Calvins Unique Theocracy Essays - Calvinism, Forms Of Government

Calvin's Unique Theocracy When we think of a theocracy, we usually think of a political system, governed and legislated by a religious body with religious beliefs. For the most part this is true. Historically, theocratic governments have successfully existed throughout the world, from ancient Egypt to modern Middle-Eastern Islamic states. For centuries even the Christian Church enjoyed a theocratic diversity which encompassed most of the civilized world. As well, the unprecedented spread of Islam has seeded new theocracies at a tremendous rate. Most theocratic governments had one thing in common, however; their political ideologies did not just originate from the church, they were the church. Church leaders were the political leaders. Typically, a strong theocracy was one with a superior church hierarchy in which the political system was deeply entrenched. But not all theocratic structures were intended to be this way. In Chapter XX of his masterpiece The Institutes on Christian Piety, John Calvin logically o utlined his view of a theocracy. Consistent with his scripture-based reasoning, Calvin eloquently described how civil and ecclesiastical governments were different, yet uniquely related. In his classic reformation style, Calvin metaphorically compared Catholic to Protestant theology by framing his theocracy not on the church as the government, but rather he separated civil government from spiritual government into a divinely ordained, segregated Protestant theocracy. Subtlety expressed and masterfully executed, Chapter XX is dripping with figurative language, suggesting that Calvin went to great lengths to insure that his distaste for the Catholic papacy would not go unnoticed. The first third of Chapter XX concentrates on the duties and responsibilities of the magistrate. This after two opening sections which clearly divide government into two parts, and then claim these parts not to be antithetical. Indeed such a preamble is necessary since the remainder of the document is to be a separation, yet cross-self-reliance on these parts. Calvin made no attempt to separate local, regional, or national magistracy. In fact, most of the scripture references are Old Testament passages which refer to either the kings of Judah, or other post-king patriarchs. The main focus on the magistrate "is that they have a mandate from God, have been invested with divine authority, and are wholly God's representatives." In addition, God has "entrusted to them" the authority "of exercising judgement not for man but for God." This sounds very theocratic. However, no where did Calvin mention the source of this divine position to be the church. Rather he asserted, quoting Psalms 2:12 , that the magistrate should "kiss the Son of God" yet not lay aside their authority. With this he follows, "By these words he entrusts the condition of the church to their protection and care." Calvin clearly separates the church from directly engaging in the politics related to the office of the magistrate. By assigning to the church the responsibility of caring for the magistrate, Calvin allows the church to be associated with government while not actually becoming part of the government, as his Catholic adversaries did. Beyond divine appointment, however, Calvin also outlines the duties of the magistrate in a way which uniquely joins the government to God. Calvin continued his blend of civil and spiritual government through a discourse on the duties of the magistrate, issues of war, and the levying of taxes. On the duties of the magistrate, for example, he returns to the question of divine appointment. "And that their sole endeavor" Calvin asserts "should be to provide for the common safety and peace of all." Continuing, he states that, "in administering punishment, [the magistrate] does nothing by himself, but carries out the very judgements of God ." In this, Calvin begins to solidify his argument concerning the divine nature of the magistracy. It is no coincidence, however, that he includes no reference which joins the magistrate to the corporate church. Supported by additional references to Old Testament kings, Calvin implies that it is inappropriate for the magistrate to be a church leader, in that King David, for example, had priests dedicated to occupying those positions. On the topic of war, Calvin makes his position crystal clear. "But kings and people" Calvin states, "must sometimes take up arms to execute such public vengeance." Calvin views war as a "lawful" undertaking, as

The use of race in Their eyes were watching god essays

The use of race in Their eyes were watching god essays The Use of Race in Their Eyes Were Watching God This novel, while poetically conveying a black woman's pursuit of true love, seriously addresses society's ability to be judgmental and oppressive. Gender, race, economic security, and social stratification share equally important roles in the development of the main character, Janie. Hurston vividly describes how each qualification specifically affects the character, although the racial implications are much more subtle. This subtlety allows the reader to mistakenly perceive indifferent or positive feelings towards the novels black community. Hurston initially establishes the ideal unimportance of race by using Janie's innocent childhood memory. Janie painfully recalls Mr. Washburn, who is the father of the family with whom they live, abusively laughing at her belief of being the same as his white children. She also remembers being teased by the other black children for her clothing, which is better than others because hers is the Washburn childrens old clothing. This recollection is multiply used by Hurston. It capitalizes childrens acceptance of people for their actions, which is surpassingly more believable than portraying adults with the same feelings. It displays the dependence of black people on white people for success. Finally, it instates the Washburn family as the representation of white culture; accordingly initiating a negative undertone towards Janies ethnicity. However, these prejudices and their undermining effect depicted within the novel are soundly contrasted by Janies peaceful disposition at the e nd of her narration. Hurston masterfully uses the emotional responses of the black characters, specifically pertaining to successful and potentially successful endeavors of Joe, as metaphors of societys prejudice. The initial astonishment of the black characters to Joes monetary holdings and accomplishments deftly...

Child Soldiers in West Africa on Security in Europe Article - 1

Child Soldiers in West Africa on Security in Europe - Article Example In West Africa, human security has become a serious issue. The security maintenance has been spoiled in past few years, the reason might be any external or internal. (Diallo and Possà ©mà ©-Rageau, pg. 8) An estimated value of the world child labor report shows that 246 million children between the ages of 5-17 are under child labor category. The highest number of working children is found in Asia, then Africa and then in US, Middle East, and other countries. Although the greatest number of working children exists in Asia, Africa has greatest child labor ratio according to its population. (Finken, pg. 4) The aim of this paper is not to focus on the child labor issue but specifically child labor in form of soldiers’ issue. Throughout the world, about 87 countries have such a setup in which children are used as soldiers. A number of children are under training and many have been passed all the training and actively participating in wars, combats and certain other actions. According to the child soldier report 1379 report; child soldiers are defined as: â€Å"†¦any person under 18 years of age who is a member of or attached to the armed forces or an armed group, whether or not there is an armed conflict. Child soldiers may perform tasks ranging from direct participation in combat; military activities such as scouting, spying, sabotage, acting as decoys, couriers or guards; training, drill and other preparations; support functions such as pottering and domestic tasks; sexual slavery and Forced labor.† â€Å"Not surprisingly, the laws of war, the rules that govern how conflict is waged, and even human rights law, do not go far enough, and children, women and the family must bear the cost, precisely because they are together essential pillars in society. War today just simply does not match the traditional conception of two opposing armies; or even of an internal conflict pitting an armed opposition force against the established government, in which each side generally abides by the â€Å"rules of the game†, respecting the basic inviolability of civilian non-combatants and the special protection due to the young.’