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Christianity and Law – Legislating Morality
Every sin cannot be made explicitly illegal. Morality and legality are not synonymous—a specific law cannot enforce every moral action. A biblical legal system should attempt to legislate morality only to the extent that order is maintained and human rights are protected. The innocent should have nothing to fear from law, while the guilty should have everything to fear.
Christianity and Law – Morality and Legality
No legal system can cause every person to always act morally, just as no one is capable of living a completely lawful life. As Christians, we know the truth of this from our own violations of God’s divine law, what we learn from Scripture, and what we know from earthly legal systems. A Christian system of law should stabilize society and promote justice (by protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty). It should also lead us to (or reinforce) an understanding of our fallen nature and desperate need for a Savior.
God uses law not only to ensure justice, but also to show us the folly of demanding our just desserts. God in His wisdom can use even earthly legal systems to show unbelievers their fallen nature and lead them to an understanding of its cause and remedy. Law can reveal our need to beg for God’s mercy, turn to Christ for salvation, and become children of God (see Ephesians 2).
Notes:
Rendered with permission from the book, Understanding the Times: The Collision of Today’s Competing Worldviews (Rev. 2nd ed), David Noebel, Summit Press, 2006. Compliments of John Stonestreet, David Noebel, and the Christian Worldview Ministry at Summit Ministries. All rights reserved in the original.
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