The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Moral Law

Using Greg Bahsen's (actually from VanTil et. al.) presuppositional apologetic, the "presupposition of Theonomic Reconstructionism (Theonomy) is in error for it is based upon the idea that Israel as a nation is "special" over all peoples and is the paradigm upon which ALL nations are to be instituted. Israel was the foreshadow of the CHURCH and not a blueprint for world political and social constructs. What we see in Israel is indeed a revelation of God's sovereignty and holiness with some foreshadowing of the NEW Heavens and NEW Earth. There is not going to be a "Christianized" world anywhere. The Law was the "schoolmaster" that showed the incomprehensible depravity of man, the futility of trying to keep it for the purpose of gaining or maintaining God's favor, and lastly the absolute necessity of looking only to the remedy provided by God Himself; the Messiah Who would be the perfect law keeper (active obedience) and the sacrificial Lamb (passive obedience) Who would be endure the punishment owned by sinners (the elect). A secondary faux pax is the distorted interpretation of Matt. 5:17 "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil." But that's another major discussion in itself which fortunately has been dealt with by myriad NT scholars.

My main gripe and rejection of that entire view; Theonomy is that 1) it relegates the magnificent person and work of Christ to a secondary position and elevates the establishment of a man-made dominion of enforcing God's law upon societies which is so inferior to God's purpose for this present world. What is that purpose? To gather OUT OF this world those whom He predestined in love to be redeemed in the Lord Christ. The remainder He predestined to eternal punishment due to their inherent guilt and actual sins. It is the CHURCH who has been given the power to exact punishment upon its professing and unrepentant members for violating the moral law. The secular governments have the power to punish crimes committed by its citizens that ideally are founded upon biblical principles but NOT mirroring Theocratic Israel, which has been cut off, divorced and is the example of the depravity of man who will not and cannot turn to God regardless of how much favor bestows upon man.

Nowhere in the NT does one find a "plan" for establishing a God-approved and mandated government system. What is overwhelming given to us in Scripture is God's infallible plan to redeem a people for Himself and how those given that privilege are to live according to His holy law. The law in general is a restraint upon sin but never the means to live a holy life. The law is the guide for life to those who have been given the desire and ability to please God, which is only in part in this life but will be fully fulfilled when they are glorified.

So, all the attempts to convince me and obviously the majority of the Christian Church of "Theonomy" are insufficient as the teaching of God for this world. This world is destined to destruction not renovation. The Spirit and the means of law are restraints for one main purpose... to allow the Church to fulfill its two main tasks until the end; 1) feed the sheep, and 2) evangelize by which the elect are called to faith in Christ. Then comes the end.