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When the Reformed and Lutheran scholastics talked about God’s moral law (lex moralis), they taught that there are three basic uses of the law (usus legis). They are:
1) The civil use (usus politicus sive civilis). That is, the law serves the commonwealth or body politic as a force to restrain sin. This falls under the general revelation (revelatio generalis) discussion in most of the scholastics as well as natural law (cf. Rom 1-2).
2) The pedagogical use (usus elenchticus sive paedagogicus). That is, the law also shows people their sin and points them to mercy and grace outside of themselves. In Muller’s summary, this is “the use of the law for the confrontation and refutation of sin and for the purpose of pointing the way to Christ” (p. 320). This can be found in the Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Days 2-4.
3) The normative use (usus didacticus sive normativus). That is, this use of the law is for those who trust in Christ and have been saved through faith apart from works. It “acts as a norm of conduct, freely accepted by those in whom the grace of God works the good” (p. 321). This can be found in the Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Days 32-52.
Originally posted by pthena
If I didn't think you were Anglican, I would have thought you were Lutheran.
Romans 13
4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Paul says that they --ARE-- servants and agents of God, another definite statement that is very clear.
Are these two statements true today or not?
If so, why did the governing authorities not bring punishment on the bankers after 2008? Was what they did not wrong?
P.S. The Westminster Confession is not Anglican.
It belongs to the Kirk of Scotland, ye ken?
You're thinking of the 39 Articles (Article 37)
Originally posted by 3NL1GHT3N3D1
reply to post by borntowatch
According to scripture, everything the government does is for your good.
The Patriot Act? That's for your protection.
The NSA illegally spying on you? For your safety.
The Federal Reserve? Working to keep money in YOUR pocket.
Citizens United? Upheld so that YOUR voice can be heard, not corporations.
Make sense? I didn't think so.
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Originally posted by AfterInfinity
reply to post by RealTruthSeeker
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
When he comes down to claim his property, then we'll talk.
Romans 13
For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13
2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.