neverfear
12-31-2007, 10:09 AM
The Institutes of Biblical Law, was published in 1973. The three-voume, 1,894 page treatise examines each commandment of the decalogue in detail, showing the application and implications of each.
THE INSTITUTES OF BIBLICAL LAW by ROUSAS JOHN RUSHDOONY
VOUME 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE........................................... ........................................... vii
The chapters of this study were delivered, over a period of three years, before a large number of groups—students, civil officials, businessmen, housewives, and a great variety of persons. All of this study was also delivered at a single place during the course of the three years, with discussion and comment: At the Chapel of the Palms, Westwood, Los Angeles, James and Clarence Pierce have made their facility available for a continuing Chalcedon study group, and their cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.
Various persons have contributed generously to the Chalcedon publication fund, and have made this study possible: Frederick Vreeland, Keith Harnish, Mrs. S. W. North, Jr., my associate Gary North, and many others. The faithful work of the Chalcedon Guild is undergirding the publication of this and other Chalcedon Studies.
The indexing is the work of Bernard Ladouceur. The typing and proofreading have been done by my beloved wife, Dorothy, whose thinking and questioning have greatly furthered this study.
Many of the ideas developed in this study were discussed at times with Burton S. Blumert, who in more ways than one has been a source of encouragement. David L. Thoburn supplied me with several books which were helpful. Many other friends have, by their encouragement and help, made my work possible, and, to one and all, I am deeply grateful.
ROUSAS JOHN RUSHDOONY
INTRODUCTION: The Importance of the Law...........................1
1. The Validity of Biblical Law........................................ 2
2. The Law as Revelation and Treaty.............................. 4
3. The Direction of the Law.............................................. 10
I. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT ...................................... 15
1. The First Commandment and the Shema Israel............ 15
2. The Undivided Word.............................................. ...... 27
3. God versus Moloch .................................................. .... 30
4. The Laws of Covenant Membership ............................ 41
5. The Law as Power and Discrimination.......................... 58
II. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT..................................63
1. The Lawful Approach to God...................................... 63
2. The Throne of Law............................................... ....... 69
3. The Altar and Capital Punishment.............................. 73
4. Sacrifice and Responsibility .........................................78
5. Holiness and Law............................................... ..........83
6. Law as Warfare .................................................. ..... 88
7. Law and Equality.......................................... ................95
III. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT ....................................101
1. The Negativism of the Law.......................................... 101
2. Swearing and Revolution........................................ ...... 106
3. The Oath and Society........................................... ......... Ill
4. Swearing and Worship .................................................1 15
5. The Oath and Authority......................................... ....... 120
6. The Name of God .................................................. ...... 124
IV. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT ................................ 128
1. The Sign of Freedom .................................................. ..128
2. The Sabbath and Life.............................................. ...... 137
3. The Sabbath and Work ................................................ 145
4. The Sabbath and Authority......................................... . 149
5. The Sabbath and Law .................................................. 155
V. THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT......................................1 59
1. The Authority of the Family ........................................ 159
2. The Promise of Life.............................................. ........ 164
3. The Economics of the Family ...................................... 174
4. Education and the Family ............................................ 182
5. The Family and Delinquency....................................... . 185
6. The Principle of Authority......................................... ... 191
7. The Family and Authority......................................... ... 199
8. The Holy Family............................................ .............. 208
9. The Limitation of Man's Authority.............................. 211
VI. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.................................... 219
1. "Thou Shalt Not Kill".................................................. 219
2. The Death Penalty........................................... ............225
3. Origins of the State: Its Prophetic Office...................... 238
4. "To Make Alive".................................................. ........ 244
5. Hybridization and Law ................................................ 253
6. Abortion.......................................... ............................263
7. Responsibility and Law............................................... . 269
8. Restitution or Restoration....................................... ..... 272
9. Military Laws and Production...................................... 277
10. Taxation.......................................... ......................... 281
11. Love and the Law............................................... ........284
12. Coercion.......................................... .........................288
13. Quarantine Laws.............................................. ..........293
14. Dietary Rules............................................. ................297
15. Christ and the Law............................................. 302
16. Work.............................................. ...........................308
17. Amalek............................................ ..........................312
18. Amalek and Violence ................................................ 318
19. Violence as Presumption....................................... ......323
20. Social Inheritance: Landmarks.................................... 328
VII. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT .............................333
1. Marriage.......................................... ............................333
2. Marriage and Man............................................... ......... 341
3. Marriage and Woman .................................................. 346
4. Nakedness .................................................. ..............353
5. Family Law............................................... ................... 358
6. Marriage and Monogamy.......................................... .... 362
7. Incest............................................ ............................ 368
8. The Levirate.......................................... .......................375
9. Sex and Crime............................................. ............... 381
10. Sex and Religion.......................................... ..............386
11. Adultery.......................................... ...........................392
12. Divorce........................................... .......................... 401
13. The Family as Trustee........................................... ..... 415
14. Homosexuality..................................... ......................419
15. Uncovering the Springs........................................... ....427
16. The Mediatorial Work of the Law................................ 431
17. The Transvestite...................................... .................434
18. Bestiality........................................ ...........................438
19. The Architecture of Life ..............................................441
20. Faithfulness...................................... .........................445
VIII. THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT................................448
1. Dominion .................................................. .................448
2. Theft............................................. .................................452
3. Restitution and Forgiveness .......................................... 458
4. Liability of the Bystander......................................... .... 463
5. Money and Measure........................................... ......... 468
6. Usury............................................. ............................... 473
7. Responsibility.................................... ............................ 481
8. Stealing Freedom........................................... ............... 484
9. Landmarks and Land.............................................. ...... 488
10. The Virgin Birth and Property .................................... 493
11. Fraud............................................. ...............................496
12. Eminent Domain............................................ .............. 499
13. Labor Laws.............................................. ................ 504
14. Robbing God............................................... ................. 510
15. Prison............................................ .............................. 514
16. Lawful Wealth............................................ .................. 522
17. Restitution to God .................................................. ...... 525
18. The Rights of Strangers, Widows, and Orphans............ 530
19. Injustice as Robbery .................................................. .. 534
20. Theft and Law............................................... ............... 537
IX. THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.................................... 542
1. Tempting God............................................... ............... 542
2. Sanctification and the Law............................................ 549
3. The False Prophet........................................... ............. 556
4. The Witness of the False Prophet................................ 560
5. Corroboration..................................... ........................... 565
6. Perjury........................................... ............................... 569
7. Jesus Christ as The Witness................................ 572
8. False Witness........................................... ..................... 575
9. False Freedom........................................... ................... 580
10. The Lying Tongue............................................ ............ 585
11. Slander Within Marriage .............................................. 590
12. Slander........................................... ..............................594
13. Slander as Theft............................................. ............... 598
14. "Every Idle Word".................................................. ...... 600
15. Trials by Ordeal and the Law of Nature...................... 606
16. Judges............................................ ..............................611
17. The Responsibility of Judges and Rulers...................... 613
18. The Court............................................. ....................... 617
19. The Procedure of the Court.......................................... 622
20. The Judgment of the Court.......................................... 625
21. Perfection........................................ ............................ 628
X. THE TENTH COMMANDMENT .................................. 632
1. Covetousness .................................................. ........... 632
2. The Law in Force............................................. ........... 636
3. Special Privilege......................................... ................... 639
4. Offenses Against Our Neighbor.................................... 644
5. The System............................................ ...................... 647
XI. THE PROMISES OF LAW..............................................6 51
1. The Use of Law............................................... ............. 651
2. The Law and the Ban............................................... ..... 655
3. The Curse and the Blessing.......................................... 660
4. The Unlimited Liability Universe.................................. 664
XII. THE LAW IN THE OLD TESTAMENT........................ 670
1. God the King.............................................. ..................670
2. The Law and the Prophets .......................................... 674
3. Natural and Supernatural Law .................................... 679
4. The Law as Direction and Life.................................... 689
5. The Law and the Covenant.......................................... 693
XIII. THE LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...................... 698
1. Christ and the Law............................................... ....... 698
2. The Woman Taken in Adultery.................................. 702
3. Antinomianism Attacked ..............................................706
4. The Transfiguration................................... ................... 710
5. The Kingdom of God............................................... ..... 714
6. The Tribute Money............................................. ......... 718
7. The Cultural Mandate........................................... ....... 723
8. The Law in Acts and the Epistles................................ 730
XIV. THE CHURCH............................................ .............739
1. The Meaning of Eldership .......................................... 739
2. The Office of Elder in the Church................................ 743
3. The Christian Passover ................................................75 1
4. Circumcision and Baptism........................................... . 755
5. The Priesthood of All Believers.................................... 761
6. Discipline........................................ .............................765
7. Rebukes and Excommunication................................... . 770
8. Power and Authority......................................... ........... 773
9. Peace............................................. ............................777
XV. NOTES ON LAW IN WESTERN SOCIETY................ 782
APPENDICES .................................................. ................794
1. The New Testament as Law ........................................ 794
2. The Implications of I Samuel 8.................................... 797
3. Stewardship, Investment, and Usury:
Financing the Kingdom of God—by Gary North........ 799
4. The Economics of Sabbath Keeping—by Gary North .. 824
5. In Defense of Biblical Bribery—by Gary North............ 837
6. Subversion and the Tithe ............................................. 846
7. Notes............................................. ............................ 848
SCRIPTURE TEXTS .................................................. ........850
INDEX............................................. ..................................872
THE INSTITUTES OF BIBLICAL LAW by ROUSAS JOHN RUSHDOONY
VOUME 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE........................................... ........................................... vii
The chapters of this study were delivered, over a period of three years, before a large number of groups—students, civil officials, businessmen, housewives, and a great variety of persons. All of this study was also delivered at a single place during the course of the three years, with discussion and comment: At the Chapel of the Palms, Westwood, Los Angeles, James and Clarence Pierce have made their facility available for a continuing Chalcedon study group, and their cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.
Various persons have contributed generously to the Chalcedon publication fund, and have made this study possible: Frederick Vreeland, Keith Harnish, Mrs. S. W. North, Jr., my associate Gary North, and many others. The faithful work of the Chalcedon Guild is undergirding the publication of this and other Chalcedon Studies.
The indexing is the work of Bernard Ladouceur. The typing and proofreading have been done by my beloved wife, Dorothy, whose thinking and questioning have greatly furthered this study.
Many of the ideas developed in this study were discussed at times with Burton S. Blumert, who in more ways than one has been a source of encouragement. David L. Thoburn supplied me with several books which were helpful. Many other friends have, by their encouragement and help, made my work possible, and, to one and all, I am deeply grateful.
ROUSAS JOHN RUSHDOONY
INTRODUCTION: The Importance of the Law...........................1
1. The Validity of Biblical Law........................................ 2
2. The Law as Revelation and Treaty.............................. 4
3. The Direction of the Law.............................................. 10
I. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT ...................................... 15
1. The First Commandment and the Shema Israel............ 15
2. The Undivided Word.............................................. ...... 27
3. God versus Moloch .................................................. .... 30
4. The Laws of Covenant Membership ............................ 41
5. The Law as Power and Discrimination.......................... 58
II. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT..................................63
1. The Lawful Approach to God...................................... 63
2. The Throne of Law............................................... ....... 69
3. The Altar and Capital Punishment.............................. 73
4. Sacrifice and Responsibility .........................................78
5. Holiness and Law............................................... ..........83
6. Law as Warfare .................................................. ..... 88
7. Law and Equality.......................................... ................95
III. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT ....................................101
1. The Negativism of the Law.......................................... 101
2. Swearing and Revolution........................................ ...... 106
3. The Oath and Society........................................... ......... Ill
4. Swearing and Worship .................................................1 15
5. The Oath and Authority......................................... ....... 120
6. The Name of God .................................................. ...... 124
IV. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT ................................ 128
1. The Sign of Freedom .................................................. ..128
2. The Sabbath and Life.............................................. ...... 137
3. The Sabbath and Work ................................................ 145
4. The Sabbath and Authority......................................... . 149
5. The Sabbath and Law .................................................. 155
V. THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT......................................1 59
1. The Authority of the Family ........................................ 159
2. The Promise of Life.............................................. ........ 164
3. The Economics of the Family ...................................... 174
4. Education and the Family ............................................ 182
5. The Family and Delinquency....................................... . 185
6. The Principle of Authority......................................... ... 191
7. The Family and Authority......................................... ... 199
8. The Holy Family............................................ .............. 208
9. The Limitation of Man's Authority.............................. 211
VI. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.................................... 219
1. "Thou Shalt Not Kill".................................................. 219
2. The Death Penalty........................................... ............225
3. Origins of the State: Its Prophetic Office...................... 238
4. "To Make Alive".................................................. ........ 244
5. Hybridization and Law ................................................ 253
6. Abortion.......................................... ............................263
7. Responsibility and Law............................................... . 269
8. Restitution or Restoration....................................... ..... 272
9. Military Laws and Production...................................... 277
10. Taxation.......................................... ......................... 281
11. Love and the Law............................................... ........284
12. Coercion.......................................... .........................288
13. Quarantine Laws.............................................. ..........293
14. Dietary Rules............................................. ................297
15. Christ and the Law............................................. 302
16. Work.............................................. ...........................308
17. Amalek............................................ ..........................312
18. Amalek and Violence ................................................ 318
19. Violence as Presumption....................................... ......323
20. Social Inheritance: Landmarks.................................... 328
VII. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT .............................333
1. Marriage.......................................... ............................333
2. Marriage and Man............................................... ......... 341
3. Marriage and Woman .................................................. 346
4. Nakedness .................................................. ..............353
5. Family Law............................................... ................... 358
6. Marriage and Monogamy.......................................... .... 362
7. Incest............................................ ............................ 368
8. The Levirate.......................................... .......................375
9. Sex and Crime............................................. ............... 381
10. Sex and Religion.......................................... ..............386
11. Adultery.......................................... ...........................392
12. Divorce........................................... .......................... 401
13. The Family as Trustee........................................... ..... 415
14. Homosexuality..................................... ......................419
15. Uncovering the Springs........................................... ....427
16. The Mediatorial Work of the Law................................ 431
17. The Transvestite...................................... .................434
18. Bestiality........................................ ...........................438
19. The Architecture of Life ..............................................441
20. Faithfulness...................................... .........................445
VIII. THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT................................448
1. Dominion .................................................. .................448
2. Theft............................................. .................................452
3. Restitution and Forgiveness .......................................... 458
4. Liability of the Bystander......................................... .... 463
5. Money and Measure........................................... ......... 468
6. Usury............................................. ............................... 473
7. Responsibility.................................... ............................ 481
8. Stealing Freedom........................................... ............... 484
9. Landmarks and Land.............................................. ...... 488
10. The Virgin Birth and Property .................................... 493
11. Fraud............................................. ...............................496
12. Eminent Domain............................................ .............. 499
13. Labor Laws.............................................. ................ 504
14. Robbing God............................................... ................. 510
15. Prison............................................ .............................. 514
16. Lawful Wealth............................................ .................. 522
17. Restitution to God .................................................. ...... 525
18. The Rights of Strangers, Widows, and Orphans............ 530
19. Injustice as Robbery .................................................. .. 534
20. Theft and Law............................................... ............... 537
IX. THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.................................... 542
1. Tempting God............................................... ............... 542
2. Sanctification and the Law............................................ 549
3. The False Prophet........................................... ............. 556
4. The Witness of the False Prophet................................ 560
5. Corroboration..................................... ........................... 565
6. Perjury........................................... ............................... 569
7. Jesus Christ as The Witness................................ 572
8. False Witness........................................... ..................... 575
9. False Freedom........................................... ................... 580
10. The Lying Tongue............................................ ............ 585
11. Slander Within Marriage .............................................. 590
12. Slander........................................... ..............................594
13. Slander as Theft............................................. ............... 598
14. "Every Idle Word".................................................. ...... 600
15. Trials by Ordeal and the Law of Nature...................... 606
16. Judges............................................ ..............................611
17. The Responsibility of Judges and Rulers...................... 613
18. The Court............................................. ....................... 617
19. The Procedure of the Court.......................................... 622
20. The Judgment of the Court.......................................... 625
21. Perfection........................................ ............................ 628
X. THE TENTH COMMANDMENT .................................. 632
1. Covetousness .................................................. ........... 632
2. The Law in Force............................................. ........... 636
3. Special Privilege......................................... ................... 639
4. Offenses Against Our Neighbor.................................... 644
5. The System............................................ ...................... 647
XI. THE PROMISES OF LAW..............................................6 51
1. The Use of Law............................................... ............. 651
2. The Law and the Ban............................................... ..... 655
3. The Curse and the Blessing.......................................... 660
4. The Unlimited Liability Universe.................................. 664
XII. THE LAW IN THE OLD TESTAMENT........................ 670
1. God the King.............................................. ..................670
2. The Law and the Prophets .......................................... 674
3. Natural and Supernatural Law .................................... 679
4. The Law as Direction and Life.................................... 689
5. The Law and the Covenant.......................................... 693
XIII. THE LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...................... 698
1. Christ and the Law............................................... ....... 698
2. The Woman Taken in Adultery.................................. 702
3. Antinomianism Attacked ..............................................706
4. The Transfiguration................................... ................... 710
5. The Kingdom of God............................................... ..... 714
6. The Tribute Money............................................. ......... 718
7. The Cultural Mandate........................................... ....... 723
8. The Law in Acts and the Epistles................................ 730
XIV. THE CHURCH............................................ .............739
1. The Meaning of Eldership .......................................... 739
2. The Office of Elder in the Church................................ 743
3. The Christian Passover ................................................75 1
4. Circumcision and Baptism........................................... . 755
5. The Priesthood of All Believers.................................... 761
6. Discipline........................................ .............................765
7. Rebukes and Excommunication................................... . 770
8. Power and Authority......................................... ........... 773
9. Peace............................................. ............................777
XV. NOTES ON LAW IN WESTERN SOCIETY................ 782
APPENDICES .................................................. ................794
1. The New Testament as Law ........................................ 794
2. The Implications of I Samuel 8.................................... 797
3. Stewardship, Investment, and Usury:
Financing the Kingdom of God—by Gary North........ 799
4. The Economics of Sabbath Keeping—by Gary North .. 824
5. In Defense of Biblical Bribery—by Gary North............ 837
6. Subversion and the Tithe ............................................. 846
7. Notes............................................. ............................ 848
SCRIPTURE TEXTS .................................................. ........850
INDEX............................................. ..................................872