Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written,
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
(Romans 12:19, quoting Deuteronomy 32:35)
The purpose of the State is to take vengeance. It was invented by those
who would not wait for the Lord to repay. If it
is sinful for me to take vengeance, it is sinful for me to hire
someone to take vengeance for me (a mafia hit-man), and it is sinful for me
to "vote" for someone to take vengeance for me. The
State is therefore precluded by this passage.
John
Calvin's comments on this passage are found here.
Even if the State were a completely voluntary association, which did not
finance its activities by initiating force or threats of force against
others in order to confiscate
their wealth, its fundamental purpose -- taking vengeance -- is sinful and
prohibited to all human beings.
The Biblical
Prohibition of Vengeance
- Romans
12
- The
Sermon on the Mount
- Throughout
Scripture
Vengeance belongs to
God; He will repay
- God’s
Promise of “National Security”
- Providence:
The View of the Founding Fathers