#general equity

[37q-archive]

i just hate manarchism and while i know nazis deserve the worst of the worst i just cant imagine manarchists wouldnt hurl misogynistic and homophobic insults at each other after there are no nazis left to kill. like you can attack the self esteem and psychological security of the worst human imaginable without letting that assault perpetuate power structures that are sisters to capitalism.

[confessingbaptist]

The ‘Theonomy Debate.’ Joel McDurmon v. JD Hall debate “Are Mosaic civil laws are obligatory for civil governments today” that took place on Feb, 20, 2015 is now on YouTube:

2 Hour 25 minute video:

 Related:

James White on Theonomy, Reformation Day, “Can homosexuals be saved?”, Islam + Never before seen “Witnessing to Mormons” Seminar from 1994 [Dividing Line Audio & Video]

James White vs. Bob Enyart “Open Theism Debate” now online [Video]

James White vs. Shadid Lewis Debate [VIDEO] “Is Jesus God Almighty Most High?”

[confessingbaptist]

Last week Grace Family Baptist Church met to discuss this year’s “Semper Reformanda Conference” theme of “Religion & Politics.”

The lineup included Dr. Voddie Baucham, Dr. Bruce Shortt, Dr. Steven Branson, Texas Ag. Commissioner Todd Staples, and State Rep. David Simpson. They addressed issues such as: The Moral Law and the Public Square; What are Christians to Do in History; the Sovereignty of God and Human Authority; and more. You can watch the archived messages below:

Grace Family Baptist Church is thankful to be able to offer this live-stream of the 2014 Semper Reformanda conference to our online guests for free. Please consider making a donation to help us fund this effort in the future. You can donate by visiting: http://ift.tt/1vnV1JS

WATCH:

Border Security Part 1 – Bob Price [Pre-Conference]

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Border Security Part 2 – Bob Price [Pre-Conference]

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“Sovereignty of God and Human Authority: Romans 13″ – Dr. Voddie Baucham

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“A Christian Response to Current Political Issues” – Dr. Steven Branson

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“Homosexuality Is Not the New Black” – Dr. Voddie Baucham

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“What Are Christians to Do In History: John Knox, the British Reformation, and Oliver Cromwell” – Dr. Bruce Shortt

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“Beyond the Rhetoric: Applying Biblical Truth to the Homosexual Debate” – Dr. Voddie Baucham

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Roundtable Discussion: Dr. Steven Branson, Dr. Bruce Shortt Texas Agg. Comm. Todd Staples, Rep. David Simpson, Dr. Voddie Baucham

 Related:

Oct. 17-18, 2014 ‘Religion & Politics’ Semper Reformanda Conference feat. Voddie Baucham + more in Klein, TX

Can’t make Semper Reformanda 2014? Livestream it here! [Oct. 17-18]

Oct.18-19, 2013 “What Is Islam?” Semper Reformanda Conference Feat. James White & Voddie Baucham in Spring, TX.

[confessingbaptist]

Brandon Adams

[Here is one of the post that we talked a little about on yesterday's Dunker Bunker Podcast]

Brandon Adams, over at Reformed Libertarian, writes:

WCF 19.4:

  To them also, as a body politic, He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging under any now, further than the general equity thereof may require.

  Many reformed Christians today, who have grown tired of today’s moral relativism, turn to WCF 19.4 in an effort to develop a political philosophy. The Law of God, they say, must be our only standard. We must follow God’s law, or man’s law. And God has given a rather detailed list of how that law applies to states in the Mosaic Law. Of course, those laws were particular to Israel, but if we change the details, the laws are still God’s ideal for states. So, we exchange language about the land of Canaan for the land of California, and “voilla!” we’re left with the “general equity” of any give Mosaic law.

The problem, however, is that is not the meaning of WCF 19.4. The 2nd London Baptist Confession helpfully phrases it slightly differently:

  To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use. *1 Cor. 9:8-10

  LBCF clarifies that judicial laws do not oblige anyone by virtue of their being part of the Mosaic law. It is only their general equity that is of broadly moral use. But if general equity does not mean swapping “California” for “Canaan”, what does it mean?

  John Calvin

The confession’s position followed Calvin, and others.

  It is a fact that the law of God which we call the moral law is nothing else than a testimony of natural law and of that conscience which God has engraved upon the minds of men. Consequently, the entire scheme of this equity of which we are now speaking has been prescribed in it. Hence, this equity alone must be the goal and rule and limit of all laws. (Institutes IV.xx.15-16)

  Dr. Richard Barcellos

Richard Barcellos adds:

  The equity that an old covenant judicial law might possess does not come from the particular old covenant judicial law itself. It is simply an application of moral/natural/universal law to Israel’s unique, covenantally conditioned national life. So, there may be principles in particular old covenant judicial laws that transcend the old covenant. But the temporary law does not establish what constitutes equity. It is a unique illustration/application of it. Hence, the equity predates and even transcends the old covenant.

  The general equity was the moral law that the judicial laws, unique to Israel, were based on. Thus it is the moral law that continues to be of use. The judicial laws only help provide us with specific examples of how the moral law was applied to Israel. Therefore, we do not reason from Canaan to California (1 step), but from Canaan to moral law to California (2 steps).

This can be better understood by recognizing the distinction between positive law and moral law…

Read 1 Cor 5:13 is the general equity of Deut 22:21

 Related:

Theonomy, Christian Reconstruction, and the 1689 [Audio]

Clarification on the Mosaic Covenant and Eternal Life [Brandon Adams]

Pink & NCT, Circumcision, the Mosaic Covenant, Republication + Owen & other posts related to our last two podcasts [Brandon Adams]