Gordon H. Clark: Civil Law

 

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:1–4, NKJV)

 

 

Gordon H. Clark’s Comments on the Civil Magistrate:  A Quick Look

 

The current attack on the conservative views of Christians who live in middle America is nothing new.  These same sorts of attacks by the political left and the Marxists was prevalent in the early to middle twentieth century as well.  The late Dr. Gordon H. Clark wrote a brief commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith, originally published in 1965.  His remarks are extraordinarily similar to observations being made today by religious and political pundits.  What is missing is Clark’s contention that secularism or secular humanism almost always leads to totalitarianism:

 

In another volume I have analyzed several of the secular theories of the state and have attempted to make clear that the social contract theory, either in Rousseau’s form or in Locke’s form, and all other secular theories as well, are in the final analysis simply assertions of brute force.  My thesis is that secularism necessarily implies dictatorship and totalitarian rule.  For example, Aristotle pointedly objects to Plato’s communism; but his own theory defines the state as the partnership or “community” which includes all partnerships, and the good of the state as the good which includes all goods.  The result is state control of religion and of all human good. 

Dr. Gordon H. Clark.   What Do Presbyterians Believe?  The Westminster Confession Yesterday and Today.  First Edition, 1965.  (Trinity Foundation:  Unicoi, 2001).  P. 207.

 

In a question and answer session following his lecture on Predestination in the Old Testament, Clark said that he favored basing the civil laws of the United States of America on the Decalogue or Ten Commandments.  I cannot find the transcript for that discussion at the moment, but suffice it to say that Clark remarked that the civil law makes stealing and perjury crimes.  Murder is also a crime.  In fact, stealing is against the 8^th commandment; perjury violates the 9^th commandment.  Murder violates the 6^th commandment.  Further remarks in Clark’s commentary on chapter 19 of the Westminster Confession of Faith states that the Supreme Court has violated the law of God.  It seems clear, therefore, that Clark advocated the general equity view of the moral law of God:

 

The moral law also provides principles for the conduct of our civil affairs.  It does not spell out the details, but it sets limits and furnishes norms.  (Ibid., p. 185).

 

And in the last two paragraphs of the same chapter, Clark says:

 

This is the corruption that permeates our national life.  From the office of the President on down there are scandals, murder, syndicates, riots and destruction of property, not to mention the much-advertised [sic] sexual decay among fraternities and sororities as they gather for their wild festivities.

Evil education has been warping American youth for years.  There is no easy way to reverse the trend.  Atheism and immorality are entrenched.  One thing that is needed is powerful preaching of the law of God.  Right is right because God commands it.  Wrong is what God forbids.  There is no other basis for moral distinctions.  If, however, the world will not hear the preaching of righteousness, if it loves its sins as the people of Sodom did, then at least we can examine our own lives and see if there is any wicked way in us.  The law of God is a lamp on our pathway and a light to our feet.  By taking heed thereto a young man, and an older man too, may correct his ways.  (Ibid., p. 187).

 

A few years ago, I got into an email debate with Sean Gerety, who writes an allegedly Clarkian Scripturalist blog called God’s Hammer.   To be fair, Gerety has not done much blogging recently.  I first encountered the writings of Gordon H. Clark after reading Gerety’s blog and investigating the Trinity Foundation website, which is the only place to purchase Clark’s books.  Clark’s books are now out of print elsewhere.   I later learned that Gerety’s political views are out of agreement with Clark’s views, which I would generally identify as the general equity view, though not necessarily theonomic.  The Trinity Foundation is out of agreement with the Westminster Confession of Faith, in my opinion, on the issue of the perseverance of the saints.  Instead, I would argue that the Trinity Foundation, hosted by Tom Juoditis, promotes something closer to the once saved always saved view, which is ultimately antinomian.  Gerety seems to hold to this view as well since he argued in private email messages that gambling, prostitution, and drug abuse do not need to be against the civil law since every region of America can decide for itself what laws should exist.  Gerety also disagreed with blue laws which closed businesses on Sunday to allow for sabbath observance by Christians who attend church on Sunday.  These laws also allowed for other religious adherents to attend the church or synagogue of their own preference.  When I was growing up my parents did not attend church, so we usually had family time together.

Something is lost when the morality of the Bible is no longer the guiding principle for our nation.  The current decadence of America in regards to the grooming of children in the public schools for the homosexual and transgender movement, including and up to giving kindergartners sex change operations, is unconscionable.  The use of brute force by the Democrat Party to overturn the Christian worldview in America seems to be working, as even the fake conservative megachurches have jumped on the social justice bandwagon.  Tim Keller is probably roasting in hell because he promoted homosexuality as just another minor sin.  Homosexuals pretend to be celibate in those churches until social norms can be uprooted and replaced by accommodation to the political left. 

Unless and until Evangelical Christians and their church leaders repent and politically oppose the apostasy of America, the situation will only grow worse.  In 1965 the situation was not yet as dire as it is today.  But if Canada and Europe is any indication, the United States of America is on the verge of making Christianity a state sponsored religion of the left and any political or theological dissidence will be severely punished.  The freedom of religion and the freedom of speech is under attack like never before.  The libertarians are only naively helping the Marxist and atheist takeover of America.  Although I do not think former President Donald Trump is a Christian or a moral person, he at least understands that the freedoms of the American people are being eroded by the left.  I for one wholehearted support his re-election in 2024.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate

 

GOD, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory, and the public good; and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.a

II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto:b in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth;c so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions.d

 

 

a Rom. 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. Ver. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Ver. 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: Ver. 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. 1 Pet. 2:13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Ver. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-loers, and for the praise of them that do well.

 

b Prov. 8:15. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Ver. 16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. Rom. 13:1, 2, 4. [See in letter a.]

 

c Psal. 2:10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.—Ver. 11. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Ver. 12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: blessed are all they that put their trust in him. 1 Tim. 2:2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Psal. 82:3. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Ver. 4. Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 2 Sam. 23:3.—The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 1 Pet. 2:13. [See in letter a.]

 

d Luke 3:14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages. Rom. 13:4. [See letter a.] Mat. 8:9. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man. Go, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and he cometh: and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Ver. 10. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Acts 10:1. There was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian Band, Ver. 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Rev. 17:14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Ver. 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

 

Westminster Assembly. The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition. Philadelphia: William S. Young, 1851. Print.