-OBJECTION: Christians should stop using the Bible to support or oppose laws. The world has changed, and the Bible can’t be used to legislate morality.
-RESPONSE: Honestly, this is a flawed position. First, everyone including non-theists use some rationale (whether it’s known or not) to support and oppose laws. Arguing that Christians should stop using the Bible shows a disdain for the “why” behind one rationale while ignoring others’ rationale for the same. Second, it’s often argued that you can’t legislate morality, and while I think I understand the true intent of that statement, we must realize that every act of legislature reflects a moral choice. In fact, the only thing you can legislate is morality (or “morally legislate” if you prefer).
All laws are a direct or indirect reflection of the morals of society. It showcases our ethical code, what we think is right or wrong. Why do we have laws against jaywalking (even if not enforced today)? It’s because our society maintained at one time that injury and loss of life due to pedestrian/horse-carriage accidents (and later automobiles) was abhorrent. Pedestrian laws show that we care for human life and those in most vulnerable positions–even when they are wrong in their actions in some instances (Google “pedestrians right of way v. motorist responsibility”). Moreover, whether you are in favor of relaxing or expanding immigrations laws, the decision shows what you believe (or should believe) about foreign aid, security, borders, nationalism, economics, etc., and to what extent the nation should leverage those areas for societal good. The point is that laws are inextricably linked to morality.
Third, most genuine Christians believe the Bible is true, infallible, and inerrant, and therefore believe that God’s morality is best for any society. God opposes sin (evil) because it is contrary to His holy character, and He lets us know in the Scripture that sin is destructive for all people (NOTE: even apart from Scripture, an honest review of most things considered sinful would reveal that sin creates harm). Additionally, the Bible is God’s special revelation to man, showing us that man’s only hope is the Person and work of Jesus Christ (Eternally-existing, Second Person of the Trinity Who died on the cross and rose from the dead). The God of the Bible is an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnibenevolent God and Creator. As such, He has rights to us, all of us! He can and does impose His ethic on our minds and conscience.
In addition to the aforementioned point, laws aid with informing the conscience of individuals and a society. While the refrain of not being able to “legislate morality” may intend to capture the idea that laws will not ultimately stop a person from doing what they desire to do (whether good or bad, legal or illegal), it’s important to know that laws influence people. For instance, what the government establishes as illegal or legal eventually influences the public education system. As Wayne Grudem points out, the reinterpretation of marriage to allow for same-sex unions has now created teaching in various states supporting this idea, thereby showing the widespread impact (Politics According to the Bible, 2010 p. 98).
Fourth, you are correct in stating, “the world has changed.” It is indeed more secular and seeks to replace “religion” with “secular humanism.” As secular humanism advances, it’s understandable that less people have an appreciation for the Bible. Yet, despite its claims, secular humanism is NOT a neutral position. It’s a relativistic, anti-biblical, man-centered view of the world. No doubt, secular humanism and other non-biblical ideologies are at the root of sentiments that object to having biblically-informed laws. People who hold such positions can only have fluid, preferential morals—morals that change in accordance with the whims of society. Right and wrong are never absolute; the relativistic humanist, only looking within himself and “experts,” must admit that a gross evil like peodophilia is only wrong as long as society says it’s wrong. As the late Francis Schaeffer once said of secular humanism, “[It] has both feet firmly planted in mid-air.”
In closing, the Bible reflects God’s character and moral guidelines to man. Is there ever a time when the Creator lacks jurisdiction over His creation? While many Christians would do well to recognize that America is not a theocratic government like ancient Israel (America is a democratic representative republic), it does not mean that Christians should abandon the tenets of Scripture because those tenets are fixed and faith-based. The distinction of church and state is a biblical concept (see Jesus’s “render to Caesar” statement in Mt. 22:21) but does not mean we should be biblically ignorant in our stances. Instead, separation of church and state intimates that the church should not rule the government realm and that the government should not rule the church realm. Likewise, Christians should not view government as the means of hope and salvation. Indeed, “the civil government—even a very good one—cannot save people from their sins” (Ibid., p. 96). Yet, when a society reflects the Lord’s character and goodness, that society can flourish. When a society rejects His character and goodness, that society is headed for eventual destruction. God knows what’s best for us–Christian and non-Christian alike–for He created all. Even if the world has changed, God’s truths and moral laws found in His word are forever (rf. Mt. 24:35). Christians should continue to hold these truths and use them as the basis for their voting and legislative positions.
Could it be that your objection is rooted in a “Romans 1:18-type” hostility to God? I implore you to repent and believe the Gospel before it’s too late. NeedGod.com
#MMApologist #SoliDeoGloria