RSSEntries from March 2007
The Covenant of Works and the State
One of the most helpful features of Darryl’s argument is that it strips away the last remnants of theocracy and gives us an opportunity to be more consistent with our theological confession. There was unresolved tension in our 17th-century confession between our view of redemptive history as expressed in our covenant theology (covenant of works [...]
Antithetical Cities?
Question:
Back in chapter 1: City on a Hill, Darryl wrote, “But as antithetical as the two cities were in Augustine’s mind, and as much as that antagonism might seperate believers from nonbelievers… (pg. 39).
I am confused by this reading of Augustine. In this age, can the two cities be understood as really antithetical? [...]
Biographical Note
A short biographical aside appears appropriate at this juncture. I am a lawyer and thus my approach to these matters has probably followed a somewhat different course than others (excepting perhaps Chellis). My curiosity began largely from sociological/legal interest in how people construct, adapt, modify, and deliver argument. Specifically, the various kinds of political arguments [...]
Kirk: For and Against the Natural Law
So far I have been accused of holding to high a view of the natural law and to low a view of it. I want to do justice to a proper view so will allow the venerable ghost of Kirk to speak. I appreciate Kirk’s view as it seems to me very close [...]
Who’s the Hauerwas now, huh?
Darryl, thanks for the props on Englishness. If you think about it, it’s not that weird that the Scots and Scots-Irish would be the British exceptionalists. Bad experiences with Cromwell notwithstanding, the Scottish and Scots-Irish comprise the survival of muscular puritanism in the three kingdoms. That puritanism was marked by both relentless reformation and by [...]
Is Self-Righteousness a Virtue?
Protestants at the time of the War for Independence and since have talked a lot about the need for a virtuous citizenry to protect this freedom-loving republic. The rhetoric of virtue has always made religion necessary to the health of the U.S. From George Washington to Jerry Falwell, the American religio-political tradition has [...]
Some Provisional Answers to Bill’s Questions
In commenting on my review of Darryl’s book, Bill Chellis asks,
I think that Darryl has a doctrine that makes Christianity applicable to politics. Darryl Hart is no heretic. He is no anabaptist. He affirms the soverign Kingship of Christ over both Kingdoms (one common and one holy). I am waiting to hear how, in [...]
Is the Religious Right Either? Michael LeFebvre
For years, I have been waiting for someone to write a book on, Why the Religious Right is Neither Religious nor Right. Though Darryl never asked my advice on titling his book, this work appears to fit the bill. Like brother Howe, I am still in the opening chapters (just finished ch4), but I am [...]
Modern Reformation Review of Secular Faith
The March/April edition of Modern Reformation includes a review of A Secular Faith. written by R. Scott Clark.
Scott is having technical difficulties so I had to post it. Thanks Scott.
The usefulness of Christianity for politics
I am still in the early chapters - sorry Darryl - due to some great developments in our Rhode Island church planting effort. A nice problem to have. I thought I’d throw in my two cents. I’m responding (half-consciously) to many previous posts and comments as I do so.
1. As someone steeped in the Redemptive-Historical/Vosian [...]