Four Theonomic Prohibitions of Socialism

3. The Sixth Commandment (Thou shalt not kill)


The fundamental definition of the State is that institution which monopolistically enforces its desires with the ultimate political power: death, both in war and in capital punishment. This power of death is symbolized as “the sword.”

Resistance to the State’s attempts to regulate or tax will also be met with the full power of the State. While the use of tanks and helicopters against the “Branch Davidians” in Waco, Texas, to enforce payment of a small firearms tax might be said to be an “abuse” or inefficient use of the final political power, it is clear that the State will escalate its use of force to match and then exceed any force used in defense against its aggression. In short, the State will kill in order to enforce its decrees.

The Westminster Larger Catechism - Exposition of the Sixth Commandment

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