Question: Hi Greg,

One of the common-sense things that I have been blessed to learn about recently is that of God's natural law. Does Plain Truth Ministries have a definition or statement concerning natural law? What is it? How does it unite all Christians, all of humanity and even all of God’s creation for that matter?

I know that this is another big topic but I think it is also a bridge that we can build between all Christians and others who believe in God. I haven’t seen anything in the Plain Truth magazine or in the Q & A’s about it.

Answer:

There are four kinds of law – eternal, natural, human and divine.

You specifically asked about natural law. What is normally meant by natural law is the fact of or act of the communication of eternal law to rational, mortal humans. Natural law is the rational way that humans may participate in eternal law. Natural law is the law that is written on human hearts (Romans 2:15).

The first two chapters in Romans are helpful in understanding natural law – as Paul indicates that all humans, including those to whom God had not specifically revealed his will, law and covenant (as he did with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament) – all humans are responsible and culpable, according to Paul, for basic human behavior. This basic misbehavior – sins – are noted by Paul in this passage.

A study of anthropology shows that virtually all past and present human cultures have agreed – apparently "naturally" as a part of being human – not as a part of external/divine revelation – upon basic "natural law" – including things like murder, stealing, lying, etc.

This does not mean that we know all that we need to know about law, or about God, by virtue of birth. But it does mean, as many theologians believe that part of being created in the image of God means that certain moral "thermometers" or "governors" come as factory equipment, right from the factory. Thus, Paul concludes that we are all sinners, because we have known better, but still sinned – and thus, according to this one particular argument, we are all in need of the Savior.

That’s a brief summary of a big topic. And of course, from a Christ-centered perspective, any discussion of law must also include a discussion of the riches of God's grace -- also a big topic.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht