Lesser magistrate doctrine helps locals defy evil acts by high officials
This drawing shows the sack of Madgeburg by papal forces in 1550, the city defended under the doctrine of the lesser magistrate. (Photo of drawing by Johann Philipp Abelin, 1646, Wikimedia) This coming Oct. 31 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. On that day 500 years ago – October 31st, 1517 – Martin Luther nailed […]
Judge frees Gaddy as city accepts engineer report giving house 100% grade
Stephen Greer, city attorney, fought to obtain access to private property though no criminal warrant has been filed in a 2 1/2-year-old fight against two elderly homeowners instituted by Dunlap, Tenn., mayor Dwain Land outside regular legal process. (Photo David Tulis) Carol Gaddy was freed Friday from jail after having served 14 days on a contempt […]
Churches should create own courts, offer justice
The Christian church, with God’s grace and God’s law generously granted it, is the natural repository of godly wisdom and justice. Why not, then, consider the creating of church courts to handle disputes among Christians, and others, as well? The authority is 1 Corinthians 6:1 ff. “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, […]
All education is selective, not comprehensive
Strong support for Tennessee’s defeated marriage interposition bill came from Rev. Matt Trewhella, a man rich in children and author of the book The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrate. (Photo Matt Trewhella) I spend much time out on university campuses preaching. I often have some of my children with me when I do so. The […]
Double whammy: Hirsch rips gun law, says cops act outside law in traffic cases
Jay Hirsch after arguing his right-to-travel and right-to-bear-arms case before a three-judge panel of the Tennessee criminal court of appeals. (Photo David Tulis) NASHVILLE, July 18, 2017 — A criminal court of appeals today hears arguments from a 65-year-old laborer in Middle Tennessee who says that the gun statute is unconstitutional because it is vague […]
Despite patriotic nostalgia, Dayton rally urges Christians to restore order
Re-enactor Jim Maddox recites the declaration of independence at a God and country rally in the Scopes monkey trial courtroom in Dayton, Tenn., just as a bit of tape loses its grip on a patriotic plastic banner. (Photo David Tulis) State Sen. Mae Beavers, a candidate for Tennessee governor, rises to give a brief oration […]
Favors open to decentralized solution to 5 broken schools
YOUR LOCOCENTRISM IS SHOWING — State Rep. JoAnne Favors analyzes a proposed state takeover of five “failing” Chattanooga-area state schools, objecting to a top-down alliance that puts a Massachussetts organization in the driver’s seat. Mrs. Favors, a Democrat, is open to nontraditional solutions if they can be brought to bear by LOCAL people, despite a […]
Citizen commission could highlight crimes by state actors
State oversight of police officers is lax under the auspices of Hamilton County district attorney Neal Pinkston, and city police officers such as these readily escape responsibility for acts upon the citizenry that are torts and crimes, as in the Hanson Melvin case. (Photo Wdef.com) Does Chattanooga need a private commission to review abuses by […]
To become great, city must slash official violence
Flags noting the deaths of Americans in federal wars fly across Chattanooga today, and in front of city hall in Soddy-Daisy, in north Hamilton County. (Photo David Tulis) To make Chattanooga a great city, residents should consider the extent to which they will accept the use of official violence in the city. By David Tulis […]
Why rulers promote a pietistic form of Christianity
Franklin Graham is right about many things, including abortion, Islam and the failings of the Republican party. But he also extends the claims of privatized Christianity and pietism into the hearts of listeners in Chattanooga and elsewhere. Pietism was a movement which originated in the late 17th century. Pietists believe Christianity or God’s Law has no […]