It was the freedom of Oxford that sustained Wyclif.” The concern was less with church or state than with government by the law-word of God.īrin has said, of the Hebrew social order, that it differed from all others in that it was believed to be grounded on and governed by the law of God, who gave it specifically for man’s government. At this point, Heer is right in saying that “Wyclif and Hus were the first to demonstrate to Europe the possibility of an alliance between the university and the people’s yearning for salvation. That law should be God’s law was held by all Wycliffe’s departure from accepted opinion was that the people themselves should not only read and know that law but also should in some sense govern as well as be governed by it. When Wycliffe wrote of his English Bible that “This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” his statement attracted no attention insofar as his emphasis on the centrality of Biblical law was concerned. Many other friends have, by their encouragement and help, made my work possible, and, to one and all, I am deeply grateful. Thoburn supplied me with several books which were helpful. Blumert, who in more ways than one has been a source of encouragement. Many of the ideas developed in this study were discussed at times with Burton S. The typing and proofreading have been done by my beloved wife, Dorothy, whose thinking and questioning have greatly furthered this study. The indexing is the work of Bernard Ladouceur. The faithful work of the Chalcedon Guild is undergirding the publication of this and other Chalcedon Studies. North Jr., my associate Gary North, and many others. Various persons have contributed generously to the Chalcedon publication fund, and have made this study possible: Frederick Vreeland, Keith Harnish, Mrs. 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. 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. Stewardship, Investment, and Usury: Financing the Kingdom of God.The Responsibility of Judges and Rulers.The Rights of Strangers, Widows, and Orphans.Origins of the State: Its Prophetic Offices.The First Commandment and the Shema Israel.Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2019956635 No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise - except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Book design and indexing of the 2020 edition by Diakonia Book works