Law

&
Liberation
by Owen Fourie
With such emphasis on the inescapable guilt of those
who misuse the name of God, It is clear that the
Lord's name is inestimably precious and must be
regarded to be so by all His creatures at all times and
in all circumstances. The indication of this
commandment is that its breach is a sin above all
sins deserving of God's wrath to a degree not
measured out for other transgressions of His law.
God and All Things
All who are in the business of making things have
their particular trademark by which a manufactured
item is identified as the work of this or that
producer. That concept is derived from God who
created all things. The Creator's mark is on
everything in His creation and, to paraphrase
Cornelius Van Til, even the fastest traveller through
God's estate cannot mistake the signs of His
ownership. The earthly manufacturer's mark can be
a reflection of his name, but the Creator's mark
speaks unquestionably of His name which means
that everything bears witness to His name.
Consider Psalm 8 in which David sets out to prove
his opening statement, "0 LORD our Lord, how
excellent is thy name in all the earth," by referring to
God's glory which is evident in everything from the
most helpless of creatures--"babes and sucklings"--
to the highest heavens and the heavenly bodies.
Significantly, in this context of God's glory, the
psalmist takes cognizance of the position of man and
notes the dominion over the works of thy hands;
thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and
oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the
air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth
through the paths of the seas." This is the exercise
of righteous dominion that is supremely fulfilled in
the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:6f.) and required
of all people in terms of the Dominion Mandate of
Genesis 1:26-28 and restated in the Great
Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. It must be
understood that righteous dominion over the earth
cannot be exercised without all that the Great
Commission implies - regeneration, repentance of
sin, faith in the triune God, and obedience to God's
word in all its requirements. Having mentioned the
matter of dominion, David goes on to conclude that
his opening statement is well and truly proved, for in
all things, no less the things of the earth, the glory of
the Creator is evident and His mark is seen. "0
LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the
earth!" God, the Creator of all, leaves His mark
upon every detail and requires that all things
continue to reflect His name, His glory, by
proper usage on the part of man, His vicegerent, in
terms of His directions--His law. Abuse of any part
of God's creation is rebellion, and in such action
God's name is taken in vain.
Every aspect of God's creation speaks of Him as is
clear from the rejection by Christ of the false notion
of the Pharisees that by not using God's name and
swearing by heaven, or earth, or Jerusalem instead,
God's name is not used in vain. "Swear not at all;
neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the
earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for
it is the city of the Great King. Neither shalt thou
swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one
hair white or black." (Matthew 5:34-36). In other
words, the name of God, which reveals His
character and nature, is involved in all these things.
God, who names Himself, who defines Himself,
who says, "I am that I am," has ensured that every
The Counsel of Chalcedon August-September, 1990 Page 25
detail of HiS creation speaks of His name and His
glory." For this rea8on, the apostle Paul can boldly
state: ;,For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that
which may be. known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shewed it unto them. For the
invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans
1: 18-20). Since that which may be known of God is
. evident in each and every creature, . they who-
suppress this truth to misuse God's creation in
ungodliness and unrighteousness are without excuse
before the Eteinal Judge.
Implications for Life .
Since the name of God is universally in evidence,
the implications for life are all-embracing. To the
redeemed in Christ this should be the of
wholehearted worship and service in every detatl of
life. To fallen man, who would be as God and take
all glory to himself, this is the spectre that haunts
him, the truth that he suppresses, but which he
cannot ultimately deny without plunging into a
bottomless pit of meaninglessness. It is the truth
that challenges his whole way oflife and to
turn it -upside down. .
In God, "welive, and move; and have our being,"
(Acts 17:28). Nothing can be done apart from Him
and without involving His iiatne . . Not even the so-
dilled atheist's denial of God can be accomplished
without presupposing at least the idea of God.
Every sphere of life--the family, the school, the
church, the state; indeed, every area of life--must
submit to God as LORD over all. To establish any
part of life, any thought of action, on anything other
than'the triune God is nothing less than blasphemy.
Unless family life is built upon God's word; urtless
all education begins and continues with God and His
word; unless the church is true in every detail to the
word. of God; unless the state limits itself to the God-'
drdained bounds of its authority; and unless the dvil
law and order presupposes the authority God and
Hislaw, all these areas of life are being conducted
blasphemously, and rilany stand guilty before the
Eternal Judge.
The word "guiltless" in this commandi:nent can be
translated "clean". "TheLORD will not hold him to
beciean that tatceth his name in vain;" Our attitude .
towaid the name of God and the far-reaching
impiiGation Of His name reveals our spiritual state,
whether we are clean or unclean before .the
Almighty.
Directions for Use
Along with the manufacturer's mark goes the
directions for use. The Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments give us the law.:word of the
Creator-God by which we are to live and to order
our lives in obedience, making proper use of the
earth and the heavens. Time, mind, body, talent,
and every field of knowledge must be governed by
the directions of God's word. In this regard, the
prior and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ
to the full requirement of God's holy law. is vitally
important. Without it there could be no true
following aJ1d fulfillment of the directions of God's'
word. But the merits of Christ's active and passive
obedience, in full atonement for their sins, have been
imputed to the redeemed of the LORD for
their justification, their adoption as children: of God,
and their eternal life, and they are irresistibly drawn
to Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit Being
thus renewed in mind, heart, and will, they find
themselves truly liberated from slavery to sin. With
true knowledge of the triune God, and with deep
love for Christ, and in gratitude for His redeeming
love, they find that the enabling grace of God places
them in the path of obedience to His law. Here is
true liberation, not to lawlessnes but to law-keeping
and the proper use of God's creation. Well has the
apostle Paul said, "Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy
2:19).
Since the mark of God is upon every detail of His
creation, the directions of His word are applicable to
everything. The relevance of the word of God is not
confined to the institutionalized church and the
spiritual and heavenly concerns of its members. lt
speaks to the whole of life irt every aspect. A true
following and application of these directions will
give rise to the authoritative preaching and teaching
of the word of God with fervent calls for individual
and national. repentance. . The ensuing .practical
obedience of a faithful and God-feariqg people will
see the restoration of the family as God's central unit
in societY. with its covenanting, life-giving, law-
making, protecting, schooling, motivating, guiding,
and economic functions ; the return of the church to
the preaching and of the pure word of God,
the faithful administration of the sacraments of
baptism and L)rd's supper, and the godly exercise
of discipline; the return of the state to its limite!i;
God-ordained function as the minister of God's law
and order, punishing evil-doers and rewarding
of good; the return of eduction to God and His word
as the foundation, starting point, and
consummation of all the Christianization
Page 26 1990 The Counsel of Cbalcedon
of cultures; and the name of God honored and
glorified as His creation is properly used according
to His word.
The Westminster Larger Catechism of 1648 asks,
"What is required in the third conunandment?" and
answers, "The third commandment requires, that the
name of God, His titles, attributes, ordinances, His
word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, His
works, and all through which He makes Himself
lmown, be used in thought, meditations, word, and
writing with holiness and reverence, that is in a holy
profession . of faith and a corresponding life, all to
the glory of God, the good of ourselves and others."
Oaths and vows are mentioned. The spiritual health
and stability of a society depends on its observance
of its oaths and vows, its regard for taking the name
of the LORD in truth and establishing itself entirely
in every area of life on the foundation of God and
His unbreakable word and under the judgment of
God who is the only true ground of all being, life,
thought, and action. Hence the sanctity of vows and
oaths. Marriage vows require the fidelity of
husbands and wives; ordination vows require the
faithfulness of ririnisters of God; baptismal vows
require a true profession of Christ; the oaths of
office in the state require integrity before God and
men; and oaths in the courts of law require the
reliabiltiy of witnesses.
Another crucially important directive by which
God's name is honored, which is the special target
of evil men, is succinctly stated by R. J. Rushdoony
in The Institutes of Biblical Law (page 121):
"Respect for duly constituted authorities is required
both as a religious duty and a practical policy. The
world is not bettered by disobedience and anarchy;
evil men cannot produce a good society. The key to
social renewal is individual regeneration. All
authorities are to be obeyed; parents, husbands,
masters, rulers, pastors, always subject to the prior
obedience to God. All obedience is under God,
because required by His word. Therefore ... the
covenant people cannot violate any due authority
without taking the name of the Lord in vain."
The Spirit of Disobedience
If the Creators' directions are not followed for
everything in life, His name is taken in vain. The
Westminster Larger Cateschism enumerates the sins
forbidden in the third commandment: "the refusal to
give glory to God'$ name; and its abuse in ignorant,
vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked
speech, or in other ways the misuse of His titles,
attributes, ordinances, or works, in blasphemy or
perjury; all sinful cursing, oaths, vows, and lots; the
violating of lawful oaths and vows, and the fulfilling
of unlawful ones; murmuring, complaining, and
willful disrespect with regard to God's decrees and
providences; misinterpreting, misapplying, or in any
way perverting the word, or any part of it, in
profane jests, curious or unprofitable questions, vain
discussion, or in maintaining false doctrines;
abusing God's name, along with creatures, or any
thing contained under His name, for charms or
sinful lusts and practices; maligning? scorning,
reviling, or any wise opposing God's truth, grace,
and ways; making profession of religion in
hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being ashamed of it,
or bringing shame upon it, by uncomformable,
unwise, unfruitful, and offensive living or
backsliding from it."
In short, whatever is said or done without due
reverence to God, in humble submission to the
directions of His law in every area of life, is a
violation of this commandment. This even includes
polite and courteous speech and action that does not
acknowledge God a sovereign LORD over all. It is
this all-encompassing sovereignty of God that Satan
challenged in the temptaton at the dawn of history
and which he continues to challenge through the
spirit of disobedience "that now worketh in the
children of disobedience," (Ephesians 2:2). The
greater the denial of the religion of the triune God,
the more the religion of ungodly revolution comes to
the fore. The language of such revolution is
characterized by profanity, blasphemy, and an
obsession with excrement and sex, especially sexual
perversion that is also practiced, the point being that
revolution draws its power from below. In the
preamble to revolution, the sanctity of oaths and
vows is eroded and a society is moved away from its
bedrock of truth to the sinking sand of lies from the
devil who is the father of liars (John 8:44).
In a most discerning passage in his Survey of
Christian Epistemol$.y, Cornelius Van Til said;
"According to the B ~ b l e sin has set man at enmity
against God. Consequently, it has been. man's
endeavor to get away from the idea of God, that is, a
truly absolute God. And the best way to accomplish
this subordinate purpose was to do it by making it
appear as though an absolute God were retained.
Hence the great insistence on the part of those who
are really anti-Christian, that they are Christian."
Such a statement fits Liberation Theology which
uses Biblical and Christian terminology to convert
the people to Marxism. In doing so and in using the
LORD'S name in liturgies of hate and in associating
the names of God and Christ with so-called freedom
fighters and with revolutionary violence, Liberation
Theology takes the name of the LORD in vain. The
The Counsel of Chalcedon August-September, 1990 Page 27
New Age Movement's Messiah, Maitreya,
supposedly the fifth incarnation of Buddha, the
Mahdi of Islam, and the Krishna of Hinduism, is
called. Christ in order to attract Christians! The
LORD God Almighty will not hold Liberationists
and exponents of the New Age guiltless.
Conclusion
It is not possible for the Christian to come away
from a study of this commandment in its far-
reaching implications without the conviction of
failure in the keeping of it Only by the mercy and
Book
the grace of God is there forgiveness through the
perfect and finished atonement of Christ for our
sins. Only by the enabling grace of God can we
really attain to a greater steadfastness in our striving
to keep this law and to glorify His name in
everything in life. That same mercy and that same
grace bids the sinner, even the most hardened
offender, to repent and to exalt that worthy name,
that name which above every name, the name of
Jesus Christ, and confess tnat He is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11). "0
LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the
earth!" 0
Review
.A .A .A .AAAA .A .AAA
Messiah the Prince
Messiah. the by William Symington. Still
Waters Revival Books 12810-126 St. Edmonton, .
AB Canada T5L-OYL, 1990 $24.95 (USA) $29.95
(Canada). Reviewed by Byron Snapp.
"I personally am opposed to abortion. But I am not
going to use my office to superimpose my personal
position on. other people's decisions. I am to
listen carefully to both sides each tinie I am requrred
to vote." ("Warner Kicks Off Campaign," Roanoke
Times & World News, Feb. 6, 1990)
"The Wisconsin woman charged with adultery is
being singled out for punishment that could be
applied to thousands. Laws against adultery,
fomication and sodomy are still on the books in 27
states . including Virginia, but are enforced only
rarely. They serve no good purpose and ought to be
repealed ... Society is far more tolerant than when
Wisconsin's adultery law was passed in the 19th
century. For the most part, government has gotten
out of the business of trying to legislate morality.
Wisconsin, Virginia and the other 25 states with
these antiquated laws ought to get rid of them.
Otherwise, they'll continue to be pulled out to satisfy
grudges." ("Selectively judging morality" The
Roanoke Times and World News May 3, 1990,
p.l4)
Page 28 August-September, 1990 The Counsel of Chalcedon
These quotes are only two of many that could be
given to show the importance of the recent reprinting
of William Symington's Messiah the Prince. This
book is solely devoted to unfolding the Biblical
doctrine of Christ's kingship over all things both,
now and throughout eternity.
"Without Christ's kingly work, the gracious
purposes of God could not be executed; the
mediatorial character itself would not be complete;
the work ofsalvation must continue unrewarded; the
enemies of trti.th and holiness should finally triumph,
and the necessities of the children of God remain for
ever unsupplied. Such things cannot--shall not be."
(p.l6) Having pointed out the necessity of Christ's
kingship the author then points out the reality of His
lordship as well as His qualifications for this office.
Mr. Symington readily acknowledges and explains
that Christ's kingdom is spiritual. Yet such an
explanation in no way means that Christ has no rule
in His world now. Defining Christ's kingdom as
spiritual means "that its nature and design are wholly
celestial, that it is of a character. different from the
kirtgdoms of this world, and destined to higher and
more gloriouspurposes" (p. 64). In other words all
things are under Christ. Christ's kingdom being