“The question of religious freedom is who should have regulatory power over religion. If you believe religion shouldn’t be regulated by the state, then you believe in religious freedom.”
I do believe that religion should be regulated by the State as the State is in submission to and so regulated by Jesus Christ. If a State is not in submission to Jesus Christ then the State should not regulate religion.
Moore likewise believes that religion should be regulated by the state. The only difference between Moore and me on this subject is that I desire a Christian state to regulate religion in a Christian direction while Moore desires the pagan state to make sure and regulate religion so that Christianity can not have the ascendency. So, while Moore chirps about “freedom of religion” in reality Moore is a thoroughgoing Erastian and Constantinian just as much as I am. The only difference is that Moore wants to make sure that the State regulates religion so that Christianity is not allowed to be ascendant and I want to make sure the State regulates religion so that paganism of whatever stripe is not allowed to be ascendant.
Moore, by taking this position, demonstrates his hatred for Jesus Christ and His Lordship overall. If Jesus Christ is Lord over all then all Governments as well as all men have the need to bow to the authority of Jesus Christ and so craft laws forbidding the extension of false religions in the land. This is the historic Reformed position as seen in our original Reformed documents
Westminster Confession of Faith
3. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven:a yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed.b For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.c
a. 2 Chron 2:8 • b. Isa 49:23 • c. 2 Chron 19:8
And their office is, not only to have regard unto, and watch for the welfare of the civil state; but also that they protect the sacred ministry; and thus may remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship (see note below); that the kingdom of anti-Christ may be thus destroyed and the kingdom of Christ promoted. They must therefore countenance the preaching of the Word of the gospel everywhere, that God may be honored and worshipped by every one, as He commanded in His Word.
Moreover, it is the bounden duty of everyone, of what state, quality, or condition so ever he may be, to subject himself to the magistrates; to pay tribute, to show due honor and respect to them, and to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the Word of God; to supplicate for them in their prayers, that God may rule and guide them in all their ways, and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Wherefore we detest the Anabaptists and other seditious people, and in general all those who reject the higher powers and magistrates, and would subvert justice, introduce community of goods, and confound that decency and good order, which God hath established among men.
Russell Moore reminds us why it is that the Belgic Confession of faith wrote about detesting the Anabaptists and other seditious people. It is the Anabaptist mindset of Moore on this subject wherein the sedition is found. Moore, by his advocacy of pluralism, is advocating insurrection and rebellion (sedition) against the authority of the King of Kings; The Lord Jesus Christ.
