Civil government has three broad functions: protection, perfection, and provision of services.
The Noeic covenant establishes the common grace order and distinguishes between God's redemptive rule and natural order.
Conservative liberalism focuses on preserving the common grace order and protecting individual freedoms while promoting justice and preserving liberty.
Deep dives
The Purpose of Civil Government
Civil government has three broad functions: protection, perfection, and provision of services. The government's protectionist function is to uphold justice, punish wrongdoing, and protect the weak. The perfectionist function seeks to build virtue and morality in society, but it goes beyond the proper role of civil government. Finally, the government may provide services such as infrastructure development or healthcare, but caution should be exercised to prevent government overreach and the encroachment upon personal freedoms.
The Noeic Covenant and Political Theology
The Noeic covenant plays a crucial role in understanding political theology. It establishes the common grace order, where civil government upholds justice and preserves peace. The covenant also distinguishes between God's redemptive rule and His natural order. This distinction emphasizes the accountability of civil government without imposing a distinctively Christian agenda. The responsibility of Christians in political communities is to actively participate while recognizing the commonality of their vocation with their unbelieving neighbors.
Conservative Liberalism and the Biblical Parameters
The vision under the Noeic covenant aligns with the framework of conservative liberalism. In this context, conservatism emphasizes the preservation of the common grace order and the limited role of civil government. Liberalism refers to the protection of individual freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. This conservative liberalism is not explicitly derived from Scripture but is compatible with biblical principles, such as the responsibility to promote justice and preserve liberty.
The Importance of Advancing the Purposes of Political Communities
The podcast explores the idea that the purpose of political communities, as established in the Noeic Covenant, is to advance the preservation of the present world until the return of Christ. It emphasizes the need for Christians to be involved in promoting what is good in their political communities, but not with the aim of realizing Christ's everlasting kingdom. Instead, the focus should be on the preservation of peace and justice, enabling the church to do its work.
The Compatibility of Conservative Liberalism with the Wisdom of the Ages
The podcast highlights the core principles of conservative liberalism, including pluralism, tolerance, and the wisdom of the ages. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that law emerges from multiple sources in society and that legal polycentrism promotes a healthy civil order. By valuing institutions beyond just government, Christians can contribute to the flourishing of society and not solely rely on political solutions. The podcast encourages Christians not to become obsessed with politics and elections, but to faithfully serve the Lord in various vocations and trust in His sovereignty.
Any Christian trying to formulate a political theology cannot afford to ignore the impressive work done by David VanDrunen over the past decade. In this long-ish interview, Kevin asks Dave about two kingdoms theology, natural law, the purpose of government, and the importance of the Noahic Covenant. Stick around and you'll also learn what VanDrunen means by "conservative liberalism" and "legal polycentrism." You'll also hear what Kevin and Dave would do (or not do) if they were starting a Presbyterian colony on Mars.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:30 Politics after Christendom
16:45 Covenants and Reformed Theology
31:10 Sponsor Break | Crossway
32:00 Does Christ Redeem Political Institutions?
36:00 Responding to Criticism
43:10 A Presbyterian Colony on Mars?
55:00 Does Government Protect, Perfect, or Provide?
