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Reforming Politics: the Covenant Device in Anglo-American Political Theory

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Reforming Politics: the Covenant Device in Anglo-American Political Theory Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2007 Reforming Politics: The oC venant Device in Anglo-American Political Theory Glenn A. Moots Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Moots, Glenn A., "Reforming Politics: The oC venant Device in Anglo-American Political Theory" (2007). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3375. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3375 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. REFORMING POLITICS: THE COVENANT DEVICE IN ANGLO-AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Political Science by Glenn A. Moots A.B., The University of Michigan, 1991 M.A., Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, 1993 M.S., Walsh College, 1996 August, 2007 ©Copyright 2007 Glenn A. Moots All rights reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe a great debt to many people. Professor Eubanks first directed my studies when I was a young graduate student and didn’t know how to pursue the intersection of religion and political theory. Professor Stoner has provided invaluable personal and professional mentoring over the years, helping me to see my own potential and encouraging me to return for my PhD when it seemed an impossible transition. Professor Sandoz, with whom I’ve concluded my studies, has demonstrated the most gracious patience and enabled financial support while my professional habits matured. Professor Harry Veryser, formerly of Walsh College, served to mentor me in the interim years and has been a great friend and teacher. Professors Mary Sirridge, William Clark, Francois Raffoul, Gregory Schufreider, and Ed Henderson supervised other projects and coursework. Each enlarged my understanding of many things. “For money is not the standard by which the worth (of a teacher) can be measured, and no honor could match what he has given.” (Nicomachean Ethics 1164b) My colleagues at Northwood have supported this project in many ways. The academic administration (Tim Nash, John Grether, and Gene Beckham) accommodated a research-friendly schedule. Joan Deegan and Rochelle Zimmerman demonstrated dedication above the call of duty to track down research materials. Benedict Hughes sacrificed time to read chapter drafts. Our friends in Baton Rouge have made it a second home for us. They have provided an example of hospitality and graciousness without peer. We fondly call to mind our times with them and hope to return in the years to come. I was particularly blessed to have pastors there (Randy Toms) and in Michigan (Raymond Joseph) who provided an example of intelligent theology always mindful of political questions both ecclesiastical and civil. The Acton Institute and Intercollegiate Studies Institute have been very generous in iii providing funding for this and other research. Without their support I would not have had the time to complete this project. I hope that they find me to be a good fiduciary of their resources. How can I ever thank my wife and children for their great love and encouragement through this and other labors? They are my best friends and co-laborers in all things. They would all say, of course, that families are supposed to support noble and sacrificial tasks. And they are right! But it is no less hard for us to give up time together so that Daddy can sit in front of his books and keyboard. I hope that I have set a good example for them. Here’s praying for life and health to provide payback for missing family time! The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes writes, “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (12:11-13) I am thankful to God’s faithful providence for the skill and circumstance to write this dissertation, and for the ministry and mentoring of many in my learning, writing and teaching over the years. As I complete this and other projects, I pray that the Holy Spirit will fix in my mind that the covenant is ultimately about faithful action over and above the making of many books. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... vi SECTION I: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 2. DEFENDING POLITICAL THEOLOGY ..................................................................... 12 3. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................ 38 SECTION II: THE POLITICAL THEORY OF THE COVENANT DEVICE CHAPTER 4. THE BIBLICAL COVENANTS ..................................................................................... 59 5. DANIEL ELAZAR'S STUDIES OF POLITICAL COVENANTING .......................... 75 6. THE JEWISH POLITICAL THEOLOGY OF DAVID NOVAK ............................... 102 SECTION III: REFORMED POLITICAL THEOLOGY CHAPTER 7. REVIVAL OF THE COVENANT IN REFORMED THEOLOGY ........................... 128 8. REFORMED POLITICAL THEOLOGY: THE COVENANT AS POLITICS ......... 158 9. THE CASE OF THE BRITISH WARS: COVENANT AND ESCHATOLOGY ...... 181 10. NATURAL LAW IN REFORMED POLITICAL THEOLOGY .............................. 209 11. NATURAL RIGHT IN REFORMED POLITICAL THEOLOGY ........................... 234 SECTION IV: THE AMERICAN COVENANT CHAPTER 12. THE COVENANT DEVICE IN AMERICA ............................................................. 255 SECTION V:CONCLUSION CHAPTER 13. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................ 288 WORKS CITED ................................................................................................................. 302 VITA ................................................................................................................................ 322 v ABSTRACT This dissertation provides an historical and theoretical inquiry into “covenants” as a device within Anglo-American political theory. It includes an overview of Biblical covenants which are the source of the covenant device, together with an analysis of subsequent application by early modern and contemporary political theorists. I demonstrate that this revealed political theology, moderated by the political traditions of salus populi and natural law, provides support for contemporary political imperatives of liberty while avoiding both the terrors of gnostic political religion and the inevitable moral and political failure of natural political theology. The argument begins with an examination of contemporary covenantal theory in the scholarship of Daniel Elazar and David Novak. I then turn to the revival of the covenant device during the British Reformation and American colonial experience. As background, the dissertation surveys Calvin, Bullinger, Buchanan, Knox, Goodman, Mornay, and Rutherford (among others) and their prescriptions for the form of government and for resistance theory. I also examine important events during the British Civil Wars and the implications of the covenant device therein. Reformed theologians demonstrate both unity and diversity in their approach to political questions. In formulating political theory around the covenant device, they collectively create a provocative and valuable political theology par excellence with important implications for liberalism, republicanism, and constitutionalism. The dissertation pays close attention to the ways in which theological differences had explicit and implicit consequence for political theory. Those differences include the varying approaches of Reformed theologians to the covenants of works and grace respectively, the visible and invisible Church, and the accommodation of natural law, common law, and natural right. vi SECTION I INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Subject of the Dissertation This dissertation provides an exploration of “covenants” as a device used within the development of Anglo-American political theology and political theory. It researches the covenant device both historically and theoretically. The covenant device is ultimately derived from the Bible and from systematic theologies. It is a theological concept with implications for political theory. The dissertation is therefore primarily a study of political theology 1.2 Political Theology Defined The term used to categorize this study, “political theology,” requires some explanation. A brief defense of the term may be helpful, including my choice to use it instead of the term
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