The purpose of this FGB is to provoke you to think biblically about the subject of the church and state. You will hear from Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Particular (Reformed) Baptists—all of them struggling to answer church/state questions from the Word of God. We begin with Chapter 24 of the 1677/89 Second London Baptist Confession: “Of the Civil Magistrate.” Jean-Marc Berthoud explains two types of power: the magistrate and the church. John Calvin declares that God has ordained civil magistrates for humanity’s good. Pierre Viret discusses the three major forms of government: monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy—which is best? R. C. Sproul explains that the essence of civil government is force. Is government authority absolute? H. Rondel Rumburg argues that it is delegated, not absolute power. He also discusses the Social Contract Theory. Christopher Goodman examines true obedience when facing civil or religious oppression. The important doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates has been forgotten by modern believers as well as unbelievers; but Matthew Trewhella teaches us its biblical importance. Building upon that doctrine, which the Reformers and Puritans held, we have extraordinary examples of it in the Magdeburg Confession, John Knox, and Isaac Backus—Lutherans, a Presbyterian Reformer, and a Baptist! Finally, Samuel Davies tells us about the greatest King—Jesus Christ; and he takes us by the hand to show us the glories of Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus rules over all the kings and kingdoms of men. He alone is King of kings and Lord of lords!
