Category: Theonomy

In the beginning they critiqued theonomy for being purely political in their intentions. Then, when the proliferation of books came to the press their mouths were shut. Theonomy’s goal is first and foremost the transformation of the human heart by the gospel. 

The inconceivable notion that the law of God is burdensome has led many to minimize the greatness of the law. The law is arcane because it is thought to be burdensome. If the law was known to be light, it would be sought with fervent passion. The law expresses the virtue of God’s covenant community. We are a virtuous redeemed people. There is nothing more precious to God than for His people to respond with grateful obedience. The Jews adored the law of God because it represented their distinct nature from the surrounding peoples. Eugene Peterson writes:

The Hebrews would no more have considered the covenant ten commandments as a burden in living a life of faith than a person would call nouns, verbs, and prepositions a burden in carrying on a conversation” (Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, p.81).

Peterson’s point is that the law is natural to God’s covenant people. The law is perfect and it is a badge representing covenant loyalty. Only the redeemed sees and experiences this. Once the law is seen as light it opens the window of commitment that is so rare in our world. Obedience to this law is pleasant and it gladdens the soul.

Chris Ortiz delivers a blow on Theonomy’s enemies.

OPC Pastor G.I. Williamson has provided some honest, insightful questions, and some friendly advice concerning the theonomy (law of God) conundrum. The following are exerpts from his article published in New Horizons in 1994:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2Tim. 3:16, NASB). By “all Scripture,” Paul meant the Old Testament, including the whole Law of Moses. It follows, therefore, that Old Testament laws have permanent value. It was for this reason that Calvin, in his commentary on the five books of Moses, showed how every “case law” taught an abiding principle. He did this by arranging all of these laws under one or another of the Ten Commandments. He showed how each of them helps us understand the intent and meaning — and proper application — of the ten central commandments.

I remain convinced that the Reformer was essentially right. I don’t think he was always right, or that he necessarily organized every case law under its proper heading (some could arguably be placed under a different commandment). But he has convinced me that there is an abiding principle in every Old Testament case law. In my opinion, the theonomists deserve credit here. They are trying to do in our generation what John Calvin did in his.

See the Rest of the article.

I have just finished reading one of Greg Bahnsen’s major work entitled: By This Standard. In this 350-page excellent defense of theonomic ethics, Bahnsen articulates and defends the basic premise of theonomy: that God’s law is the only law to be followed in the arena of ethics and civil justice. No other standard is greater and no other standard will do when it comes to ordering society and man’s lives.

Since the early 1990’s an attempt to refute theonomy’s basic premise (see above) was made by a confused and often contradictory group of scholars. Greg Bahnsen and others have replied en mass. Theonomy’s proliferation of books in the 80’s and 90’s made the opponents think twice before replying. I am still amazed that after so many years have passed since By This Standard was written, the same futile line of argumentation continues to be brought forth. By This Standard answers each argument with care and precision leaving absolutely no doubt to the absolute normativity of God’s law.

At Chalcedon Foundation’s 40th anniversary, Mark Rushdoony defined with overwhelming clarity what is Christian Reconstruction. Here are a few quotes from that lecture:

Our culture has problems because it is based on the sinful will of men. Rebellion against God never works, so these problems will progress to a systemic failure. We believe in rebuilding our culture on the Word of God, starting with individuals and progressing outwardly to families, groups, institutions, communities, and beyond.

Christian Reconstruction challenges Pietism and its false, dualistic division of spiritual and material. Dualism sees the spiritual as opposed to the material, and the spiritual as a higher way, so it tries to escape into an “other-worldliness.” It sees spirituality as an escape from the earthly, mundane aspects of life. Christian Reconstruction, on the other hand, sees the term “spiritual” as a reference to the Spirit of God, who claims authority over every area of life and thought.

For full lecture click here.

Though I am committed to a theonomic view of ethics,  I appreciate Alastair’s critique, though excellent analysis of how theonomy helped him see the Christian world from “catholic” worldview.