The Doctrine of Interposition teaches that lesser magistrates have the right and responsibility to interpose themselves to protect the citizens under their jurisdiction form the hegemony of higher magistrates. The most famous implementation of this doctrine was our patriot forefathers (lesser magistrates) who interposed themselves between the people of the colonies and the Parliament of England (higher magistrates). The result was the Declaration of Independence. An argument can be made that later on in regard to other issues, both Madison and Jefferson supported the Doctrine of Interposition.

Sullivan County is located in Northeast Tennessee and is in population the fifth largest county in the State. This week I had the opportunity to urge our County Commissioners to adopt a resolution requesting that the Tennessee State Legislature interpose themselves between the people of Tennessee and the Supreme Court in regard to the decision of Obergefell v. Hodges.

The Constitution of Tennessee was amended by over 81% of the people in 2006 and defines marriage as “a relationship between one man and one woman.” It goes on further to state that any policy or judicial interpretation contrary to this definition shall be “void and unenforceable in Tennessee.”

I told the Sullivan County Commissions that they were “ministers of God” for good according to Romans 13:4, and therefore they were under an obligation to uphold the law of God as revealed in the Bible. About twelve of our local citizens spoke to the Commission in favor of the Resolution, most of them either ministers or members of PCA churches. One Lutheran pastor spoke. The result was a vote of 20 out of 24 commissioners to adopt the Resolution. We were expecting defeat, but the Resolution carried by a huge majority. It was a joyous occasion for us!

The whole matter will now come before the Tennessee State Legislature in early 2016. We already have supporters of Interposition in both the State Senate and the House of Representatives via bills that will be introduced to the Senate (SB 1437) and the House of Representatives (HB 1412). We are asking all Christian citizens of Tennessee to contact their county commissions and follow our lead (three other counties have already adopted a similar resolution). We will need to travel to the State Capitol in Nashville in early January to support those legislators who have signed on to introduce and support these bills. Our prayer and hope is that this will be adopted by the Tennessee Legislature and then become a template for other states to follow.

The Doctrine of Interposition teaches that lesser magistrates have the right and responsibility to interpose themselves to protect the citizens under their jurisdiction form the hegemony of higher magistrates. The most famous implementation of this doctrine was our patriot forefathers (lesser magistrates) who interposed themselves between the people of the colonies and the Parliament of England (higher magistrates). The result was the Declaration of Independence. An argument can be made that later on in regard to other issues, both Madison and Jefferson supported the Doctrine of Interposition.

My argument for Interposition was not based upon either the Constitution (10th Amendment) or on historical precedence. My argument was based upon two major points.

First, the calling of God to the civil magistrate is to uphold the Law of God, in this particular case the 7th Commandment. I argued that the laws of God were given to protect the people. The 6th Commandment was given to protect the dignity and lives of our citizens. The 8th Commandment was given to protect private property. The 7th Commandment was given to protect the family, as defined by the Bible.

Secondly, I argued that both the Constitution of the United States and the State of Tennessee are rather neutral documents. Ultimately, the law is what the interpreters of the two Constitutions declare it to be. The problem we face is that the interpreters of the U.S. Constitution (Supreme Court) have contradicted the interpreters of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, who were the people of Tennessee voting in a referendum. This creates a dilemma, but I told the Commission that ultimately the interpretation of the definition of marriage is the word of God.

I concluded my speech with the following statement. “Some men simply live in history, but other men make history. It takes courage to make history. I encourage you to adopt this Resolution today.”

Opposition is intense, but we expected that. Christians have been told that there must be a separation between church and state. Our response to this is that we agree to the separation of church and state, but we do not believe that religion and state can be separated. Civil laws are the legislation of morality, and as Dr. Rushdoony once said, the source of law in any society is the god of that society.

I urge any readers who are Christian residents of the State of Tennessee to contact your county commission and your state legislators to interpose on behalf of the people in regard to the usurpation of power by the Supreme Court. I pray that other states will follow. Tyranny must be resisted. Win or lose, we must be faithful to the cause of righteousness.

Larry E. Ball is a Honorably Retired Minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is now a CPA. He lives in Kingsport, Tennessee.