David Lipscomb - Views On War and Government

Views On War and Government

All the wars and strifes between tribes, races, nations, from the beginning until now, have been the result of man's effort to govern himself and the world, rather than to submit to the government of God.

David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.14

Lipscomb was deeply affected by the American Civil War, which prompted him to reevaluate his beliefs concerning the relationship between Christians and government. He shifted from being a strong supporter of American democracy to a more "Mennonite-like" view, no longer believing that Christians should participate in war or actively participate in government. The distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world became central to his thinking. Lipscomb expressed these views during the war in the Gospel Advocate and after the war in a book entitled Civil Government. Because of he actively opposed the participation of Christians in war, he was often viewed as a traitor to the Confederate States of America. Lipscomb did believe the war had served a positive purpose by freeing the slaves, though he challenged the American Christian Missionary Society's support of the war.

Every one who honors and serves the human government and relies upon it, for good, more than he does upon the Divine government, worships and serves the creature more than he does the Creator.

David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.50

Some radical libertarian scholars such as Prof. Edward Stringham have argued that Lipscomb had independently questioned common assumptions that:

  1. Governments need to make laws.
  2. Governments are created for the public good.
  3. Democracy is for the common good.

Stringham further describes Lipscomb as arguing that:

  1. Governments may seek to increase disorder to expand their power.
  2. People should abstain from voting, instead seeking change through persuasive and non-coercive methods.
  3. Peaceful civilization is not dependent on the state.
  4. Governments are created for the benefit of the rulers, not the people.

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