Sheriffs in Alabama are interposing against the Governor Ivey’s ‘Stay at home’ order. Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon says he knows he’ll take some heat for it, but he’s told deputies to not stop any businesses or churches that are reopening against statewide orders. He stated: “I’ve told my deputies NOT to go into businesses or churches and stop either. I know…
Lamar County Sheriff Hal Allred has also instructed deputies not to enforce the guidelines that Gov. Ivey has put in place to slowly reopen the state. Allred said he will not tell people how to worship or make a living.
These sheriffs are demonstrating the doctrine of the lesser magistrates in their defiance and interposition. As Justice Abram Smith stated in his act of interposition back in 1854:
“I know well its consequences, and appreciate fully the criticism to which I may be subjected. But I believe most sincerely and solemnly that the last hope of free, representative and responsible government rests upon the state sovereignties and fidelity of state officers to their double allegiance, to the state and federal government; and so believing, I cannot hesitate in performing a clear, an indispensable duty.”
The doctrine of the lesser magistrates is a Christian doctrine rooted in the historic Christian doctrine of interposition.
America’s founders established America as a true federalism. In a federalism all four governments established by God – self, family, church, and civil government – are important, and have their own role, functions, and limits.
In a federalism, there are multiple levels of government and multiple branches at each level, so that if any one branch begins to play the tyrant – the other branches interpose against that branch and resist them.
The role of the people is massively important to the doctrine of the lesser magistrates. The people have a duty to prod and demand their magistrates act against eviland injustice. And to assure the magistrates they will stand with them if they do right in their possession, in their persons, and in their prayers – both publicly and privately.
