[with courtesy copies to the Police Ministers in each jurisdiction, and to all the Senators in the Australian Federal Parliament]

27^th July 2024

From: Neil van der Wel, Clerk, Reformation Presbyterian Church, Australian Presbytery.

To: The Premiers and Chief Ministers of the various Australian States and Territories.

Cc: The Police Ministers in the various Australian States and Territories; the Senators in the Australian Federal Parliament.

Dear Premiers and Ministers,

I am writing to you as the Clerk of Reformation Presbyterian Church, Australian Presbytery, and at the direction of this Presbytery, which represents one small branch of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Church in this land of Australia.

We acknowledge the lawful authority you have received from God, who is the Maker of heaven and earth (Genesis 1 and 2), and “the Governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28). Ultimately, you are in office and have authority because God in His Providence has given it – “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17); and because God Himself has designed and instituted civil government among men – “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1).

We are thankful for God’s ordinance of civil rule and rulers (e.g. Romans 13:1-7), and would assure you, and those who govern with you, of our frequent prayers for you in accordance with God’s command in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

The reason for this letter is to exhort you to uphold true justice in this nation – justice being defined by the Moral Law of God as summed up in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Indeed, this is the chief duty given to you as civil rulers by God. Romans 13:4 says of the civil ruler: “For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” 1 Peter 2:14 says that the role of governors is “for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Therefore, as per 2 Samuel 23:3, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”

We submit to you, however, that your governments have been very negligent in fulfilling this duty. There is great and widespread outcry in the nation at present over domestic violence rates. We could also speak of gang violence, youth crime, theft and property damage, drug peddling and usage. It is needless to cite statistics in these and other areas – the proportions are increasing and outrageous.

Your duty under God is not education, social work or rehabilitation. Your duty is to punish criminals (using just and equal systems), and to ensure that victims are protected and recompensed. God has given you this responsibility in His Word, the Bible, and He teaches how this can and should be done. The Bible holds out three basic instruments for the administration of justice, only rarely using imprisonment (even then ordinarily as a ‘holding’ until sentence is passed, rather than as a sentence – see Numbers 15:34 and Ezra 7:26). If you use these instruments, legislating and enforcing accordingly, justice will be served, criminals will be deterred, society will be safer and more prosperous, and God will be glorified. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

1. Restitution.

Those who have stolen from others, and/or damaged the property or persons of others, are required to make repayment. There is financial penalty for the criminal and compensation for the victim. This is justice, as well as being educational for the criminal, and a deterrent to others. The burden of crime (especially theft and property damage and bodily damage) is thus moved from the victim and society onto the criminal (who is also forced to work to pay his debts and thereby learns to work).

• See Exodus 22:7, “If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.” And Proverbs 6:30-31, “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.” (Read Exodus 21:18-22:15; Leviticus 6:2-5).

2. Corporal punishment.

Those who harm others deserve to receive comparable harm themselves. Thus the criminal is penalized proportionately for the crime committed. It is just, simultaneously punishing and educating the criminal, while also deterring others from similar crimes. It further brings closure to the victims.

• See Exodus 21:23-25, “And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” And Deuteronomy 25:2-3, “And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.” (Read Deuteronomy 19:16-21; Proverbs 10:13; 17:10; 19:29; 26:3; Luke 12:47-48).

3. Capital punishment.

Capital punishment is required at the very least for murder. This is justice and also a deterrent to others. It further brings closure to the family and friends of the victims, including the comfort of being safe from the murderer/s of their loved one.

• See Genesis 9:5-6, “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” And Deuteronomy 17:6, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” (Read Numbers 35:30-34; Ezra 7:26; Acts 25:10-11; Romans 13:4).

We would add that, for the criminals, knowledge of their coming execution is opportunity for them to repent and turn to God, in whom they can find forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that civil rulers are personally accountable to God for their duties whilst in office (2 Chronicles 19:5-7; Psalm 2:10-12). In the name of Christ, therefore, we would exhort you to repent of your present negligence in the administration of justice in the States and Territories of Australia. The words of Ecclesiastes 8:11 aptly describe this country today – “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

Seek God’s mercy in Jesus Christ, submit yourselves to His law, take up the instruments He has given, and endeavour, as rulers, to do what is just and right. This will be for the good of this nation and to the glory of God.

If you wish to understand more of the teaching of God’s Word relating to these things, you are welcome to contact our Presbytery via its Clerk.

Humbly yours,

Neil van der Wel

Clerk of Presbytery, Reformation Presbyterian Church, Australian Presbytery