Revolution or Reformation?

This week we consider the Christian's relationship to revolution. In the first reading, we ask how the Christian is to relate to the 'spirit of Revolution' embodied in the French Revolution (a movement that is still with us, bearing fruit in our own politics and society). Towards the end of the episode we consider Francis Schaeffer and Samuel Rutherford in their arguments for civil resistance to ungodly authority. Is it right to oppose the humanistic revolutionary spirit, if necessary, by force? These and other questions are given attention in this episode of the Magazine Podcast.

 

Featured Resources:

– Jan Freeke, 'The Life and Work of Groen van Prinsterer', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 430 (July 1999).

– D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 'The Christian and the State in Revolutionary Times', The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1987, 2024), pages 393–396.

– John Legg, 'The Christian and Revolution', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 247 (April 1984).

 

Further Reading:

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Christian and the State in Revolutionary Times

A helpful, sustained treatment of issues around Church and State, the Christian and the State, civil disobedience, and other related subjects (including capital punishment, revolution, and pacifism) can be found in Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones' treatment of Romans 13:1–7. This is published by the Trust in the Lloyd-Jones series as Volume 13: Life in Two Kingdoms and is also available freely in audio format from MLJ Trust.

 

About the Contributors:

Jan Freeke is a member of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland congregation in Glasgow.

D. M. Lloyd-Jones was the minister of Westminster Chapel, London, for 25 years and a noted evangelist and teacher. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones author page.

John David Legg (1936–2023) ministered in North Yorkshire (Reeth Congregational Church and Northallerton Evangelical Church) and in Shropshire (Shrewsbury Evangelical Church). Read John's obituary here.

 

 

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