1,100+ ratings. Here's what readers say.

This is a great book that is so helpful. Trewhella outlines how this doctrine has been implemented many times in the Bible and in history, and how we can use it today. He reminds us that tyrants always depend on lower ranking magistrates to carry out their nefarious orders. If officials refuse to carry them out, they are stopped. ... Every American should read this book.

Such an important book for our times! Happy to see it available in audio form. We have purchased and given away many of these books. :-) Our church has used it as a home group study book for our small groups.

This is simply a must read for any person of faith who, deep within, senses something is not right with prevalent theology of the role of the church as it relates to civil affairs and obedience... It told me everything I knew in my gut, but which I didn't have well formalized or have a solid grip on any historical basis for my thoughts.

This book is the best entry point for getting the broad contours of the doctrine from both Scripture and history. ... If you want to know what tyranny is and how it should be dealt with, this is a good place to begin. I am going to give it to my sons and may pass it out to family and friends as well.

Excellent! This is a book I wish was in the hands of every Christian, especially pastors, in 2020 when the state commanded us to shut down our economy and churches. ... I highly recommend it for pastors, magistrates, police officers, etc.

This book clearly defines the boundary of authority the government has in the life of a Christian (and anyone with any authority), and also clearly identifies the responsibilities of a Christian to respond when government steps outside its God-given boundaries.

Presents a strong and clear Biblical case for the doctrine of the lesser magistrate. Also gives historical context. ... Buy two, one for yourself and one for your local lesser magistrate!

The culture has infested the Church, causing her to be impotent and afraid of conflict. By abdicating its biblical role as a check and balance on the State, the Church has allowed wolves to abuse the sheep... The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrate is a biblical concept that promotes the respect for law.

We as citizens need to know when to submit, and when to stand up. One book that has made an impact on a biblical understanding of our role and responsibility as citizens is “The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates” by Matthew Trewhella.

This should be required reading for high school students and especially Christians. Trewhella gives a clear, easy to understand explanation of the right and duty of everyone in a position of authority to resist and disobey laws which are contrary to God's law.

An outstanding book... It clears up misconceptions about Romans 13, and makes clear through biblical and historical examples, our responsibility to resist tyrants.

Great book, easy to read, very informative. A must read for every Christian! Very educational on how to formulate a proper Christian response to a tyrannical government in our day and age.

I only gave it five stars because I couldn't give it more. This is an excellent primer and category former of forgotten teachings of the Christian and local/national civic responsibility.

Very fine introduction to an essential doctrine. A lot of people need to get and read this book.

Great, short, simple, clear primer on the doctrine of the lesser magistrates. ... The kind of book you want to have a few copies on hand for giving away.

The subtitle says it all: “A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government.” ... The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates helps us figure that out.

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates is a largely unknown doctrine, rooted deeply in the Bible, natural law, and history. Matthew Trewhella's short book on the doctrine is a great introduction and argument for this doctrine.

It's not obedience to Romans 13 to obey a disobedient ruler. We need to be Christians and citizens, not subjects of capricious and tyrannical rulers. Contact the publisher for a bulk discount and pass these out.

Everyone should read this very important book. Our country is in a full blown crisis, at the brink of collapse. We need lesser magistrates to stand up now.

This is a must read for all God fearing Americans. I opened a Bible to compare what was said in the book. Solid information.

This is a must listen for every Christian confused about our obligations to the State, and where we must disobey.

If you hate the Tyranny of the last two years get this book and get involved.

A must read book for every Christian... Brilliant book. God bless the author.

Well worth reading. Luther benefited from this doctrine. Had Prince Fredrick not protected Luther we would not have a Protestant church today

Excellent read for understanding how patriots can deal with [un]constitutional mandates of out of control authorities.

Excellent! A short read packed with great biblical and historical information. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This is a doctrine I will never forget, and I will share this with everyone I can.

An excellent primer on the subject. A paradigm shifter for those who have not heard of the doctrine. Much needed.

Excellent. Summary and defense of the duty of lesser magistrates to oppose tyranny when the rule of law is subverted. Every American Christian should read this.

A good, short and important read. After listening, I purchased the hard copy so I can put it in my morning basket to read to my kids!

An excellent summary tied with consistent arguments based from scripture and from history. Very convicting.

Rich in history and sound Biblical truth. A loud and much needed call to action.

This was full of excellent and really relevant information that is indisputable. Well done! I cannot recommend this more than I do.

Restoring knowledge that has been forgotten, and not taught in modern day. Let us all stand strong and stand in the gap when magistrates and governments rule unrighteously. May God be with us.

This book is packed with info and you want a time line to keep things straight but the most amazing part is that it is pretty much spot on

Very important book to understand how to address the culture war against christians today. God's law is not changeable.

Lord bless us all with strength & courage to use the tools you have provided us here. In Jesus name Amen

Must read for all Christians. Common sense backed with scripture and application examples for modern day reality

I share this book with everyone and tell them that we should live this out until Christ returns

Not very often do you find a book with information this valuable. A special thanks is due.

Excellent! I'll be referring this book to my friends. God bless you and your family.

Awesome book! Good narration. ... Overall I highly recommend it.

This book is right on point. ... We must obey our Creator. We must turn from madness, seek goodness, and live.

This book does a great job explaining the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrate.

Good introductory / overview to the topic. Digs into enough of the roots of these ideas within the Reformation to give you a next step for some deeper concepts and events.

This book re-introduces a way of thinking and acting that inspires people to turn back the tide of tyranny and godlessness. The author is a student of history.

This book is an excellent overview of the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates and recommended reading for all Christians.

An essential biblical framework for understanding the role of government, the magistrates that government is composed of, and the people.

An excellent introductory book the church is in dire need of.

This short book is really needed today, and the ignorance of this topic among leaders in whatever vocation is one major factor in why the culture is headed over the cliff at the speed of sound.

It's a great book! I highly recommend it.

Good introduction to the concept. Convincing.

It was a very quick read but gave much detail. ... Very interesting stuff!

An excellent and very timely book.

Excellent! This book should be required reading for every student in every school.

Every Christian needs to read this book!

We must defy unbiblical, unconstitutional, immoral laws and place our hope and foundation back on the rock that is Jesus Christ if we want to see real change in this nation. I recommend this book to anyone that is tired of the hamster wheel of empty political promises and status quo leadership and wants to see an end to the injustice and lawnesness that is plaguing our country.

This book is for those who are taking a stand and those who are contemplating taking a stand. To quote the book: "when the superior higher civil authorities makes unjust/immoral laws or decrees, the lesser or lower ranking civil authority has both a right and a duty to refuse obedience to that superior authority." The book outlines both historical and scriptural support for ...

This is the most amazing book that shows the responsibility of those in office to oppose laws that are contrary to the constitution and God’s laws of morality and righteousness. He gives concrete examples of those who have gone against unjust laws and practices by those in power. Sometimes it worked and other times not but it is still our duty to stand for righteousness.

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates recognizes the hierarchical nature of all human organizations, from families to villages to states and nations. Knowing that human beings at the top of any given hierarchy are prone to make mistakes, this book argues that lower-level leaders have a responsibility to protect the people below them from mistakes made On High. ...

For anyone who shares in the frustration of how an over-reaching govt. got to such a point, this book offers a solution. While the "doctrine of lesser magistrates" focuses on a Biblical perspective based on God's law, it basically reflects the remedy of "nullification" from a political perspective. The moral of this book is that "God's law trumps man's law. ...

This book is like a powerful reliable subcompact pistol. It gives examples from real life history, makes the theological justifications from the scriptures and provides insight as to how our government has lost sight of this doctrine. If I were a tyrant with all the power, I would ban this book. It's like a subcompact because it's not over burdensome to read.

Every Christian needs to read this book. Our public education system in America teaches moral relativism and complete acquiescence to the Government. This book corrects the indoctrination of the State and presents a Biblical worldview to restore the Christian to right thinking concerning the relationship between government and the individual. ...

I can't recommend this enough. In fact I would make this required reading for all Christians in regard of how they are to engage the State from a Christian Worldview. If you are looking for a thorough treatment, from the Scriptures and Church History, on how to properly glorify God in the area of Christian Obedience, then this is your book.

Sadly, most Christians have never heard of this doctrine, which was important in a number of Bible incidents and critical to the American Revolution. We need to recapture this doctrine in our day. Trewhella summarizes the doctrine well, providing solid Scriptural basis, its history in Reformed theology, as well as current applications. ...

This is a really good book to read and think about seriously. I don't know exactly where the line is to be drawn but I definitely agree that more local, lesser government officials should not just automatically obey their superiors. He presents a lot of really good biblical arguments and this is an easy read and easy to understand.

I won't say much other than this is arguably the most important work for our times (covid lockdowns and other infringements upon liberty). The Doctrine of Lesser Magistrates and the Magdeburg confession is arguably Lutheranism's greatest legacy to the US in which James Madison himself used to justify the War for Independence. ...

This study of the "Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates" is a mostly overlooked foundational idea underlying a critical element in our Constitution and the nation it created. Federalism is often mentioned, and to some degree explained - but the most important principle underlying federalism is, actually, this doctrine. Read it

This book, along with James M. Willson's exposition of Romans 13:1–7, ought to be read by everyone who wants to have a thoughtful philosophy of submission to governing authorities. I appreciate that the author achieved such a forceful, convincing argument in such a short book. Get it. Read it. Buy one for your local Sheriff.

This book is an eye opening for all those looking for an answer of why is that churches aren't doing anything to counter act the over reaching of the federal government on every aspect of our lives, throwing propaganda to diminish the good morals and values, family unity, value of human life, etc. ...

Great book on the values of God based laws, not to mention those men who had the faith and convictions to courageously stand up for those values even though their own lives were endangered. After reading this book I was moved to begin standing up to the status quo. Scary at times, but rewarding.

This is a timely work for the situations taking place in the world today in the name of a pandemic as leaders, I.e governors and mayors are ruling like tyrants and suppressing the rights of the people. It is well time to stand against those imposing their tyrannical rule to suppress the people.

This was convicting and encouraging. As a mom, I have often wondered how to raise free men and women as the rest of society rejoices in their bondage to sin and lasciviousness. This book was an excellent primer, deeply biblical, and I look forward to reading more of the resources in it. ...

Good book that was a breath of fresh air compared to the submit to goverment without question arguments. Submission does not mean the authorities are always right or that those under that authority are without redress when authority oversteps its bounds. I'll be studying this further. ...

I concur with the other 5 star reviews, this is an excellent book. Our Federal government is corrupt. The lower governments, have a right and duty to resist our corrupt federal government. And if the States don't do their duty, then the Counties have a duty to resist the weak States. ...

There is a mindset among Christians that we should obey the government no matter what. If the government enacts laws that we believe to be immoral and unjust in the eyes of God, it is said, we should nonetheless obey while working to change those laws at the ballot box. ...

All Christians must understand God's Law and act in a fashion that places God's Law before the laws of man. In modern society few people understand this and the result is lack of morality, harmful laws, the absence of God in people's lives, all with no end in sight. ...

The book is well written, easy to read, and well supported with historical and practical illustrations and documentation. The reader will need to read a substantial portion of it to gain an adequate perception of the principles and issues on which it is focused. ...

This book will help you understand the relationship in the hierarchy of power in the governmental super and sub structures. It will give you an idea of how to deal with issues, laws and people. It may just upset some of your preconceived notions. An important read.

This IS the answer. This is the lawful and effective way to restore freedom and bind back encroaching government. This is the manly way to preserve civil freedom, and bring light to hinder unjust "laws." Read it, send it to legislators. Legislators, apply it. ...

If you want to understand what the Bible teaches about a Christian's duty in regards to obedience to the civil government, this is your book. I'll give you one hint....it does not teach unlimited, unquestioned obedience to the state. I'll leave the rest to you!

This book gave me so much hope. We have another choice! Until now, it seemed we had only two: submit to godless tyrants (in Christ's name) or take up revolutionary arms against the cheating overlords (also in Christ's name), neither of which is desired. ...

Written for such times as we live. Everyone should read this but especially anyone holding office on any level in any govt.. Explains the role of the people and Magistrates needing to stand up to tyrants and those in authority who are abusing their power.

I am a big fan of Matt Trewhella and all of the great work he does in fighting for the pre-born and standing against tyranny. I originally read it before the COVID "crisis" and loved it then, but had no idea how much it would be needed in 2020/2021. ...

Every believer needs to read this book, especially during these days of godless tyranny! Thank God for the Reformers, the Church of 1776, and leaders like MLK in the 1960’s. Let the people of God arise before it’s too late. Highly recommend this book!

State and local officials with the backbone to defy and resist tyranny from higher officials. People who will remonstrate then encourage and support them when they take action. This is the hope we have left to avoid a full on tyranny. Good read.

I've come across similar writings and recordings over the decades but this puts it all together with the Biblical background and American history that is true and makes sense. I'll use it as a constant reference in these challenging days.

Outlines the truth that lesser magistrates not only do not need to follow ungodly laws from greater magistrates, but have an obligation to protect their subjects from retaliation by the greater magistrates. Excellent exposition!

Do not be put off by the title. Once the doctrine is simply stated there’s a release of so much practical wisdom that any reader can actually see their role and needed action in making life right. None quite like this subject

Easy to read, convicting and full of wisdom and history. Pastor Trewella doesn't just teach the principles of activism against tyranny, he is committed to it. Some repetition in the book, but not overall, a great read.

Considering the times in which we live, this book provides a well reasoned and Scripturally substantiated answer to the question, "How should the Church behave in the face of an oppressive and wicked government?"

This challenged my thinking and understanding! I found myself checking references and quoted passages and discussing key concepts with others throughout this read. A really excellent presentation on the topic.

This book is very good and gives great information regarding citizens and their true liberty. It is refreshing to have a pastor correctly give biblical truth for Christian citizenship. I highly recommend!

Every Christian needs to read and digest this book. So many misquoted scriptures are used to teach mindless submission to government overarch. This doctrine needs to be heralded from pulpits far and wide.

So far this is an excellent read. I wish this were a book that schools required to be read. I am telling many about this book. Certainly glad I heard about it and wrote down the title to do a search.

This book is a necessity for those who want a solid, biblical, and historical foundation for responding to tyranny. This is not about rebellion but how to respond to tyrants that oppose the law.

This is an outstanding book detailing the history and purpose of a doctrine of law that many are unaware of and it can be the answer to put an end to our overreaching federal government.

I highly recommend this book. It's especially helpful in a day when Tyrants want to rule and the people are left with few options...Interposition Ing is a very important tool in the box

I liked every page of this important information -- every person, including pastors at the pulpit, should read and apply this knowledge to properly resist the tyranny of government. ...

Every once in a while something will come along that stops you in your tracks. This book was one of those times for my husband, myself and many people in our local Tea Party. ...

This book was inspiring for me, because it gave me the historical background needed to continue my efforts to put pressure on politicians who have forgotten for whom they work.

Well done, much needed. Time to stop being and supporting cowards in office or in the pulpit. There is only one standard of justice, only one to whom we must all submit.

Great read. Learned a ton in just the first chapter! He gives references to look into also. This kind of literature should be standard in American households.

This book is the WHY the USA as a Republic has kept us as Individuals FREE. And for anyone that wants to GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS IS THE BOOK!

An important and valuable read for those concerned about the current state of our nation. This topic has been important throughout all of civilized history.

The infancy of modern day liberty! Read it and re-learn what overpowering rule could be and what role our Churches and local officials are suppose to play.

Great dissertation on a very important issue. A must read for Christians who want to know what action can be taken against an invasive civil government.

Absolutely loved this book, I think every freedom loving person should take the time to read and digest this book! I can highly recommend this book!

A must for all Christians and people who love their country. This book will get your mind working and renew a passion for Christ and your country!

This book lays out a course of action that all Americans need to be aware of and support whenever and wherever they have an opportunity to do so.

This is an excellent resource for policeman, police chiefs, sheriffs and sheriffs deputies, as well as individual lovers of liberty everywhere.

Thank you Matt for writing such a great book to be used as a teaching tool for our local magistrates! This is a must read for every citizen!

Matthew Trewhella is a clear thinker and writer, and in this book he has articulated an important teaching that could help save this nation.

This book serves to remind the leaders of our country that they are bound first and foremost to do what is right in the eyes of God. ...

Need to know information presented in an understandable format. If you are a christian and unsure about Romans 13 you should read this.

This is a must read for any Christian. Be reminded that we have an obligation! Very well written, easy to understand, and informative.

Our church leaders are not leading or teaching us truth as it applies to politics, as if God is not God over this area of our lives!

The average person thinks there is nothing they can do about all of the changes that have taken and are taking place in America. ...

Pastor Matt Trewhella wrote a powerful book on the doctrine of Lesser magistrates. Highly recommend everyone read this book.

Too many pastors neglect to preach the full counsel of God's Word, and that includes the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates.

A must read for Christians. Christ is Lord over all governments. Excellent history of the church role in civil government.

A book EVERY Christian should read, and EVERY "Lesser Magistrate" i.e. Christian public official should put into practice.

A great Biblical and historical perspective on the doctrine of the lesser Magistrate. I do highly recommend it. Very good

In a time where liberties are being stripped, this serves as a wake up call to those interested in preserving liberty.

For evil to triumph requires that good people do NOTHING. Learn the spirit of this wonderful book, and do something.

A wonderful book on a much-needed topic today. You need to read this, ponder it, and help get the message out.

This book is very well written, easy to understand, and gave me a new perspective on the personality of Jesus.

Excellent and scripturally founded book on the topic. A great primer on The Doctrine of Lesser Magistrates

A must read to understand the founding of America and the part that the Lesser Magistrates provided!

This is a must read in our current culture, and a must for every elected official to read and do.

I encourage all Christians should read this book on how to defend your God given civil rights.

people should read it so they will know how to defend themselves when attacked by legal lies

Great introduction to a too-long-neglected tradition of reflection of political authority.

Great break down of a historical and biblical way to free man from tyrannical government

The author makes thoughtful arguments that should be part of anyone's survey of civics.

An important read for Christian Patriots. Well set out and written I enjoyed it a lot.

Comprehensive study of a doctrine I had never heard of. Very insightful and helpful.

An absolute must read for all. A key to remaining free and understanding freedom.

Every American Christian or otherwise should read this book and apply its lesson.

Helpful book highlighting a doctrine which sorely needs to be recovered.

This forgotten truth of the Reformation is needed today more than ever.

Explains the doctrine of lesser magistrates and examples from history.

The principals taught in this book are essential to maintain freedom.

A new “to me” perspective on the role of local civil authorities.

Great book! I've bought more copies to give out to others.

All students should read this book and parents, as well!

An unheard of doctrine today but valid nevertheless.

Every politician needs to read this book!

Nearly comprehensive study: done well.

Like the book, everyone needs one.

An excellent book on this subject

Very interesting. Learned a lot.

I recommend everyone read this

What a great book! A must read

Very important book to read.

Edification for us all

Excellent analysis

Great book !!!