Deterrence, encouraging even evil men to respect others' rights, is another objective of government. This role for the civil authorities arises naturally from the fact that life is a gift of God that is to be protected. Physical assault is not the only threat to people enjoined to be creative and productive. So, too, is the deprivation through theft and fraud of the resources over which God has made people stewards. The public authorities are also to defend those within their jurisdiction from external or foreign threats.
People are to exercise justice and righteousness as individuals.
Civil rulers, too, are to be just and righteous. However, corporate duty differs from personal responsibility. In short, the contrast is personal virtue versus public impartiality. An attempt by the state to practice the former rather than the latter is typified by this century's great totalitarian levelers, the communist revolutionaries. Thus, government is to be a neutral arbiter and protector.