Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/163

66 The state has its origin in man's pride and rebellion against God. Just as the Jews rejected the law of God by inviting Saul to rule over them, so the Christians later on rejected God by accepting the Donation of Constantine. And having its origin in sin, the state has become a tool of punishment. This is well illustrated in the records of King Solomon's rule who, in all the glory of his wisdom, brought terrible sufferings upon his people.

The state's existence may be justifiable as a "necessary evil" only for the pagans among whom it works as a plaster on an abscess" since, if thay had "no prince with a sword in his hands," there would be no justice, but a war of all people against all, and depravity and violence would be the general rule. However, the heathens knew not the teachings of Christ who tells us to love our neighbor and to do good to them that persecute us. And Christians? They must abstain from all violence:

Therefore a Christian. state is a contradiction in terms. For it is in the nature of the state to rule by coërcion and , I, chaps.XXVII (p.132*) and XC (p.253* f.); 1-Sam.8:4–20 and 12:18–19.

Chap. XXVII, p.132*; also pp.167*, 250*.

Chap.XXIX, p.138*; Hos. 13:9–11; pp.207*, 267*.

Chap. XXXV, p.156*; 1-Ki.12:11.

Chap. LX, p.205*

Chap. XL, p.169*