Western Culture Especially America
Appeal to Natural Law for Rights
I have long been puzzled concerning the source of this so called “natural law”. I am also deeply concerned over the seriously flawed over the belief that “natural law” can only be known by reason and not by “special biblical revelation” even though one may be responsible to a divine judge; though few hold to this few in this postmodern era. What do you believe, especially during this presidential election year?
I have little doubt that the few who will read this post will also have great difficulty with my conclusions concerning natural law. My purpose is not to offend. As Christians we are to test every assumption against the Bible in a normative, hermeneutical manner to determine its veracity compared with Scripture; the only basis for life and faith (1Jo 4:1; 1Th 5:19-22; 2Ti 3:16-17).
Age of Reason Thinkers Foundational
For Western Beliefs of Government
The Age of Reason flew from the chains of Medieval Scholasticism, lighting the fires of political and industrial revolution; one rebellious and the other constructive in lifting man out of serfdom and tyrannical governments. America celebrates both her rebellion from England and her status as a change agent in the industrial revolution.
The first graphic gives a modern definition of natural law but a more traditional definition is, “natural law was recognized as a type of higher law that spelled out universal truths for the moral ordering of society based on a rational understanding of human nature”(Kraynak, RP. THOMAS HOBBES: FROM CLASSICAL NATURAL LAW to MODERN NATURAL RIGHTS. Natural Law, Natural Rights and American Constitutionalism.). People generally believe that Plato was a supporter of natural law and its associated rights; however, according to Mr. Lewis (Lewis, VB. Platonic Philosophy and Natural Law. Natural Law, Natural Rights and American Constitutionalism.) Plato did not directly address natural law in much of his works. In his work, Laws, Plato does discuss natural law rights. According to Mr. Lewis, Plato’s definition of natural equates with the rule of reason. However, Plato is also quite well known for advancing the philosopher-king concept. This ruler would have absolute power over citizens as being the best qualified to make necessary decisions over the rabble. This attitude will become familiar in our discussion as it has in history.
John Locke is considered by many Americans as the modern supporter of natural law and rights. John Locke “…asserts that men in the state of nature are free and equal, and at liberty to do as they wish—but only “within the bounds of the law of nature.” (Forde, S. JOHN LOCKE and the NATURAL LAW and NATURAL RIGHTS TRADITION. Natural Law, Natural Rights and American Constitutionalism.).” Locke seems to have vacillated between natural law and natural rights being the more important. His tabula rosa philosophy taught that each person began life with a clean slate and determined their own way by reason.
According to Mr. Kraynak, “As a higher moral law, it {natural law} gave citizens a standard for determining if the written laws and customs of their nation or any other nation were just or unjust, right or wrong, humane or inhumane.” (Kraynak, RP. THOMAS HOBBES: FROM CLASSICAL NATURAL LAW to MODERN NATURAL RIGHTS. Natural Law, Natural Rights and American Constitutionalism.). Hobbs saw the civil and religious wars of his day as the appeal to natural and divine law over the laws of individual governments. The corruption of the Roman Catholic Church during the Medieval period and Protestant countries agitation for war against Catholic countries only encouraged his contempt for natural law. He encouraged citizens to accept the laws of their respective countries even if such laws were oppressive to gain peace and security; sound familiar?
His Common Sense Encouraged our
Revolutionary War; Yet, He hated God
Thomas Paine was the darling of the Revolutionary War with the wide-spread publication of his pamphlet, Common Sense. However, the publication of his book, The Age of Reason enraged many Americans with his anti-God stances like the quote in the above graphic. Yet, he was little different from many who are called Founding Fathers. He believed only in his reason to define morality; a morality very different from God’s Moral Law, Ten Words (Ex 20:1-17). Mr. Jefferson wrote in a letter to his nephew that it was as easy to determine truth from lie in the Bible as diamonds from feces {paraphrase}.
This is a relatively small sample of philosophers who laid the groundwork for the 19th and 20th centuries. Though it appeared lofty at its beginnings, the lives of its adherents were anything but moral by God’s Ten Words. The flaw was contained in the title usually given for this period: Age of Reason or Enlightenment. What does the Bible say of man’s reasoning?
Jeremiah states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Je 17:9). This was rejected by the deist who believed only in their empirical senses and rationality. Paul, under inspiration, also rejected by the rationalists, wrote that God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men because they suppress God’s truth so clearly revealed (Ro 1:18). Ungodliness is the Greek word which means a mind that is lost from conception which automatically rejects God and His truth in any form (Ps 51:5). This concept surely rebuts Locke’s tabula rosa concept. But it also destroys the foundational assumption of the Age of Reason; that man through his own mind can determine the truth of all nature apart from God. Paul states that this ungodly mind, which all people have at birth, can only produce unrighteousness; every thought, word and deed must be corrupt as they are devoid of God’s truth. Paul continues his argument citing two means of knowing God’s truth. The heavens declare God as creator, this is the external proof God exists (Ps 19:1). The internal proof of God’s existence is that portion of His image that He breathed into man at creation and which is clearly defined by His Ten Words (Ge 2:7; Ro 1:20). Cultures down through history have reaffirmed this by their laws that outlaw theft, murder, etc.
Therefore, if the basic tenets of natural law and rights are not of God then they must be of Satan and cannot be embraced by Christians; nor are Christians to rebel against those governments they believe to be unfair (Ro 13:1-5). Though Satan controls governments, he still operates within the boundaries set by God until the appointed time when people will believe The Lie and promote their own destruction (2Th 2:9-12). Thus, natural law is little more than slavery to sin and the powers behind the governments and rights apart from Scripture are no rights at all (Ep 6:12).
What would commend a citizen who followed God? What characteristics would be clearly evident? The best example would be Christ who came in humility and was brutally murdered for offering life. However, too many have confused the Scripture Jesus to be of help. However, the Beatitudes define precisely has a person of God would behave (Mt 5:2-12). I see nothing of rights or law but of humility and a mind set on eternity future (He 11:13-16). In this respect we should be as they were for they died without the promise of the New Covenant which today we receive at salvation purely by the work and grace of Christ (Ro 5:6-8; He 11:32-40).
We are called to bring the peace of the Gospel and to remain untangled from the world lest we lose our way and called home prematurely (Ro 10:14-17). If we do not take the word of the Gospel how will the lost ever be saved (Mt 11:28-30)? Political affiliations are simply markers for holding Satan’s left or his right hand; but it is still Satan to whom one clings!
It’s simple:
If God told you to kill someone, would you do it?
If the answer is no, then you would have just proved that natural law is above so-called God’s law. If yes, then state your justification. And don’t say because God knows best, because if he did then he wouldn’t have created that person to begin with, if he didn’t want that person to live.
Here is the problem I have with “natural law”. What is “natural law”? The term is trotted out but not defined which violates the Law of Identity. I do not know what you mean by “natural law” until you define the term. The usual fallback position is reliance on Thomas Jefferson but he repudiated Christ’s blood atonement which means he did not really understand the bible. This is evident by his reediting the bible to leave out the parts he disagreed with.
Another problem with “natural law” is the absence of a law giver. If there is a law, then by definition there must be a law giver. Where does “natural law” come from? The evolutionary view of Man’s development attempts to explain Man “evolving” from lower life forms to animal forms and gradually to various stages of human; at what point did “natural law” develop and how?
But rejecting Scripture these questions beg answering; and are usually not answered. But, it also proves the truth of Scripture. Paul details that the “natural man” builds his/her worldview without God even though this leads to degradation and violence (Ro 1:18-28; 3:10-18).
As to your hypothetical situation and question, it shows a lack of understanding of Christ interacting with Saved people after the New Covenant was given at Pentecost/Shavuot (Ac 2:1-4). This is an example of a False Dilemma Fallacy designed to force a desired conclusion. God allows people to live their beliefs, even disbelieving in Him. He allows people to develop their society without Him thus leading to increasing degradation and violence. God also rejects enforced morality, forcing people to live by someone else’s definition of good and evil. Public schooling was originally started to instill Protestantism in children and develop a nation they envisioned. It eventually fell apart. Private schooling, begun by Roman Catholics, was a reaction against this type of indoctrination; but I digress. God would tell you to kill anyone. There will be a “day” of accountability for everyone: Saved and Lost. (He 9:27; 10:30). Then He will base his judgment upon the evidence of one’s own decisions; in other words, you decide your own fate based on every decision you make which builds one into the type of man or woman they become (Re 20:11-15).
Thank you for your remarks
LeeS