Over the last few days both Toby Sumpter (pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow, ID) and Douglas Wilson (pastor Christ Church of Moscow, ID) have responded to Joel McDurmon’s and my critique of Wilson’s comments on incrementalism and abolitionism. For the record, the link to the podcast in which Douglas made comments about abolitionism is here, his... Continue Reading →
Smashing the Idol of “Incrementalism”, even the “smashmouth” variety (Muscovite Compromise Part 1)
by John Reasnor and Joel McDurmon — As Christian Reconstructionists and abolitionists, Douglas Wilson’s recent article on incrementalism and the so-called “abolish human abortion now” mentality is disconcerting. This is not his first article on “incrementalism,” but it has been some time since he has been this clear in his support for it. In fact,... Continue Reading →
Covenantal Guilt, Judgment, and the Positive Aspect of the Law (Authority Part 5)
When an entire assembly, denomination, nation, or culture rejects their obligations to the positive aspect of God’s Law, is there justification for a proclamation of guilt after proper corrections are attempted? Multiple examples from the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, and our Lord show that a covenantal proclamation of guilt is justified in such... Continue Reading →
The Positive Aspect of the Law: Elders, Sabbath, and Obeying Parents (Authority Part 4)
Although the church should not prosecute based on violations of the positive aspect of God’s Law, other considerations, such as the qualifications for eldership, are very much positive law. This means that although an elder may not be disciplined as a member for failing to be hospitable or failing to have his house in order,... Continue Reading →
The Negative Law, the Positive Law, and Jurisdiction (Authority Part 3)
In his review of R.J. Rushdoony’s The Institutes of Biblical Law, John Frame states, In discussing “The Negativism of the Law,” Rushdoony argues that since the decalogue is largely negative, our civil laws ought to be negative too, i.e., directed against specific evils rather than setting forth ideals for society to attain. However, on pages 110f,... Continue Reading →
The Positive Aspect of God’s law: the Church’s Obligation (Authority Part 2)
The Positive Obligation of The Church The Church has a great obligation. All Image Bearers of God bear a responsibility to obey both the positive and negative aspects of God’s Law. The negative aspects of God’s Law are the prohibitions. The “shall nots.” The positive aspects of God’s Law are the commands from God explicitly... Continue Reading →
Is Working With The State Serving Two Masters?
There are voluntarists (sometimes called anarchists), such as myself, that hold to a voluntary view of civil government based off of Theonomic Law, reason, and utility. I, as an voluntarist and Theonomist (sometimes the same people but certainly not always), however, am not opposed to using and participating in institutions that currently do not match... Continue Reading →
The Altar of Ecclesiastical Idolatry
In the fight against the abortion holocaust we must unite according to the Gospel. Not ecclesiology and not tactics. Theology matters. How much Theology matters also matters. We should consider first things first. Above all other things, we should be for Christ and His Kingdom. Abolitionism (as in the worldview/ideology) has always affirmed the importance... Continue Reading →
Must Christians Speak Out Against Injustice?
Do Christians have any moral responsibility to speak out against injustice and evil in their culture? Assuredly, the individual Christian cannot repent of someone else’s sin. The individual Christian will not stand before God and have his personal sin weighed together with his local church’s sins or his country’s sins. However, the Christian’s duty and... Continue Reading →
The Immigration Debate and the Hidden Root
There is a lot of talking past one another when Christians discuss immigration. This is not what I would call a unique problem with the subject matter, but immigration certainly seems to be, for many, a subject of particular consternation and frustration. Often, there is a great deal of emotionalism involved. Fears and anxieties based... Continue Reading →