Reprise: Francis Schaeffer's Manifesto
Mainstream Baptist printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 12:30:42 PM EST
Francis Schaeffer is widely credited with being the most influential person in leading evangelical Christians to oppose abortion.  Many, however, are unaware of how instrumental he was in moving evangelical Christians toward political action and in motivating some Christian Reconstructionists toward civil disobedience (sometimes violent).

Here's some of the pertinent documentation from Francis Schaeffer's call for political action in his A Christian Manifesto.  In a chapter on "The Limits of Civil Disobedience," Schaeffer sets forth the Scottish theocratic revolutionaries John Knox and Samuel Rutherford as his models.  He quotes Jasper Ridley's appraisal of Knox's thought, "The theory of the justification of revolution is Knox's special contribution to theological and political thought."  Then Schaeffer writes (emphasis mine),
   

"Whereas Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin had reserved the right to rebellion to the civil rulers alone, Knox went further.  He maintained that the common people had the right and duty to disobedience and rebellion if state officials ruled contrary to the Bible.  To do otherwise would be rebellion against God." (p.97)

Schaeffer credits Knox's "theory of the justification of revolution" with planting the seeds that were later nurtured by men like Samuel Rutherford who wrote Lex Rex.  Here's Schaeffer's analysis of Rutherford's thought (emphasis mine):

Rutherford argued that Romans 13 indicates that all power is from God and that government is ordained and instituted by God.  The state, however, is to be administered according to the principles of God's Law.  Acts of the state which contradict God's Law were illegitimate and acts of tyranny.  Tyranny was defined as ruling without the sanction of God. (p. 100)

Then Schaeffer itemizes several of the arguments that Rutherford used to establish the right and duty to resist an "unlawful government" and leads to that chapter's exciting conclusion (emphasis mine):
   

Rutherford offered suggestions concerning illegitimate acts of the state.  A ruler, he wrote, should not be deposed merely because he commits a single breach of the compact he has with the people.  Only when the magistrate acts in such a way that the governing structure of a country is being destroyed - that is, when he is attacking the fundamental structure of society - is he to be relieved of his power and authority.
    That is exactly what we are facing today.  The whole structure of our society is being attacked and destroyed.  It is being given an entirely opposite base which gives exactly the opposite results.  The reversal is much more total and destructive than that which Rutherford or any of the Reformers faced in their day. (p.101-2)
   
These words were not written in the twenty-first century as our country is led by men who launch pre-emptive wars, suspend the constitution, engage in domestic spying, detain people without benefit of trial, violate the Geneva Conventions and justify torturing prisoners.  These words were written in the early 1980's, as Ronald Reagan was beginning his Presidency.

 The next chapter in Schaeffer's book is entitled, "The Use of Civil Disobedience" and in it he discusses the use of force.  He writes (emphasis mine):

When discussing force it is important to keep an axiom in mind:  always before protest or force is used, we must work for reconstruction.  In other words, we should attempt to correct and rebuild society before we advocate tearing it down or disrupting it. (p. 106)

Then Schaeffer goes on to describe a situation in which there may be no other effective protest than civil disobedience (Italics are Schaeffer's):

The problem in relation to a state public school system is not just an abstract possibility.  As I write, a case of undue entanglement and interference is in the courts in a situation that corresponds exactly to Samuel Rutherford's concept of the proper procedure for a corporate body to resist.
    The state of Arkansas has passed a law allowing creation to be taught in the public schools.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is trying to have this law revoked, saying it violates the separation of church and state.
    Here is a clear case fitting Rutherford's criteria.  The State of Arkansas has passed a law.  The courts are being used by the ACLU to try to nullify a state law which has the support of the original meaning of the First Amendment.  The ACLU is arguing its case based on a certain concept of the separation of church and state.  But it must be stressed that this concept is entirely new and novel from the viewpoint of the original intent of the First Amendment and the total intent of the Founding Fathers.  This new separation concept is a product of the recent humanist dominance in the United States and is being used in this case to destroy the power of a properly elected state legislature's "sovereign" ruling.
    The ACLU is acting as the arm of the humanist consensus to force its view on the majority of the Arkansas state officials.
    If there was ever a clearer example of the lower "magistrates" being treated with tyranny, it would be hard to find.  And this would be a time, if the appeal courts finally rule tyrannically, for the state government to protest and refuse to submit.  This fits Rutherford's proper procedures exactly. (pp. 109-110)

Schaeffer's next chapter is entitled, "The Use of Force."  It begins with these words,

There does come a time when force, even physical force, is appropriate.  The Christian is not to take the law into his own hands and become a law unto himself.  But when all avenues of flight and protest have closed, force in the defensive posture is appropriate. (p.  117)

Schaeffer goes on to encourage Christians to get involved politically and exercise political force.  He contends that he is "in no way talking about any kind of theocracy." (p. 120)  He adds,

We must not confuse the kingdom of God with our country.  To say it another way:  "We should not wrap Christianity in our national flag."
    None of this, however, changes the fact that the United States was founded upon a Christian consensus, nor that we today should bring Judeo-Christian principles into play in regard to government.  But that is very different from a theocracy in name or in fact.  (p. 121)

Schaeffer is not fully in the Christian Reconstructionist camp.  Neither does he seem to be a "Christian Nationalist."  Rather, he appears to be advocating the establishment of a majoritarian religion in each state.   Doing so, however, requires "strict constructionist", "state's rights" interpretations of the Constitution that ignore the influence of the 14th amendment on our jurisprudence since the civil war.  




Display:
I like to call Schaeffer the "inadvertant father" of Protestant dominionism, since he developed his theories at the same time as the father of Reconstructionism, Rousas John Rushdoony. It was people like LaHaye and Falwell who belnded the two theological streams.

= = = The Public Eye: Website of Political Research Associates
Chip's Blog
= = =

by Chip Berlet on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 01:24:28 PM EST
Schaeffer would definitely disapprove and strongly condemn the anti-abortion violence committed by Christian Reconstructionists.  

He was advocating picketting and other non-violent kinds of civil disobedience against abortion.

Schaeffer was encouraging escalations of protest that could easily get out of hand.  His example about the ACLU, the courts, and creationism is the same precise scenario that Roy Moore has been creating with his 10 commandments monument.  

If Moore gets elected Governor of Alabama and then refuses to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling on the ten commandments monument, he has created the potentially violent confrontation between federal power and state power that Schaeffer was advocating.

We've been through this before.


by Mainstream Baptist on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 01:54:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]



Schaeffer would probably bristle at anti-abortion terrorism, but is it any coincidence three of his most ardent followers are Randall Terry, Rob Schenck and James Kopp? (Kopp stayed at L'Abri while Terry and Schenck studied Schaeffer at Elim Bible Insititute).

by Max Blumenthal on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 10:15:19 PM EST

I knew about Schenck and Terry.

I missed Kopp's connection.

by Mainstream Baptist on Thu Feb 23, 2006 at 08:03:04 AM EST



WWW Talk To Action


Some Things Don't Change
This is a reprise of a piece I originally posted on May 16, 2007,titled: When Common Ground Means Capitulation -- to Falwell. It was......
By Frederick Clarkson (10 comments)
Adopting Bias: New Va. Rules Seek To Safeguard 'Faith-Based' Bigotry
Legislators and media pundits in Washington, D.C., continue to obsess over the birth control mandate in the new health care law and whether church-related......
By Rob Boston (4 comments)
GOP Candidates Embrace a Major Religious Right Narrative
Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney's demagogic claims that President Obama is engaged in a "war against religion" are as unsurprising as they are disturbing.......
By Frederick Clarkson (5 comments)
NAR Apostle Harold Caballeros Heads Guatemala Foreign Ministry
In January 2012, with the inauguration of former military general Otto Pérez Molina as Guatemala's president, NAR apostle Harold Caballeros took charge of Guatemala's......
By Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
As Eddie Long Controversy Grows, Video Emerges of 'Rabbi' Messer Wrapping Paula White in Torah
A Christian Post article dated February 5 is one of many reports of denials by televangelist Paula White and her attorney of any ties......
By Rachel Tabachnick (10 comments)
Garlow Introduced Gingrich, Called for Pastors Revolt Against IRS Rules at NAR Church in Nevada
On Friday night Newt Gingrich spoke at the "Prayer for America" event at the International Church of Las Vegas (ICLV) led by Apostle Paul......
By Rachel Tabachnick (3 comments)
A Must Read Book: "The Good News Club"
For anyone who wants to read a book that really goes inside the movement to indoctrinate children through our public schools, I highly recommend......
By Chris Rodda (3 comments)
More On Yale's Templeton-Funded "Spiritual Capital Initiative"
Should Chick-Fil-A be known for its extensive ties to, and funding of, some of the most aggressively anti-gay groups in America, as well as......
By Bruce Wilson (4 comments)
Gettting Well Versed
Michelle Boorstein at The Washington Post's "Under God" blog reports that Faithful America's petition calling for Kansas House Speaker Michael O'Neal to resign now......
By Frederick Clarkson (3 comments)
Alabama State Senator: Pay Increases for Teachers are Against 'Biblical Principle'
This is a new twist on "biblical economics" that I've not heard before.  According to Alabama State Sen. Shadrack McGill, a 62% pay increase......
By Rachel Tabachnick (5 comments)
Wagner Recognized by Delaware House for Commissioning Apostles (Copy of Tribute Included)
This morning I contacted the offices of Rep. Daniel B. Short and Chief Clerk of the House Richard Puffer and confirmed that C. Peter......
By Rachel Tabachnick (7 comments)
Trial Date Set for Bishop Finn
The trial date for Bishop Robert W. Finn,of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri will be September 24, 2012.  Finn and the diocese......
By Frank Cocozzelli (3 comments)
The Culture of Demonization and Imprecatory Prayer
We have written a great deal here at Talk to Action about the Religious Right culture of conspiracy theory, labeling and demonization as animating......
By Frederick Clarkson (3 comments)
To Bigotry No Sanction, to Persecution No Assistance
As the finale of our extended celebration of Religious Freedom Day, we are honored to welcome George Washington as a guest front pager.  ......
By George Washington (0 comments)
George Barna and the New Apostolic Reformation
Given the secretive nature of the movement, documenting the involvement of public figures in C. Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation can be a time-consuming......
By Bruce Wilson (2 comments)

Harold Caballeros, October 5, 2006, #1
On October 5, 2006, Harold Cabballeros, founder and senior pastor of El Shaddai Church in Guatemala City, spoke at the "Spirit in the World: The Dynamics of Pentecostal Growth and Experience" symposium sponsored by......
Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Truth Wins Out Reports on Exodus International's Attempt at Rebranding
An extensive report has been posted at Truth Wins Out (TWO) on the rebranding of Exodus International, the discredited and financially strapped pray-away-the-gay organization. The report is titled "The Exodus SmokeScreen" and subtitled, "Exodus......
Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
Breast cancer awareness T-shirt prompts dispute at skating rink
crossposted from The Clarion Ledger) http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202040 349 ""I am offended as a mother; as the daughter of a cancer patient; as a Christian woman; as a fundraiser and donor of time and money to......
COinMS (0 comments)
Delaware state house Dems distance themselves from Wagner tribute
The Democrats in the Delaware state House of Representatives are in full damage control mode over a tribute given back in January to C. Peter Wagner, a prominent leader of the New Apostolic......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Is Peter Wagner lying about commendation from state of Delaware?
Those of us who have watched the New Apostolic Reformation have come to expect bizarre claims.  Well, today  C. Peter Wagner made one of the most bizarre claims yet.  He sent out an......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
New dominionist effort to target Hollywood with prayer
In yet more proof that the New Apostolic Reformation is trying to make itself heard in a big way this year, late yesterday several leaders of that movement got together to announce a......
Christian Dem in NC (0 comments)
Santorum Accuses Colleges of Anti-Religious "Indoctrination" But Gingrich Said it First
CBS and other media outlets have pounced on a Rick Santorum claim, that America's colleges and universities are hotbeds of anti-religious "indoctrination", but Newt Gingrich has been saying that for years. As Santorum declared......
Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
Leader of NC gay marriage ban effort, in his own words
cross-posted at dKos One of the leaders of the effort to write a gay marriage ban into North Carolina's constitution is Patrick Wooden, the pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ in......
Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
AFA endorses AIDS denialism
If Public Policy Polling's early numbers are accurate (and there's little reason to doubt they are) Newt Gingrich will likely take the lead in national polling this week.  In light of this, there's......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Family Research Council chaplain openly calls for non-Christians to be banned from public office
Anyone who's studied the religious right can't help but notice a pattern to how they've operated over the last three decades.  They get a little bit of power, only to overreach and get smacked......
Christian Dem in NC (4 comments)
Cindy Jacobs prophecies divine intervention unless we elect Repubs
Late last week, New Apostolic Reformation "prophetess" Cindy Jacobs announced the yearly "Word of the Lord" from the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders.  (h/t to PFAW's Right Wing Watch). This "Word" makes for......
Christian Dem in NC (3 comments)
Robert Jeffress: First Amendment protections invite wrath of God
We already knew that the religious right would like nothing better than to sweep away the First Amendment.  Well, one of its more prominent leaders just came out and said it in terms as......
Christian Dem in NC (3 comments)
Cindy Jacobs announces 2012 prayer initiative--and declares war on separation of church and state
Late last night, Cindy Jacobs announced the formation of a major prayer drive with the goal of influencing the election.  The campaign, called "FastForward," is sponsored by her newly formed United States Reformation Prayer......
Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
Personhood returns
Having soundly been defeated at the ballot box, the Personhood initiative in Mississippi has been resurrected via the new governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant and his allies in the state government. For the first......
COinMS (0 comments)
Exposing The Dark Side Of Tupelo MS
It’s really ironic that the so-called Christian Religious Right (ie., AFA) are seemingly dedicated to the unnecessary bashing of Paganism when Pagans made such a well-documented historical contribution toward the rise of Christianity. For......
AlBratt (0 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC. Powered by Scoop