Is Theonomy Biblical?

Introduction

Theonomy means God's law. It is a hermeneutic that sees the law of Moses as still applicable to contemporary rulers or institutions. There are differing versions of this view. For example, “General Equity Theonomy believes all persons and institutions are subject to God’s law generally. Rushdoonian Theonomy desires all civil legal systems to adhere to the Mosaic covenant’s judicial laws specifically” (Walker, 2021, Para. 9). It is important to note that theonomists see the Church and State as separate entities. For example, In placing the State under the power of the Church the Roman Catholic view does not give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but rather takes away from the civil authorities what rightfully belongs to them. (Haverland, 1995, theonomy, Church and State)

Christian Theocracy and Christian Nationalism are other terms you might hear when discussions like this occur. While those terms may not mean the same thing to many people, there is overlap if not just a blurring of all these lines. For example, early American colonies had laws against sexual sins like fornication (Peiss, 2002). These laws were a consequence of general equity theonomy. Many modern Americans would consider these laws Christian theocratic or Christian Nationalistic.

Old Testament

This view has several hermeneutical/biblical challenges. One of which is the Torah teaches us that the law was for Israel as part of the covenant. For example, it is written, “These are the decrees, the laws and the regulations that the Lord established at Mount Sinai between himself and the Israelites through Moses” (Lev 26:46, NIV). Deuteronomy 4 also shares the same sentiment. All the law was for Israel as part of the treaty (covenant). The law was also local, as Hicks (2021) notes, “...the law itself could only be practiced in the land of Canaan, which is the case for all Old Covenant judicial law” (Point 5). God does judge the gentile nations for immorality in the OT (Jer 46-51, Ez 25-32). However, Hicks (2021) further states, “When God judged the Gentile nations in the Old Testament, He never judged them for violating Old Covenant judicial law” (point 2).

New Testament

This further runs into problems when we see how Paul and Jesus interact with secular authority. Never once does Paul or Christ use the law of Moses as part of their understanding of how to deal with secular institutions, even if it would have been an opportunity to do so (Mark 12:17, 1 Cor 7). The NT does encourage all people to be Christian, laity, or majesty (1 Tim 2:1-4, 2 Pet 3:9). The text never encourages civil authority to use any religious law. Note, for example, that the passage in Timothy wants the church to pray for magistrates so that they may so that individual Christians may live Godly and quiet lives. He does not encourage anyone to use God's law to get this done. Hicks (2021) again notes, “You will never find a single New Testament example of an Old Covenant judicial law being applied to a Gentile government… Paul applies the law’s general equity (do not steal) to paying pastors properly in the church. He does not apply it to a Gentile government.

Justin Martyr

I'd argue against Theonomy by appealing to one of my favorite Church fathers. Justin Martyr was an ancient Christian apologist and philosopher. He opens his first apologetic work by addressing the letter to the Roman government and the people. Justin is defending the Church by encouraging Romans to stop the unjust persecutions. This is one of those occasions where it would be good to argue that the Romans should be using the Law of the one true God to rule. By doing so, he could still make his argument. Instead, he says, "...rulers should give their decision in obedience, not to violence and tyranny, but to piety and philosophy. For thus would both rulers and ruled reap benefit. For even one of the ancients somewhere said, Unless both rulers and ruled philosophize, it is impossible to make states blessed," (Chapter 3)

He further states, “For if, when you have learned the truth, you do not what is just, you will be before God without excuse” (Chapter 3)

Justin affirms that God will judge the Romans of his day. God is sovereign over all. Yet Justin does not appeal to the Bible or even God for how they should rule in this context. Instead, he appeals to virtue and reason. This is a solid apologetic for him, given his familiarity with Greek philosophy. He uses their writings on morality and politics against them. I propose, with Justin, that it is by reason and virtue, not specifically the law of Moses, that governments should rule.

I should quickly acknowledge that Christianity in later centuries obliterated the distinction between Church and State. So appealing to church history, especially given Justin's specific context, can be insufficient in and of itself. That is why I argued from Scripture first. So if theonomy is unbiblical, then how should Christians interact with politics?

Application

I do not get into politics, but I also do not want to leave you with nothing. This is where Justin's argument comes in. We should encourage the government to be virtuous and reasonable people. Rulers need to be pious and wise. Of course, Scripture aids in that endeavor. However, wisdom and virtue are found even in things Scripture never addresses, such as the field of Psychology and Mental Health advocacy. So it is found among individuals in politics and politics generally. In the end, there are many reasons why theonomy is unbiblical. Instead of encouraging rulers to use God’s law, the faithful should encourage the government and individuals to be pious and wise, knowing that one day they will answer to the Most High for their deeds.

References:

Church fathers: The first apology (St. Justin martyr). (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

Haverland, J. (1995). Theonomy: What have we learned? Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://www.opc.org/OS/html/V4/2b.html

Hicks, T. (2021, April 12). Why is theonomy unbiblical? Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. https://cbtseminary.org/why-is-theonomy-unbiblical/

Peiss, K. (2002). Major Problems in the History of American Sexuality: Documents and Essays. Houghton Mifflin.

Walker, A. T. (2021, March 31). American culture is broken. Is theonomy the answer? The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theonomy/

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