1988 Issue 10
God called his covenant people to conquer and occupy the land of Canaan, building there a godly civilization according to his word. He put a promise with this command. that, as they were faithful to him, he would bless their efforts with success.
In 1:18-21 Israel shows her lack of faith in God's promise in the midst of a difficult situation, which led to her failure. In 1:27-28 her unfaithfulness to God's law is seen in her attempted compromise with the enemies of God. This was a fatal mistake leading to future failures in Israel, Judges 2:2.
A couple of years ago, as many of you may remember, we were offering a book entitled Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (A Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants). We distributed several dozen copies at that time. When the special price from the publisher expired, we no longer offered the book.
Recently, in listening to the outstanding taped series of lectures, America: The First 350 Years, by Steve Wilkins of Forest, Mississippi, learned that Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (probably written around 1579) was highly influential in the thinking of the founding fathers of the United States. I also discovered some comments by R.J. Rushdoony in reference to this work.
Columbus was the first to see in the New World, finally giving up his hopes for passage to the Indies, a land representing the gates of Eden itself. His report was but the first of the images of a land of all but workless plenty. Exploring the Carolina coast a century after Columbus, Captain Arthur Barlowe found himself in the midst of such "incredible" fruitfulness that he was certain it was the "golden age" intact--a land where "the earth bringeth forth all things in abundance, as in the first creation, without toil or labor." Later when Captain John Smith undertook a careful mapping of the New England coast he was convinced that three days work a week would satisfy any settler in that fruitful land, much of that time spent in the "pretty sport" of fishing.
This chapter is a scathing and satirical attack on idolatry and an outstanding testimony of the supremacy and incomparability of the God of the Bible.
It also clarifies the inclusivity and exclusivity of the Biblical Religion. It is inclusive in that it embraces the entirety of life in its promises and laws; and it embraces any and all who surrender to its content and its Savior in faith and repentance. It is exclusive in that it alone is the true religion from the one true God, with the only true interpretation of life in this universe.
What is Calvinism? Or the Confession of Faith in Harmony with the Bible and Common Sense. In a series of dialogues between a Presbyterian minister and a young convert. Dialogue XX, Biblical Presbyterianism.
