On Civil Government

16 contributors represent four positions on the biblical role of civil government. Originally delivered at a consultation on that topic, each of the four major papers is presented by a leading representative of that view and is followed by responses from the three other perspectives. The result is a vigorous exchange of ideas aimed at pinpointing areas of agreement and disagreement and equipping God's people to serve him more effectively in the political arena.

This is the first book to provide comprehensive coverage of the full range of philosophical writing in Britain in the eighteenth century. A team of experts provide new accounts of both major and lesser-known thinkers, and explores the diverse approaches in the period to logic and metaphysics, the passions, morality, criticism, and politics.

Publisher Description

The Second Treatise is one of the most important political treatises ever written and one of the most far-reaching in its influence. In his provocative 15-page introduction to this edition, the late eminent political theorist C. B. Macpherson examines Locke's arguments for limited, conditional government, private property, and right of revolution and suggests reasons for the appeal of these arguments in Locke's time and since.

"This book deserves careful attention. In it Culver faces up to a large cluster of important problematics which confront contemporary evangelical thinkers. It is basically a biblicaly study on the meaning of civil government. But the author also moves freely into the areas of historical and systematic theology as well as social and political theory . . . . he surveys in some depth and in an ordered sequence biblical teachings on the task of the state from the Genesis narratives through the successive epochs of biblical revelation to the New Testament epistles. In a sustained way he seeks to draw out some of the implications of these teachings for political life today . . . . In erudition this work may be ranked with the best in evangelical scholarship." -- Prof. Gordon Spykman Calvin College"A carefully worked out, biblically conservative statement on politics and government; this is an excellent presentation . . . . the author lines up his evidence and support with admirable consistency." -- Christian Century"In a lucid, well-organized fashion he traces out the Old and New Testament teaching on civil government and presents it as an aspect of God's creative and providential handiwork." -- Prof. Richard V. Pierard Indiana State University

Jacque Ellul blends politics, theology, history, and exposition in this analysis of the relationship between political anarchy and biblical faith. While he clarifies the views of each and how they can be related, his aim is not to proselytize either anarchists into Christianity or Christians into anarchy. On the one hand, suggests Ellul, anarchists need to understand that much of their criticism of Christianity applies only to the form of religion that developed, not to biblical faith. Christians, on the other hand, need to look at the biblical texts and not reject anarchy as a political option, for it seems closest to biblical thinking. After charting the background of his own interest in the subject, Ellul defines what he means by anarchy: the nonviolent repudiation of authority. He goes on to look at the Bible as the source of anarchy (in the sense of nondomination, not disorder), working through Old Testament history, Jesus' ministry, and finally the early church's view of power as reflected in the New Testament writings.