Conscience and Law (Classic Reprint)

Rufus W. Clark

ISBN 10: 1330750152 / ISBN 13: 9781330750155

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book explores the complex relationship between conscience, human law, and religious duty. The author argues that while it is important to obey human governments, there are instances when we must follow our moral compass, even if it means breaking the law. The author draws on historical examples, such as the early Christians' refusal to fight in the Roman army, to illustrate the importance of adhering to one's conscience. The book also discusses the tension between the need to maintain social order and the individual's right to act in accordance with their beliefs. Ultimately, the author argues that we must strive to balance our responsibilities to both God and society, and that in doing so, we can create a more just and compassionate world. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781330750155_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Conscience and Law (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330750152
• ISBN 13: 9781330750155
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Christianity

About this title

Synopsis

Conscience vs. law: a call to moral courage in the face of unjust policy.

This 1851 sermon argues that government and law are rooted in divine authority, not mere political will. It urges readers to place God’s commandments above human edicts and to test laws by conscience, especially when those laws threaten justice or human freedom. The work challenges readers to navigate conflicts between civil duty and moral duty without surrendering core Christian principles.

In this edition, the author examines how private judgment, reverence for law, and the idea of a higher law interact with debates over slavery and public policy. It uses historical examples to show how Christians have faced painful choices when civil powers clash with the Gospel’s ethics. The tract invites readers to reflect on personal responsibility, political participation, and the limits of government authority.

• How divine authority and civil law relate in a free republic
• Why conscience should guide actions when laws conflict with moral duty
• The role of private judgment in political and religious life
• Historical examples of faith communities resisting unjust laws

Ideal for readers interested in history, theology, constitutional debates, and moral philosophy, this discourse speaks to questions of liberty, responsibility, and justice.