Doctrine Detail

Restraint of civil authority

Voted yea for a coercive power that fails a scriptural command current law does not fail.

Back to Doctrine Overview

Rankings updated October 26, 2026, 11:44 AM ET · Votes through September 30, 2026
Exported candidates: 719 | Filings on file, by office: H: 5838 | P: 1467 | S: 1567. These counts include every filing for that office, so they are larger than the ranked list. One person can have more than one filing. Non-voting delegates are left out.

restraint_civil_authority

Restraint of civil authority

Tier 2 - Grave Compromise

Voted yea for a coercive power that fails a scriptural command current law does not fail.

Principle: Romans 13:3-4, Romans 13:6-7, Romans 3:8, Deuteronomy 19:15-18, Deuteronomy 25:1-3, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Deuteronomy 1:16-17, Deuteronomy 25:13-16, Proverbs 18:17, Proverbs 17:15, Proverbs 24:24-25, Ecclesiastes 8:11, 1 Samuel 12:3-5, 1 Samuel 8:11-17, Leviticus 24:12, Numbers 15:34, WCF 20.4, WCF 23.1, WLC 144-145

Scripture: Romans 13:3-4, Romans 13:6-7, Romans 3:8, Deuteronomy 19:15-18, Deuteronomy 25:1-3, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Deuteronomy 1:16-17, Deuteronomy 25:13-16, Proverbs 18:17, Proverbs 17:15, Proverbs 24:24-25, Ecclesiastes 8:11, 1 Samuel 12:3-5, 1 Samuel 8:11-17, Leviticus 24:12, Numbers 15:34, WCF 20.4, WCF 23.1, WLC 144-145

Reformed rationale: WCF 20.4 and WCF 23.1. The magistrate's sword and tribute are assigned and limited. Yea is graded as the bill enacted and nay as current law, by the same five tests. A good aim does not justify the means (Romans 3:8). Fit is prudential and does not by itself penalize.