Getting Job-ed
Ok, now you may be asking: “What on earth is theonomy?” Great! Glad you asked! Theonomy is the sandwiching of two Greek words: theos (God) and nomos (Law). So put them together and what do you get? God’s law. Now, theonomy is a hot-button term in the theological world these days and is very contested. But there are two arguments I wish to make in this article. One, that every Christian is a theonomist. And two, that in a time of chaos, theonomy is helpful! Let’s dive in.
Every Christian is a Theonomist
Every Christian believes in God’s law. Now the number one objection will be “but Austin, we’re not under the law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). And I say yes, we are under grace for the satisfaction of the law’s demands and the requirements for righteousness on our part (substitutionary atonement). Yet Paul’s argument in Romans 6 is not that the law is not the moral undercurrent of the nature of God or that we should even be free from the judicial requirements of the Old Testament law (at least in general equity, we’ll get to that soon). That’s simply not what he’s arguing there. Case in point: to the person who quoted Romans 6:14 above, my question to them would be, “ok, then it’s ok to murder, steal, or worship idols in place of God since we’re under grace, right?” Any orthodox Christian should vehemently say “absolutely not!!” And my next statement would be, “ok, then you’re some form of theonomist, because you believe that the moral law of God still applies today from the Old Testament.” That’s the point: every Christian believes that God’s law still applies today in some way, form, or fashion. The difference is the amount of the law, to what degree it still applies to New Covenant Christians, and does this have any bearing on society in creating laws. Nevertheless, a faithful Christian must recognize some continuity between the Old Testament Law and the New Testament era.
The Most Consistent Position
With the help of many teachers who have a much higher IQ than I do, I’ve been convinced, biblically, that the most consistent position on God’s law is that the Old Testament law continues into the New Testament unless where it is changed by God Himself.
I think the most convincing place to point to is that Jesus seems to have held this position. Matthew 5:17-19 ESV (emphasis added):
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
This is pretty amazing. Jesus says that until heaven and earth pass away the law will still be in effect. Not even the smallest stroke of the writing of the law will pass away until the end of the world as we know it. This appears to be Jesus’ take on the Old Testament law. Now that doesn’t say that the laws may not be fulfilled or changed in some way. The action required by the law may change because it is fulfilled in a more ultimate sense, yet the law stays in effect. What does that mean? Think about the atoning sacrifices of the OT and Jesus being our once-for-all sacrifice. The action required in the Old Testament of animal sacrifice for atonement of sin has changed. However, we still rely on Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice to cover our sins today. We still need His sacrifice, although the action of animal sacrifice is not performed. I’ll elaborate on this more in just a few.
Different Types of Laws
How does this work when looking at the Old Testament law? First off, you have to be able to read the law in the context that it’s written in (check out our study on How to Read the Bible). Then it’s helpful to get a handle on the different types of law in the Old Testament: Moral, Judicial, and Ceremonial. Let’s break those down quickly.
The Moral Law includes laws that are binding despite time, location, or setting. The prime example would be the Ten Commandments. The moral law never changes, and is even present before it was written on stone for Moses (Example: was it wrong for Cain to murder Abel in Genesis 4? YES!).
Judicial Laws in the OT are written to a specific people group and in a specific context. What’s interesting about the judicial laws is that they are not just to be applied to the specific example that is given, but rather are like case law in the United States and are to be applied to different scenarios and contexts. Paul gives a great example of this when discussing pastors receiving compensation for the work that they do (1 Corinthians 9:9-12, 1 Timothy 5:17-18). He reaches back to an OT law in Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox while treading out grain. Paul takes a law from the OT and a principle to not restrain or starve something that is doing work in order to apply it to his scenario. This would be a great example of what is called “general equity” in the Westminster Catechism. It’s a use of case law scenarios and applying those laws to individual scenarios. It almost makes you wonder where the founding fathers of America got that idea from…
Ceremonial Laws in the Old Testament were those that pointed toward a greater reality and fulfillment: those that are fulfilled by Christ. In the Old Testament, you’ll see many laws pertaining to the role of the priest, the atoning sacrifices for sin, the temple, etc. We hit on this earlier: have you ever wondered why sacrifices aren’t needed anymore to atone for sin? Because Christ is our sacrificial lamb, the better fulfillment of the OT picture. What about the Levitical Priesthood? Jesus stands as our high priest and mediator advocating for us at the Father’s side (Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). The OT pictures were a shadow of a greater reality to come. The law doesn’t necessarily just go away, but it is changed in light of a greater fulfillment. And the only one who has the authority to change such a law is God Himself.
So Why the Disagreement?
I don’t want to be disengenous to the other side of why good Christians wouldn’t identify as a traditional theonomist, as how the term has come to be understood. Disagreements come about regarding the continuity of the Old Testament laws into the New Covenant era, the degree of applicability of OT laws, applying those laws to society, legistlating laws at a government level, etc. Most theonomists can speak to some sort of continuity and discontinuity of the OT into the New Testament, as would any orthodox Christian. However, as I’ve argued, every Christian is in some way, shape, or form a theonomist. Now the question should be: how do you be a consistent Christian in light of the Old Testament and the New Testament? How do you harmonize the two together? How can you say that Jesus, in Matthew 5:17-19 with His view on the Law, is consistent with our own view of the Law? Those are huge questions, and those brought me to the conclusion I’ve been drawn to.
Why Does this Matter?
Finally, for the practicality of all of this! Really, why does this matter? I want to appeal to our current situation in America today. We call what is good evil and what is evil good. We think that as long as you “feel” a certain way, then that alters reality itself, even when people who are looking around like the child in the old tale saying “the king has no clothes on!” You want to be a cat? You’re a cat. You define love and truth. Oh, someone doesn’t agree with what you say? Some believe, in this culture, that it’s ok to execute someone for having a different opinion. Why would that be wrong? After all, there are no absolutes (except that we’re convinced that the only absolute is that there are no absolutes… see the contradiction?!). The culture hates the exploitation of women in the workplace or of the poor, but will turn around and say that it’s ok to murder them in the womb. Why not? There’s no law above me. Relativism, anarchy, and autonomy are close friends. And what’s happening to the culture? It’s imploding. Reasoning on a very basic level has gone out the door. As Rod Sterling put it in The Twilight Zone episode of The Obsolete Man (1961): “Logic is an enemy and truth is a menace.” One side is able to babble, cry, hate, and scream and it’s considered “freedom of speech.” However, question the status quo, and you’re a hateful, religious fundamentalist who plants the seed of hate. But Christians should be able to look at the culture and say something very profound: According to what standard?
The culture ultimately has no real standard of measurement of what is right or wrong, good or evil. Left to its own devices, the culture would destroy itself, and it is nearing that fate. However, it does have a sense of right and wrong, good and evil because every person is made in the image of God and knows Him and His truth (Romans 1:18-32). They will borrow God’s law and His standard to try to make their worldview coherent. They are split: given their own worldview, they can’t substantiate any reason for good or evil, right or wrong. They oppose themselves (2 Timothy 2:24-25). So what do they do? They borrow from another worldview without giving credit where credit is due. They want the benefits of God, His law, the order within the chaos, without having to submit to Him. But that’s the point, flesh out their own worldview with their own presuppositions, it’s end is destruction.
So what’s the fix? Theonomy. God’s law. The general equity of God’s law in the Old Testament creates order within chaos. Rather than everyone being a law unto themselves, what about an external, objective set of laws and principles that would be the arbiter of right and wrong, good and evil, order within chaos? Am I advocating for mandating Christianity or a state that is run by the church? No, I am not, as this is the common accusation against theonomy. But ultimately, when creating laws in a country, by what standards should Christians appeal to when voting in or proposing laws? Your own autonomous laws that you “feel” are the best option or appealing to an objective standard of God’s law? I feel, for the Christian, the answer is obvious. If you allow the government or the culture to dictate what the laws are and should be, you’re ultimately looking to them to be the arbiter of what is lawful. They become the god that enacts and enforces morality. However, theonomy gives the Christian a higher ground to stand on while calling lawmakers to be faithful to the duty God has appointed them for. Which would you choose? A government or culture to dictate laws and morality, or appeal to God’s law to create laws that flow from God Himself? Again, this is not about creating a state religion. But ultimately, the question is whose authority are we going to appeal to in making laws? My own opinion or feelings? The culture’s conception of morality? Or God’s standard?
To end, I appeal to you with Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the bible, mind you, and it’s about God’s law):
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!… How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!… Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law… Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!… When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord… Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes… It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes… How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way… The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever… I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. (Psalm 119:1, 9-10, 18, 33-40, 52, 67-68, 71, 103-104, 160, 174-175 ESV)
That Psalm was written for you, my friends. Let it help convince us of the standard we have to call this and every other nation toward repentance, whether the citizens themselves or their leaders. This standard is also the one that should call us back to faithfulness and repentance. It is the standard of measurement for all.
-Austin
Bibliography
- The Twilight Zone, Season 2, Episode 29, “The Obsolete Man,” directed by Elliot Silverstein, aired 2, June, 2961, on CBS. Physical Medium.
