Salt and Light in America
Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from the preface of Biblical Patterns and Government. Cornell University Professor Barry Alan Shain has determined that rather than a generic republicanism or seventeenth…
David Hall
Magistrates Must Be Just
Charles Chauncy (1705-1787) was one of the most influential pastors in Boston during his life. He received his theological training at Harvard and served as pastor of First Church for…
Other Voices in the Chorus
Calvin’s and Beza’s thought was so fertile as to spawn many followers. Summaries of Ponet, Daneau, Hotman, and many others are worth consulting at any Inauguration. Another disciple who particularly…
The Federalist Papers: Calvin’s Echo Chamber
The popular Federalist Papers in many ways reflect the continuation of Calvin’s view of man and the state.[1] Alexander Hamilton began The Federalist Papers by asserting that the people of this country have…
Rounding Out Calvin’s Advice
Calvin’s discussion of Romans 13 began by explaining that all civil power originates with the sovereign God—not with man, as later secular schemes suggested. He then discussed the role of…
Limited Government, Beginning with the Family
Although some theologians claim to see discrepancies between Calvin’s early thought in The Institutes and his later commentaries and sermons on the matter of resistance, a review of his commentary…
The Need for Collegial Governing Mainstay or a Senate
Moses’ layered scheme, advised by his father in law in Exodus 18 seemed to Calvin and his disciples to be republicanism. Commenting on a similar passage in Deuteronomy 1:14-16, Calvin stated: “Hence…
Calvin on Republicanism—no, not the Party!
Rather than commending either a democracy or a monarchy, Jethro advised Moses and the people to select a plurality of prudent representative leaders (Exodus 18:21).[1] Moses instituted a graduated series…
Calvin’s Second Counsel: Leaders Responsible to the Constitution or Accountability
In a phrase that would become incendiary, Calvin noted that not only kings but also “people must sometimes take up arms to execute public vengeance” (4:20, 11). The same basis…
Calvin’s First, Very Augustinian Point: Human Imperfection Requires Order
Professor Harro Hopfl identifies the following three signatures of political Calvinism that would be timely if part of network coverage of the Inauguration of the new President: Calvin detested as much as…
Introduction to Calvin’s Texts for an Inaugural
Of course, I did not espouse a democracy or a Presidency in my lifetime. My disciples teased out the logic, however, of my thought and reached new positions. If one…
An Inaugural Diary from Calvin
Note: all quotes are from sources as noted. The only fictitious elements in these diary posts are to treat these as letters from John Calvin. I send greetings to…