Christ Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“It is manifest therefore that they who have sovereign power, are immediate rulers of the church under Christ, and all others but subordinate to them. If that were not, but kings should command one thing upon pain of death, and priests another upon pain of damnation, it would be impossible that peace and religion should stand together.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Leviathan, 1651
Sovereign power must control both church and state to maintain peace; conflicting authorities cause disorder.
In simple terms: Unified authority prevents conflict between church and state.
Key Takeaway
Support a single governing authority.
Themes
politics
religion
authority
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- legal systems
- religious institutions
- public order
Key Concepts
social contract
state control
religious authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a single authority always beneficial?
- How to balance religious freedom with state control?
A Different Perspective
Centralized power can suppress individual freedoms.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
