Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Ideal Republic
What is the ideal republic of the Hebrew Bible? Or of the Bible as a whole?
1. Sodom and Gomorrah. Definitely not the ideal, the opposite of the ideal. Cities full of unrighteousness--and God destroys them. So the ideal republic will be full of righteousness. And this perhaps will be the goal of it. But how to achieve that?
2. Empire. The end point of the prophets is an Israel that conquers and subdues its neighbors, its enemies, the enemies of the LORD, and establishes an empire on earth. In this empire, people worship the LORD, the law of the LORD is known, and obeyed, and there is righteousness on earth.
3. Are there any of the features of liberal government? Self-government? Constitutionally limited government--enforced by courts? Personal liberties? How do you keep government from harming? Independence? (This is the only one I can see.) Large area of personal responsibility? (Perhaps) Government that protects person and property? (Yes)
1. Sodom and Gomorrah. Definitely not the ideal, the opposite of the ideal. Cities full of unrighteousness--and God destroys them. So the ideal republic will be full of righteousness. And this perhaps will be the goal of it. But how to achieve that?
2. Empire. The end point of the prophets is an Israel that conquers and subdues its neighbors, its enemies, the enemies of the LORD, and establishes an empire on earth. In this empire, people worship the LORD, the law of the LORD is known, and obeyed, and there is righteousness on earth.
3. Are there any of the features of liberal government? Self-government? Constitutionally limited government--enforced by courts? Personal liberties? How do you keep government from harming? Independence? (This is the only one I can see.) Large area of personal responsibility? (Perhaps) Government that protects person and property? (Yes)
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