Before it is proper to make pronouncements on such issues as political redistribution of wealth, even as it relates to modern education and its broader component, modern socialism, it would be good to demonstrate a biblical worldview of the Civil Magistrate including both its responsibilities and its limitations.

I appreciate very much Andy Webb’s article, “A reminiscence and reflection on the current student riots in the UK and M&Ms” http://bit.ly/gobiG5

I would hope that I am not alone in my approval, and I would guess that most others who read The Aquila Report would agree with Andy. I think a poll of your readers asking for their opinion of the article would be a little like a “phone-in poll” from viewers who watch Fox News. Because we all run in the same camp, the approval ratings would be very high.

I have no bone to pick with Andy. He is an articulate leader in the conservative right-wing movement in the PCA, and I consider myself a part of that movement, and I have considered myself a part of that movement since I signed the original charter for the organization of the PCA back in 1973.

However, Andy’s article is representative of modern conservative theologians as they speak to political issues. It is quite common today in evangelical and reformed circles to hear of such things as God given rights, something similar to the language used in the Declaration of Independence. We conservatives (both religious and political) agree that we should not be spending other people’s money. We agree that students should pay for their own education. However, what God declares as rights, or what things we believe are contrary to the rights given by God, must be demonstrated by reference to the Word of God. This is my bone of contention. A general reference to the rights given by God misses the mark.

The problem with most modern conservative evangelicals, and even with reformed folk, is that they make conservative pronouncements that basically are true, but because those pronouncements concern the body politic, they have a very difficult time quoting Scripture. I’m not sure why? Maybe it’s the “separation of church and religion” myth. Maybe they are afraid of being classified as reconstructionists or theonomists. I’ve heard that this movement is almost dead, but there are still some of us alive.

Before it is proper to make pronouncements on such issues as political redistribution of wealth, even as it relates to modern education and its broader component, modern socialism, it would be good to demonstrate a biblical worldview of the Civil Magistrate including both its responsibilities and its limitations. It would be good to quote the Bible. The Civil Magistrate has the responsibility to “be a cause for good behavior.” (Romans 13:3) Good behavior is defined by God’s Law, “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus20:15) From such biblical passages as these, one can develop a theology of the civil magistrate, and then have a biblical basis of writing a critique on the validity of the civil magistrate redistributing wealth, especially as it relates to education.

Andy says, “The real problem is not one of economics but worldview.” No, the real problem is economics. Economics is not a neutral discipline. Economics is either Christian or it is not. Wealth redistribution by the Civil Magistrate is either Christian or it is not. A proper worldview must include a biblical theology of economics. This is my bone of contention.

Andy, in principle, expressed my views exactly. I appreciate that. I don’t mean to be critical of him, for I regard him highly. I only chose his article because I read The Aquila Report, and because his article provided the opportunity for me to say what is not being said today.

This is one reason why modern political conservatism is just as bankrupt as modern political liberalism. We express conservative opinions, but generally without one reference to the Word of God. That’s what Fox News does. We Christians must strive to be better than Fox News. We must do better if we are to expect the civil magistrate to listen to us, and if we are to be the prophets that God has called us to be. The Bible speaks to everything, even politics and even to education bankrolled by the Civil Magistrate in the UK. Christ reigns over all. In our zeal for the Lord, as we comment on social issues including such things as homosexuality, abortion, and yes, even economics, we must rediscover the old battle cry as we plainly quote the word of God without hesitation, “Thus says the Lord.” A generic reference to the rights given by God will simply not do anymore.
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Larry E. Ball is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as Pastor of Bridwell Heights Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, Tennessee.