I would make two counter arguments to Dabney. First, a soft Christian establishment is a good thing, namely blue laws, the Lord's prayer, and Bible readings in public schools, etc. I am sure Dabney supported this. Second, Dabney could advocate for the superiority of free associations only after 1500 years of de facto establishment of Christianity and cultural hegemony. Sadly, we are closer culturally now to Augustine than to Dabney. The Theodosian Code was a form of lawfare against paganism and we will probably need that again.
I would make two counter arguments to Dabney. First, a soft Christian establishment is a good thing, namely blue laws, the Lord's prayer, and Bible readings in public schools, etc. I am sure Dabney supported this.
Second, Dabney could advocate for the superiority of free associations only after 1500 years of de facto establishment of Christianity and cultural hegemony. Sadly, we are closer culturally now to Augustine than to Dabney. The Theodosian Code was a form of lawfare against paganism and we will probably need that again.