most "anti-semitic" book ever written. It describes a miracle-working God who is long-suffering and gracious, and a "chosen people" who ignore the miracles and exhaust God's patience by disobeying the commands. You and I may think to ourselves, "Boy, if I had seen all those miracles, I would have believed and been faithful." Maybe, but Israel was not faithful.

For a people dominated by a slave-mentality, God instituted a visible priesthood and rules which are inconsistently described as both "civil" and "ecclesiastical." We contend that these priestly institutions -- both civil and ecclesiastical -- were temporary and remedial.

Note 3 will eventually contain references from James B. Jordan, "The Law Before Sinai," in The Law of the Covenant: An Exposition of Exodus 21-23, pp. 50-52.


61 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 33: Patriarchs And “Elders”

“Elders” existed before the giving of the law at Sinai,[1] and if they are not simply heads of Families[2] then they are the products of social/cultural impotence, political bondage, and the slave mentality acquired in Egypt.[3]

Notes
1. Exodus 3:16
2. Exodus 12:21; 2 Chronicles 19:8
3. Exodus 5:6,14; Numbers 11:16

References
Patriarchs as "Elders"
In the New Testament, the "elder" is usually considered an exclusively "ecclesiastical" office. In the Old Testament it is usually considered a "civil" office. In both testaments they are either a temporary, pedagogical appointed office, or they are the natural patriarchal heads. (Of course there is no such thing as "natural"; a Godly patriarch is a gift of God's grace.) The goal is the unification of "civil" and "ecclesiastical" functions in the family, if they are legitimate functions at all.


62 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 32: Patriarchy and “Sacraments”: Passover

The “sacrament” of Passover was administered by heads of Families.[1]

Notes
1. Exodus 12:3-4

References
Gary North denies this Thesis in his book Baptized Patriarchalism, pp. 45ff., where he points out that Jesus did not celebrate Passover with families, but only with Apostles. This puts North on a trajectory that says only ordained clergy can observe the Lord's Table.

The fundamental assumption going through North's book from cover to cover is the assumption that "the State" and the institutional church are instituted and approved by God: "three covenantal institutions" (family, state, church). These Theses are designed to show that the institution of "the State" was an act of rebellion. It was predestined by God, but does not carry God's ethical approval, and in fact is contrary to God's commandments. Secondarily, these Theses attempt to prove that the Old Testament priesthood was remedial and temporary. This priesthood is the basis for the contemporary "institutional church." That leaves the Family, or "patriarchy."

Readers are wholeheartedly invited to post references to North's commentaries as well as the works of James Jordan regarding the family and Passover. We will interact with them in more detail. "Clarification of thought" is the goal.


63 Theses til Election Day

Thesis 31: Ceremony, Ritual, Liturgy, And The “Pedagogical Law”

Before the Coming of Christ, the path to reconciliation with God was taught through ceremonial rituals which pictured the atonement and cleansing which Christ made in His death. Together with the priests who administered these laws, this liturgical system served as our Pedagogue.[1] After the Coming of Christ, the path to reconciliation with God is taught to us by the Holy Spirit;[2] ritual cleansings and sheddings of blood (which only prefigured the work of Christ) have no place in this age,[3] and the terms of the Old Covenant itself made this explicit.[4]

Notes
1. Galatians 3:23 - 4:3
2. 1 John 2:27; Hebrews 10:15
3. Galatians 3:25 - 4:7; Hebrews 5:13 - 6:6; 10:4
4. Psalm 51:16; Hosea 6:6; 2 Chronicles 30:18-20; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Hebrews 7:12,18,28; Micah 6:6-8; Psalm 40:6-8 (Hebrews 10:4-9); Psalm 50:8-9; I Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 15:8; 21:3; 28:9; Isaiah 1; 58:6-7; Jeremiah 7:22; Hosea 6:6 (Matthew 9:11-13; 12:6-7); Amos 5:21-24; 2 Chronicles 30:18-20; (cf. Mark 12:33); #59


References
This is a fairly straight-forward statement of the Bahnsenian "Theonomic" position. Of course, nobody who used to be known as a "Theonomist" is a Theonomist any more. All of those Theonomists who are no longer Theonomists will agree that these Theses are not Theonomic, especially since they place "capital punishment" among the "ceremonial" laws.

Theonomy in Christian Ethics

By This Standard

No Other Standard

Theonomy: An Informed Response

Was Calvin a Theonomist?

Covenant Enforced: Sermons on Deuteronomy 27 and 28

The Sinai Strategy: Economics and the Ten Commandments

Tools of Dominion: The Case Laws of Exodus

Leviticus: An Economic Commentary

Boundaries and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Leviticus

Sanctions and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Numbers

Inheritance and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Deuteronomy

Beyond Theonomy
I give credit to Jim Jordan for being a very stimulating writer. I gather he would disagree with this post's claim that "ritual" has no part in the Christian life any more:

Ritual Versus Christianity « Biblical Horizons

We will be discussing the New Covenant ritual Jordan mentions -- from a consistent preterist perspective.

Here is a link to a time-management guru who speaks of "ritual" in the business world:

WakeUpProductiveBlog: How To Manage Yourself And Your Time (And How To Dramatically Increase Your Personal Productivity)

This is a completely different meaning (in my opinion) from what Jim Jordan is talking about. The way I used the word "ritual" in this blog post describes a ceremony prescribed by God which has some atonement value, or else has some kind of "religious" value, as opposed to a "ritual" habit or practice in business. Ritual in this last sense is an extension of the precept laid down by Paul, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Peter Maurin "was the kind of teacher who believed in repetition, restatement, and the continual return to first principles." It might be a good idea to schedule a regular time of day to re-read a question from the Larger Catechism. One might speak of this as a "ritual." But it is not the type of ritual described in this Thesis.


64 Theses til Election Day