Common-Good Conservatism? // Nationalism as Red Herring for Repentance // Westminster on Church and State

Randy Barnett, Georgetown law professor - on "Deep-State Constitutionalism" - at claremontreviewofbooks.com

Barnett critiques "Common-good conservatism," which asserts that conservatives have more discretion to make positive law for the common good than our "judicial restraint" instincts allow.  People, they argue, have natural rights that go beyond what is spelled out in our founding documents, and law can be made assuming them.  An interesting example is whether parents have a constitutional right to raise their own children.  SCOTUS in 2000 said 6-3 that they do, but this right is nowhere in the text of the constitution.  Still, this area of natural law is bounded by individual rights and the original meaning of our founding documents.  Jurists can't wing it based on their understanding of the common good.

Douglas Wilson - on "Sly Dog Teachers"

When faced with a straight-up call to a nation to repent, too many sly dog teachers in the church, trying to be winsome, cry foul, cry "Nationalism!"  But this is a poor defense when we are now mutilating our children, in and outside the womb.  God sent prophets to nations not "chosen" like Israel.  Isn't He doing the same today?  Who cares if that is nationalism - the point is to repent.

Kevin DeYoung - on politics and the Church - at Clearly Reformed

More thinking about politics is generally a good thing.  But many see the church as a tool in the political process, when Westminster (WLC 191) said the opposite.  We aren't seeking a revival for the sake of our nation.  Rather, Christ ruling His kingdom of power among the nations is done for the sake of the church.  This doesn't make the state of the state unimportant.  But it is LESS important than gospel repentance in the hearts of citizens.  

Reading DeYoung, and then the Wilson article above, one after the other, and comparing the two is fascinating.  I don't think they disagree fundamentally, but there is a sharp difference in emphasis and style.  Two of the men living that I respect most for their ability to articulate theology and apply it to our situation today.