Law and Gospel Equally Divine

Under Dr. Harnack’s system all this is either perverted or ignored. He gives a qualified approval to the pestilent theories of Tolstoi, and states the opposite contention “that the gospel takes law and legal relations under its protection.”* But this alternative view is not only inaccurate but absurd, for law and gospel are equally divine. True it is that the law which is commonly administered in human courts be tthe same relati e divine standard as does the gospel which is commonly preached-in-human-pulpits. But this does not affect the principle. And here the Christian’s duty is plain. If human law enjoins that

[rie distinctly clashes with the divine, he disobeys, and takes the consequences. But short of this, he obeys, recognising that “the

* pp. 107, 108.

Christianized Rationalisnt

powers that be are ordained of God.” “There is no power but of God”; and, therefore, the infliction of injustice or wrong under human law is not a usurpation of divine authority, but an abuse of it. The practical application of this principle is clear and simple. The householder, for example, will pay his “tribute,” even though the money be used to subsidise and promote the teaching and practice of idolatry. And this, whether the “Cesar” be a pagan Nero, or a constitutional government in a Christian country. But if the “Cesar” required the Christian to take part in the practice of idolatry, or to subject his children to the teaching of it, then a higher law would take precedence of the human law, and he would refuse obedience.