Replies

You wrote:

“Then Francis Beckwith was wrong on both counts.”

No, he’s right on both counts.

“The goal of the church is NOT ‘to advance the public good’,”

Yes, it is - salvation is for the public good.

“...but what God predestined for her:”

Like I said - salvation is for the public good. I can’t believe that I have to tell that to a man who claims Christ as His Saviour, but apparently I do. Salvation is good for people. The only way Beckwith could be wrong is if salvation is bad for people and only a moron would say that.

“If enough people in a country follow God, it will also be for the common good, but that is NOT why the church exists!”

Yes, it is. Again, the Church was founded for our salvation to preach the gospel and give us the sacraments of grace. Salvation is good for us.

“Nor is it why governments exist.”

Yes, it is.

“It is why demagogic politicians PRETEND government exists,”

No. I know of no Christian government that is also ‘demagogic’ that believes it must advance the public good. Can you name one? Come to think of it, can you name ONE Christian state other than Vatican City, period?

“...but the history of governments is not one of seeking common good, but advancing the cause of a few over all the rest.”

That’s often the result. That is not what Beckwith is talking about. I wish Protestants were better educated so this basic stuff wouldn’t have to be explained. If you’re a Christian, and believe all things must be retored in Christ, then you must believe that that applies to states too. And when you have heaven as your ultimate goal, then that means the Christian must envision the state’s roll as ensuring the public good since that most enables people in human society with opportunities to pursue holiness.

With all of that in mind, look at this passage from an article Beckwith wrote several years ago:

According to John Paul, a democratic regime, whose purpose is to do justice by treating all human beings under its authority with equal regard, cannot do so without embracing certain fundamental moral truths as foundational to its institutions and laws: “the dignity of every human person, respect for inviolable and inalienable human rights, and the adoption of the ‘common good’ as the end and criterion regulating political life.”

This means that governments that permit (much less encourage) abortion-on-demand and suicide, and do not protect (much less undermine) the institutions of marriage and the family, do not advance the cause of liberal democracy, because they are in fact violating its essential principles. For abortion-on-demand and suicide are inconsistent with the dignity of the person, and marriage and the family are necessary for the common good.
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-05-019-v
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As Joseph McGee wrote explain Aquinas’ understanding of the common good:

The common good, for Aquinas, is that for which human society exists, it is the purpose of the human community. In absolute terms, Aquinas believes that human society, like everything else, exists to glorify God. Relative to the members of the human society, it exists for full flourishing of all of the members. That flourishing, that good of each individual, is dictated by the natural law. It is dictated by what reason determines to be the end or ends toward which God has determined every human to be directed according to his or her rational nature.
http://www.aquinasonline.com/Questions/relatvsm.html

Do you get it yet?

Why do we exist? Ultimately we exist to glorify God. That’s our purpose.

Why does human society exist? Ultmately it exists to glorify God. That’s its purpose.

Why does the state exist? Ultimately it exists to glorify God. That’s its purpose.

How do we best glorify God? By obeying His will, living like His Son and spending eternity with Him. We call that SALVATION.

How does the state best glorify God? By obeying His will, acting like Christ, and aiding people in living good, productive, edifying lives here and in aiding them in their hopes of salvation.

The fact that we - and the state - often fall short of our purpose only reminds us we must restore all things in Christ.

“Common good is NOT what Obama is attempting!”

We agree. And Beckwith would agree with the two of us on that as well.

A GOAL is not a side-effect. The goal of a medicine is reduced blood pressure, and a side effect may be weight loss. The side effect in this case may be desirable, but it is not the reason for taking the medication.

“Yes, it is - salvation is for the public good.”

Salvation has some good side effects for the public, but salvation is something for individuals. The more saved individuals there are, the freer a society can be - but salvation is for individuals, not society as a whole.

“The only way Beckwith could be wrong is if salvation is bad for people and only a moron would say that.”

No, Beckwith would be wrong if the goal of the church is something other than ‘common good’. Only a moron mistakes goal for side effect.

“If you’re a Christian, and believe all things must be retored in Christ, then you must believe that that applies to states too.”

EVENTUALLY, Christ will establish his reign. State governments are not restored, but removed when He comes. States and governments are not born again - only individuals.

“In absolute terms, Aquinas believes that human society, like everything else, exists to glorify God.”

Sounds like Aquinas needed to contemplate the fall of man, and ALL of man’s institutions.

“Why does the state exist? Ultimately it exists to glorify God.”

Nope. The nations rage against God. “15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”