25-0528wc Transcript

Teacher: Scott Reynolds

(0:04) All right, we’re on lesson nine of the Truth Project. (0:09) We’re going to start talking about the state, (0:12) and specifically, whose law. (0:15) In the introduction, I paraphrased a quote (0:20) that Del has in the beginning that I wanted (0:23) to bring to your attention.

(0:25) Del will say that this tour conflicts many, (0:30) and this is where many find out that they have been (0:33) taken captive by the world. (0:38) When we think about the nature of the state (0:41) and what the state’s all about. (0:43) So in this one, we’re going to talk about the state.

(0:46) And the state actually deals with politics, government, (0:51) and law, holds immense power to shape society for good or ill. (0:58) And in this lesson, lesson nine, the state (1:01) whose law Del Tackett explores the state’s design, (1:05) its limits, and the dangers of overstepping (1:08) its God-given boundaries. (1:11) Rooted in scripture, this lesson challenges (1:13) us to rethink the state’s role in light of God’s sovereignty.

(1:20) Tackett begins with a question, can the state steal? (1:25) And in that discussion, he makes an observation (1:30) if someone can steal something, that implies ownership. (1:36) There’s ownership of property. (1:39) So the question is, can the state steal? (1:43) And stories like Ahab’s theft of Naboth’s vineyard (1:48) in 1 Kings 21, and Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling (1:53) in Daniel 4 show that rulers are not above the law, (1:57) not above God’s law.

(2:00) Human governments prone to error must (2:02) be held accountable to a higher ethical standard (2:07) to avoid wreaking havoc. (2:10) Prone Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines law and politics (2:14) as tools to preserve morals, a view rarely held today, (2:20) but critical to understanding the state’s purpose. (2:24) So the scripture reveals the state (2:27) as God’s delegate, armed with the sword (2:30) to punish evil and condone good, Romans 13, 1 through 6. (2:36) And like the son’s submission to the father, (2:39) the state is subject to God’s authority.

(2:42) Kings and magistrates rule as representatives, not (2:47) autonomous powers. (2:49) When they forget this, as King Uzziah (2:53) did by crossing into the priestly sphere, (2:56) 2 Chronicles chapter 26, judgment follows. (3:01) In sphere sovereignty, he touches (3:03) on where you have distinct roles for the different social (3:08) spheres, you have distinct roles for family, church, (3:13) and state, ensures balance, preventing tyranny.

(3:17) And I’m not going to read the rest of this, (3:19) because we’ll get into that next week, where he starts talking (3:22) a little bit about delegation. (3:25) So with that, let me start the video. (3:32) OK, I’m not going to stop here.

(3:34) We’ll pick up here next time.