The Rule of Law can be explained specifically with the words Lex Rex. These two words mean that the Law is King; all are subject to the Law, man and state, king and commoner. The Rule of Law is a western civilization phenomenon fueled by Christianity. Deuteronomy 16 : 18-20, Exodus 12 : 48 and 49 and Jesus’ own words: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”, are all examples of the fact that not only does the Bible have a lot to say about government but that state and federal governments are limited. Aristotle stated that the “Rule of Law” is better than that of any individual. The Greeks first spoke of it and made many efforts down through history to implement it but with limited success. Most men are weak and beggarly and will be led by anyone. Other men are brutes and want to rule everyone. Thus is the nature of man. It is a fact that Christianity breeds liberty and equity for all and that Christianity established the Rule of Law in western civilization. For more than 1500 years God’s law was the Rule of Law. Here is what William Blackstone stated in his “Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765 – 1769)”:
Man, considered as a creature, must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being. And consequently, as a man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that he should, in all points, conform to his Maker’s will. This will of his Maker is called the law of nature. This law of nature, being coeval [existing at the same time – ed.] with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe in all countries, and at all times: no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them as are valid derive all their force and all their authority, mediately or immediately, from this original. The doctrines thus delivered we call the revealed or the divine law, and they are to be found only in the holy scriptures. These precepts, when revealed, are found upon comparison to be really a part of the original law of nature, as they tend in all their consequences to man’s felicity [happiness]. Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws; that is to say, no human laws should be suffered to contradict these.
Click for complete Blackstone’s Commentaries
Here is a chart of the world that indicates the countries that have had the strongest Rule of Law with Christianity as its roots:
The countries in green have seen the liberty and prosperity that results from maintaining the rule of law. Maintaining the rule of law requires that all people know their responsibility in upholding God’s law and that all government officials know the Lesser Magistrate Doctrine. Without this, as can be seen by the crumbling rule of law in America for more than one hundred years, even eternal righteousness can be redefined by the state. Evil can become good and good can become evil.
Because His law has been ridiculed, undermined and set aside in a systematic, intended effort by the state, elitist academics and certain wealthy men the rule of law is crumbling in America. When this happens only anarchy and brute force lie ahead for western man. The lesser magistrates of Magdeburg understood the rule of law and took a brave stand against Rome. America’s past is anchored, along with others, in the Bible, Blackstone’s, and the Magdeburg Confession. Its future can only be regained and sustained by reestablishing the rule of law.
