The current emphasis on the Gospel's power to renew cities and culture is a great positive. Nevertheless, it provokes an important question. Let us assume city and cultural renewal gets traction – which, increasingly, it will – the next question is how do we determine the ethics and laws by which a renewed and just society should be governed. As a Christian you would … [Read more...]
Theonomy
This teaching stream explores Theonomy (theo – God, nomos – law, meaning God’s law).
Theonomy not only demonstrates the harmony of Old Testament and New Testament – of Law and Gospel – but it validates the ethical force of the Old Testament law in all its specifics as a divinely revealed objective standard for the sanctification (ethical holiness) of the believer and for social justice.
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Religious Freedom: A Proposed Bill of Rights for Australia
After vigorous national debate, Australia, in September 2017, voted in a plebiscite to legalise Same-Sex Marriage. This highlighted the issue of competing rights and the potential suppression of freedom of speech and religion. As a result the Prime Minister established a Religious Freedom Review served by an expert panel of academics and clergy. Lifemessenger has submitted the … [Read more...]
A Biblical View of Church and State: Implications for Same-Sex Marriage
In understanding the biblical role of church and state – and its implications for homosexuality – we must first understand the transformational nature of God’s kingdom. Christ is not only “head over all things to the church” (Eph 1:22), but also “ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5). Through Christ’s resurrection and ascension he has been given “all authority in heaven and on … [Read more...]
A Biblical View of Law and Grace: Implications for Same-Sex Marriage
For many it is argued, “We are not under law but under grace!” (Rom 6:14). Likewise, Paul declares, “I died to the law so that I might live for God” (Gal 2:19; also Rom 7:6; 1 Cor 9:20). Therefore, the Old Testament law has been abolished, they claim, including the laws concerning homosexuality. And yet, Paul affirms that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous … [Read more...]
Theonomy
Theonomy (theo – God, nomos – law, meaning God’s law). Historically the Christian movement has been beset by two significant heresies: Marcionism and Antinomianism. Around AD 144 Marcion dualistically represented the God of the Old Testament as a vengeful tyrant, while the superior God of the New Testament was one of love and forgiveness—and never shall the two meet. This … [Read more...]
