The Gospel Liberty Party Platform

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is not merely the Lord of our personal lives, homes, and families. The resurrected Jesus rules over both heaven and earth. He rules over the immaterial and material realms. Ephesians 1:21-22 says Jesus is seated

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And [God the Father] put all things under [Jesus’s] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.

Jesus is head over all things. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18). God addresses rulers of nations in Psalm 2:10-12 and tells them to surrender to Jesus:

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way.

Colossians 1:20 says Jesus is reconciling “to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” So although it may sound holier to divorce Jesus from the physical realm, it is actually not biblical. Jesus is head over the immaterial and the material; he is the Lord of all. The theologian Abraham Kuyper summed up the Bible’s teaching on this topic by famously saying, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”[1]

There are many practical implications of this glorious truth. First, although the Bible is not a textbook on automobile maintenance, artistic theory, politics, or spreadsheets, none of these things are unrelated to Jesus Christ. We cannot ultimately separate things into sacred and secular. The whole world is holy and sacred, and it all belongs to Christ.

Second, the truth that Christ is Lord of all means that there is no such thing as neutrality. Jesus is not indifferent about anything. We can never live in a neutral way. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matt 12:30). We are either honoring Christ in how we are thinking, feeling, and acting, or we are dishonoring him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7). “In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). The verse does not say some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. It does not say that only the explicitly religious or spiritual treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.[2]

            At the present time, there is no major political party that explicitly submits to Jesus Christ, and seeks for his beautiful Word to go forth into the civil sphere. The purpose of this party is to change that. We want to provide a home for those who no longer wish to compromise regarding central political issues, and want to submit to Christ’s Lordship in the political sphere. Christ is Lord. We are his followers. Let us follow him in his plans for civil governments and societies.

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Section 1: Jesus Christ is Lord of Civil Government and Civil Society

We affirm that Jesus Christ is Lord over all of life, including civil government and civil society (Romans 13:4; Colossians 1:16-17). The Bible, as God’s infallible Word, is the ultimate authority for determining how society should function (2 Timothy 3:16-17). All civil laws must align with the principles and precepts revealed in the Bible. All civil government constitutions at all levels should explicitly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, including civil governments (Revelation 1:5).

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Section 2: The Purpose of Civil Government

The civil government is ordained by God to act as a minister of justice, punishing criminals, protecting the righteous, and promoting the good as defined by Scripture (Romans 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:14). It does not possess a mercy or parental role of actively providing goods or services to citizens or sojourners. Its scope of authority and responsibility must remain limited to what is explicitly delegated to it by Scripture.

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Section 3: The Difference Between Sins and Crimes

All crimes are sins, but not all sins are crimes. Sin is any violation of God’s moral law, while crimes are acts that harm the person or property of another, and therefore warrant civil government penalty. Civil government must prosecute only those actions defined as crimes in the judicial laws of Scripture.

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Section 4: Local Civil Government

We emphasize decentralized governance, advocating for local authorities to exercise primary jurisdiction in their communities (Exodus 18:21). National power should be minimized to avoid tyranny and promote accountability.

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Section 5: Obtaining Citizenship, the Right to Vote, and Holding Elected Office

Citizenship must only be granted to those who have assimilated to the language (English), laws, customs, and religion of the nation (Ruth 1:16-17). At a minimum, a person must profess to sincerely believe the Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and receive baptism in the name of the Triune God in order to obtain citizenship, the right to vote and influence policy, and hold public office (Exodus 12:48-49; 18:21; Isaiah 56:3-8; Deuteronomy 23:7-8). Dual-citizenship must not be allowed (Matthew 6:24).

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Section 6: State Sovereignty and the Right of Secession

We affirm the rights of the States of the union to govern themselves under God’s law. We recognize the biblical and constitutional right of secession for any reason, especially when civil authorities defy God’s law and no longer serve the well-being of the citizens as defined by God’s Word (Psalms 2:10-12; 1 Kings 12:16).

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Section 7: Penalties for Crimes

The modern prison system is pagan and unjust. Civil government punishments must fit the crime, and be based on the just principles of similar measure, restitution, and restoration. The aim must be to make the offended party whole as much as possible and punish the criminal, which serves to prevent or discourage future crimes (Exodus 21:18-20, 33-36; 22:1-15; Leviticus 24:19-20). Capital punishment must be utilized for capital offenses (Genesis 9:6). All penalties for crimes should be informed by the general principle of the civil laws found in God’s Word.

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Section 8: Public and Private False Worship

The civil government cannot compel true faith in Jesus Christ, and should not attempt to do so (Romans 10:9-10). Liberty of conscience must be preserved (Romans 14:12). However, public worship and promotion of false gods, as well as non-Christian religious symbols in the public square, harm the citizenry and therefore warrant civil government penalties (Psalms 33:12; Proverbs 14:34).

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Section 9: Sanctity of Life

Human life, created in God’s image, must be protected from conception to natural death (Genesis 1:27). Abortion, euthanasia, and other unjust killing are crimes warranting legal prohibition and punishment (Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25).

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Section 10: Family

The family is the foundational institution of society, established by God (Genesis 1:28; 2:24). We oppose any civil interference in the God-given roles of husbands, wives, and children. Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, and parental authority must be protected from undue civil government intrusion (Ephesians 5:22-6:4). Only citizens who are in a biblical marriage covenant should be allowed to adopt children.

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Section 11: Education (Rights of Parents)

Education is the responsibility of parents, not the state. We oppose civil government-mandated curricula and advocate for Christian homeschooling or other private Christian education as primary modes of instruction (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 1:7).

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Section 12: Foreign Policy

Foreign relations must prioritize justice and peaceful cooperation, avoiding entangling alliances or imperial ambitions (Proverbs 16:7; Exodus 23:32-33; Zechariah 9:10). Any foreign aid should be provided through voluntary private charity of private citizens rather than state coercion (2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

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Section 13: National Defense and Just War

Civil government must provide for the defense of its people but is bound by the biblical principles of just war (Deuteronomy 20; 28:7; Luke 3:14). Aggressive wars of conquest, or wars for purposes other than direct homeland defense, are forbidden; defense must be proportional and aimed at restoring peace (Proverbs 3:29-30; Habakkuk 2:12; Romans 12:18; Exodus 21:23-25).

 

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Section 14: Conscription

Mandatory military service is contrary to biblical principles of individual liberty. Participation in defense must be voluntary, respecting the conscience of each person (Deuteronomy 20:8).

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Section 15: The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

The right to self-defense is biblically grounded (Exodus 22:2; Luke 22:36). Citizens should have the freedom to own and carry arms (Nehemiah 4:18).

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Section 16: The Drug War

While addiction and substance abuse are sins requiring pastoral care and personal repentance, criminalizing voluntary consumption exceeds the jurisdiction of civil government. Laws should focus on addressing harm caused to others.

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Section 17: Environmental Issues

Humans are stewards of God’s creation, tasked with cultivating and preserving what God has made (Genesis 1:28; 2:15; Job 12:7-10). Recognizing and protecting private property encourages responsible care for resources, ensuring the environment is managed wisely and sustainably (Exodus 20:15; Isaiah 24:4-6). Environmental policy should balance care for the earth with the responsible use of resources for human flourishing, avoiding both exploitation that harms life and property, and environmentalism rooted in non-Christian worldviews (Deuteronomy 20:19-20; Proverbs 12:10; Romans 1:25).

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Section 18: Immigration

Nations are extensions of families, with shared land, ancestry, language, laws, customs, and religion (Genesis 10; Deuteronomy 4:5-8). No one is born with an inherent right to become a citizen of another nation. Immigration policies must protect a nation’s cultural integrity (Acts 17:26; Romans 13:4). Immigrants must abide by the laws of the land and assimilate to its values (Ruth 1:16-17).

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Section 19: Taxation

Taxation must be limited to a flat, equitable rate (e.g., a tithe-based system) that avoids overburdening citizens (1 Samuel 8:10-18; Malachi 3:10). Progressive taxation is unjust and unbiblical.

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Section 20: The Free Market

A free-market economic system reflects biblical principles of stewardship, private property, and voluntary exchange (Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 25:10). It rewards hard work, discourages envy, and limits civil government to its God-ordained role. By honoring God's law, rejecting coercive wealth redistribution, and avoiding unjust business regulation, the free market enables families and communities to flourish under God's providential order.

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Section 21: Social Security and Civil Government Welfare Programs

All welfare and social security systems must transition from coercive civil government programs to voluntary family- and church-based care (2 Corinthians 9:7). Families, the Church, and communities should be the providers for the elderly and needy (1 Timothy 5:1-16; Luke 10:25-37).

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Section 22: Money and Fiat Currency

Money is a universally accepted medium of exchange that emerges from voluntary market interactions and satisfies the need for indirect trade. Gold has been money since God created the world (Genesis 2:11-12; 13:2), and any taxes owed should be paid in denominations of gold. We oppose all attempts of civil government to implement fiat currency systems and advocate for a return to honest weights and measures in economic transactions (Proverbs 11:1).

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Section 23: Protection of Private Property

Private property is a biblical right (Exodus 20:15). Civil government must safeguard property rights and punish theft or unjust seizure, and avoid eminent domain (1 Kings 21:1-16).

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Section 24: Enforcement of Private Contracts

The civil government must enforce private contracts to uphold justice, protect property rights (Exodus 20:15), and maintain societal trust. Scripture emphasizes honoring vows and agreements (Psalm 15:4; Leviticus 19:13; Proverbs 6:1-5). Breaches of contract equate to the crime of theft or fraud, warranting enforcement to ensure accountability and a godly economic order rooted in integrity.

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Section 25: Wage and Price Controls

We reject wage and price controls, recognizing the free market as a reflection of God’s providence over a society for the greatest benefit of the citizens (Matthew 20:1-15).

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Section 26: Tariffs and Trade

Civil government should promote trade policies with other nations that both support domestic industries and allow for the economic prosperity of its citizens. Trade with other nations should generally be allowed (1 Kings 10:22). However, due to other considerations such as national security and cultural cohesion, the principle of free trade should never be absolute (Proverbs 22:3; Ezra 4:1-3; Nehemiah 4:7-9).

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Section 27: Healthcare

Healthcare should be provided by families, the Church, and local communities rather than centralized civil government systems (1 Timothy 5:8; Matthew 25:35-36; Luke 10:33-35; Leviticus 19:9-10).

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[1] Abraham Kuyper, Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader, ed. James D. Bratt (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998), 488. See Ps 24:1; Exod 9:29; 1 Cor 10:26.

[2] The text above is from John Kuyper Liberty, Gospel Theology: God’s Good News for Everything (Bloomington, IN: Westbow Press, 2021), 406-407.