Theonomy: An Introduction

Photo Attribution: “St Georges Hall Court Room” By Michael D Beckworth; CC 2.0

As an introduction to the topic of Theonomy, it seemed best to break this down into three parts. Through this series, the first post will give a basic outline to some of the main principles of Theonomy; the second, a critique to these principles; the third, a final synopsis with some closing notes. Though I would hardly qualify myself as an expert in Theonomy, able to refute each and every point with the utmost eloquence, I am aiming to show why Theonomic Rule is not a hermeneutically consistent interpretation for the NT believer.

However, before engaging on any of these claims – it is pertinent to give a brief summation to Theonomy. It is particularly difficult to peg down consistency between theonomists of different strips, so what I will seek to do is simply adapt a summary from Greg Bahnsen’s contribution to Five Views on Law and Gospel

The revelatory scriptures in their entirety are infallible, inerrant, and useful in all that they teach on any subject.
Upholding theonomic rule or principles do not merit favor with God in respect to salvation. Upholding the law, then, is a commitment to obedience in the basis of faith, in gratitude for the free gift of grace.
The scriptures are the sole, supreme, and unchallengeable standard by which man operates in all areas of life; this naturally includes the moral directives (law).
Our obligation to uphold the moral law is not to be judged by extra-biblical standards (i.e. traditions, cultural whims and practices, feelings, etc.).
Moral laws are to be assumed as binding unless specifically otherwise indicated by further revelation.
The new covenant surpasses the old in glory, power, and finality. The new covenant also surpasses “shadows” of the old, changing the applications of sacrificial, purity, and separation principles found in the OT – thus indicating a redefinition of the people of God and changing the significance of the Promised Land.
These laws are a reflection of God’s immutable (unchanging) character and are subsequently absolute, being established in advance of any given scenario, circumstance, or changing attitudes. Thus, they are applicable in general types of moral situations.
Christian politics must be operated under the auspices of God’s unchanging nature, thusly, operating under recognition of the revealed law as a standard to judge all social codes.
Civil magistrates (governing authorities) in all times and places are bound to conduct their practices as servants of God. They are agents of divine wrath against criminals, the unrepentant, and the unbelieving. For this they will give an account before the Lord on the basis of this performance.
This general continuity is not regulated only to governing authorities, but to all spheres of ethics: personal, family, and ecclesiastical.
The precepts given in the OT “judicial” laws are a perfect model for social justice in all cultures – even in the punishment of criminals. Outside of these laws, civil rulers are not authorized to legislate or use coercion (i.e. in the economic marketplace).
The morally acceptable way for Christians to correct social evils that are not under lawful jurisdiction of the state is by means of voluntary and loving enterprises (i.e. in the home, church, and marketplace). Thus, violent revolution and retribution are not the proper methods for changing the political order. This is accomplished through dependence on regeneration, reeducation, and gradual legal reform.

While this is not an exhaustive list of every nuance to this theological viewpoint, it will nonetheless prove helpful in all that I seek to discuss. As you will notice, there is much here that can and should be easily agreed with. However, there are still problematic inferences made from the usage and understanding of the term “law”, including underlying hermeneutical principles which undoubtedly affect the theonomist’s position.

In the next post, I will interact with what I believe to be a misunderstanding of the Law’s purpose, as well as the underlying assumptions of the theonomist understanding of the law and continuity between covenant people, according to some of these points. I will further serve to illustrate the Law’s fundamental importance – and current role in the life of the NT believer.