Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 20 of Book 4 by reading Chapters 1 to 13.
My summary
This week we start the final chapter of the work, which is on the civil government.
Firstly Calvin gives reasons for discussing the subject: 'For although this subject seems from its nature to be unconnected with the spiritual doctrine of faith, which I have undertaken to treat, it will appear as we proceed, that I have properly connected them, nay, that I am under the necessity of doing so, especially while, on the one hand, frantic and barbarous men are furiously endeavouring to overturn the order established by God, and, on the other, the flatterers of princes, extolling their power without measure, hesitate not to oppose it to the government of God.'
Secondly Calvin begins to treat each of the three parts of civil government (magistrates, laws, people). This week he defends the role of the magistrate.
We learn that the office of magistrate is:
(i) approved of by God;
(ii) responsible for upholding the two tables of the law (which includes the power to kill and tax).
What grabbed me
I was interested to read Calvin's theory on capital punishment: 'If all Christians are forbidden to kill, and the prophet predicts concerning the holy mountain of the Lord, that is, the Church, “They shall not hurt or destroy,” how can magistrates be at once pious and yet shedders of blood? But if we understand that the magistrate, in inflicting punishment, acts not of himself, but executes the very judgments of God, we shall be disencumbered of every doubt. The law of the Lord forbids to kill; but, that murder may not go unpunished, the Lawgiver himself puts the sword into the hands of his ministers, that they may employ it against all murderers. It belongs not to the pious to afflict and hurt; but to avenge the afflictions of the pious, at the command of God, is neither to afflict nor hurt.'
God is the one who ultimately authorises the killing of murderers, not man.
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 20 of Book 4.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment