| This article represents part 1 in a short | | | | divinely-approved standard for questions |
| series of a brief-but-sound refutation of | | | | pertaining to civil government and |
| what Lee Iron's calls his 4-page "cheat | | | | legislation. Any other standard would of |
| sheet" dubbed "Some Common Theonomic | | | | necessity involve a reliance on mere human |
| Arguments." The operative word here is | | | | ideas instead of God's, and that is nothing |
| "cheat." So I have broken down the arguments | | | | less than autonomy.Us: Untrue. The N.O.S. |
| from his site as Mr. Irons has stated them | | | | argument is no assumption, but rather a |
| (prefixing his name to them), and then posted | | | | conclusion from 1. the exegetical details of |
| a response from me and "the Theonomic | | | | numerous biblical passages (and what these |
| brethren," here known as "us." Some of Lee's | | | | entail), and 2. A good and necessary |
| arguments have been abbreviated for the sake | | | | implication from the biblical doctrine of |
| of literary sanity, but I have made every | | | | Sola Scriptura.Lee: The difficulty with this |
| effort to leave out nothing relevant to the | | | | assumption is that it proves too much. If |
| core argument expressed in his article. You | | | | autonomy is narrowly defined as the use in |
| can find it at: Let the exchange begin.Lee: | | | | any sphere of ideas not specifically revealed |
| It is hoped that the brief responses given | | | | in Scripture, then we will be paralyzed by |
| here will enable the non-theonomist to hold | | | | inaction, since the Scripture simply contains |
| his own in future discussions and debates | | | | very little information about vast areas of |
| when he or she encounters those of the | | | | human thought and action.Us: This is another |
| theonomic persuasion.Us: Hope springs | | | | straw man. No Theonomist defines autonomy |
| eternal.Lee: 1. The [Theonomic] 'No other | | | | this way. Theonomists are Trinitarians, which |
| standard' argument Where else can we find | | | | shows that they believe that what Scripture |
| God's standards for socio-political justice, | | | | IMPLIES is as much the Word of God as what |
| except in Scripture, particularly, the Mosaic | | | | the Word says "explicitly." And Lee knows |
| civil legislation? If we reject the | | | | this, ergo the "cheat sheet" |
| divinely-revealed civil law, we are left with | | | | reference.Moreover, if the Bible were as |
| no other standard, condemned to wander in a | | | | non-comprehensive as Lee insists, God could |
| fog of personal bias and subjective | | | | have said it in 3 chapters. Scripture treats |
| relativism.One way to respond to this | | | | the ethical aspects of every possible human |
| argument is to question the assumption that | | | | endeavor so thoroughly that it specifies the |
| Scripture is a sufficient source of guidance | | | | limits and requirements needed to perform |
| for societal and political questions.Us: This | | | | every human activity RIGHTEOUSLY (the ethical |
| response falsely assumes that "political | | | | aspects of each activity) -- so as to please |
| questions" are NEVER ALSO ethical questions | | | | the Lord in the doing (or in avoiding the |
| (like "Should Christians vote against | | | | doing) of it.Lee: Scripture is not sufficient |
| abortion laws?"). This is called the | | | | for the art of cologne and perfume |
| "either-or fallacy" in informal logic. Since | | | | manufacture, although one particular recipe |
| the Word of God is sufficient to answer all | | | | is given in the Mosaic law (Exod. 30:23-25). |
| ethical questions and has the "consent of all | | | | Does that mean we should only make the |
| the parts," this makes denying the Bible's | | | | Levitical perfume? Are all other non-Biblical |
| "political or societal" sufficiency an | | | | scents autonomous and sinful? .... Examples |
| implicit denial of biblical sufficiency per | | | | such as these could be multiplied.Us: This is |
| se. Fun for Romanists, but not a biblical | | | | getting silly. The Bible is not a |
| option -- see Psalm 19:7ff., 2 Tim. | | | | perfume-makers success manual. It promises, |
| 3:16.]Lee: No doubt the Bible contains many | | | | that if it is obeyed, it will make you |
| general principles that are to be observed, | | | | righteous, not well-scented. This would imply |
| but why should it be regarded as a detailed | | | | limits on including chemicals in the colognes |
| blueprint for society?Us: We'll just take a | | | | to which some persons (being allergic to |
| wild stab at this one. Maybe because:1. | | | | them) might be harmed, or would at least |
| Another term for "detailed blueprint for | | | | require the maker to post a warning label on |
| society" is "code of law," and the Scripture | | | | the bottle, and other such ethical matters |
| regularly self-refers as the law of the Lord | | | | related to perfume making and selling. It IS |
| (Ps. 19:7; 119), an international law code. | | | | sufficient for its intended purpose, which |
| And law codes are necessarily "detailed | | | | Lee has here ignored.Lee: It seems too |
| bluleprints for society." The Bible says "the | | | | obvious to point out, but the Bible was never |
| law of the Lord is perfect." Psalm 119 | | | | intended to provide specific information and |
| elaborates on the "perfect" law as | | | | guidance regarding the vast majority of human |
| "graciously sufficient, adequate, lacking | | | | spheres of thought and action. These common |
| nothing, powerful, efficacious." This | | | | grace spheres belong to the natural order and |
| detailed blueprint for national and social | | | | are pretty much up to us to figure out on our |
| justice takes the form of legal documents | | | | own using the common sense, reason, and |
| called Testaments (i.e. inscripturated | | | | scientific abilities that God has given to |
| Covenants).2. Scripture has detailed commands | | | | mankind.Us: It seems too obvious to point out |
| about all sorts of things, including how | | | | that there are no "common grace spheres," |
| folks may or may not dress, and how kings | | | | because reality does not come to us in |
| must judge. Each king of Israel was required | | | | mislabeled sections with some assembly |
| to study the law of the Lord daily that he | | | | required. The Bible never speaks this way |
| might "do justice" in his nation.3. God | | | | either, though it does speak of matters holy, |
| commands all nations (societies) to obey him | | | | and others which are common. For more on |
| (Prov. 14:34), not merely individuals. God | | | | this, see Carson's article, "Critical |
| commands all kings to do justice in their | | | | Thinking To Go: Dodging the Pepperoni Pizza |
| nations, and nations have to do "detailed | | | | Fallacy."As far as common grace spheres (the |
| things," like collect and account for taxes, | | | | vast majority of epistemological real estate) |
| and administer justice in their courts. | | | | being "pretty much left up to us to figure |
| Anyone who thinks this is not a detailed | | | | out" -- how does this NOT sound like an |
| business need only read the U.S. Internal | | | | excuse for imposing one's "autonomy"?? The |
| Revenue Code to become overly-convinced.4. | | | | original Theonomic challenge (N.O.S.) |
| All Christians are "kings and priests to our | | | | argument says "Reject the biblical standard |
| God" (Rev. 1:8), and thus must study and | | | | and all you have are arbitrary ones. Then you |
| follow the example of the good kings of | | | | come along saying, "Standards? We don't got |
| Israel, insofar as their station in life and | | | | to show you no stinking standards! We'll just |
| calling permit it. Moreover, they must call | | | | make it up as we go and call it "common |
| upon others in their nation to do likewise -- | | | | sense," "reason," or "science." Doesn't that |
| including the civil magistrates (as did John | | | | ILLUSTRATE -- rather than refute -- the |
| the Baptist, and the other prophets). For it | | | | N.O.S. argument?Besides, natural revelation |
| says: "Rebuke your neighbor frankly, do not | | | | (the "light of nature") contains far less |
| share in his sin."5. God gave special | | | | information than written revelation. So any |
| revelation to Israel AS A NATION, so it would | | | | diminution of the comprehensive character of |
| be a royal priesthood and "holy nation." This | | | | written revelation bodes even WORSE for any |
| is now true of the Church, and of those | | | | view that depends on "nature's light" for its |
| nations where the saints of God live. 'Royal | | | | ethical standard -- which Lee's view in fact |
| priesthood' means "priests and kings."6. | | | | does.Lee: It is not denied that the Bible |
| Detailed Blueprints for nations are | | | | contains general principles that apply to all |
| inevitable and inescapable. Legal codes are | | | | areas of life - the most important being, |
| not an option, but a necessity, for every | | | | "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, |
| nation. It is never a question of detailed | | | | do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. |
| blueprint vs. no detailed blueprint, only | | | | 10:31). But the Scripture is not sufficient |
| WHICH detailed blueprint (law code) God | | | | to provide practical, detailed guidance for |
| requires nations to follow in order to obey | | | | the sphere of common grace; that sphere is to |
| Him.7. The contrary to theonomy is | | | | be guided by "the light of nature."Us: Oh, we |
| impossible. Notice Lee has not refuted the | | | | get it now. The Bible is foggy and says |
| point in question by offering an alternative, | | | | almost nothing. But thankfully we have this |
| equally detailed blueprint sufficient for | | | | extraordinarily comprehensive, detailed, and |
| social and national justice; he has simply | | | | crystal clear "natural revelation," so that |
| denied that one exists by challenging | | | | we never needed the Old Testament in the |
| (unsuccessfully) the only game in town -- | | | | first place. This is both an inversion of |
| biblical law. This ignores the first | | | | what the Bible actually teaches about the |
| principle of debate: You cannot beat | | | | relationship between general and special |
| something with nothing.Lee: After all, we | | | | revelation, and the flagship of |
| don't go to the Bible to find specific | | | | Dispensational thought. You say "Titanic," we |
| directions for other equally important human | | | | say "Iceberg." A few brief points:1. The Old |
| endeavors, such as art and architecture, | | | | Testament was given by God so that the fall |
| literature, the culinary arts, medicine, | | | | (having marred the clarity of natural |
| technology, etc.Us: Surely you jest. | | | | revelation) could have its obfuscating |
| Administering justice -- the duty of the | | | | effects "progressively undone" as redemptive |
| civil magistrate -- is NOT "equally | | | | history moved forward with the growth of the |
| important" with pizza baking or artfully | | | | canon. Lee wants this progress REVERSED, |
| sculpting pottery. The former is a holy duty, | | | | favoring the natural revelation, which is |
| and the latter is common. This is why one | | | | less clear and comprehensive than the written |
| must be "sworn in" (take an oath of office) | | | | revelation, over the more clear and |
| as the civil magistrate who is "God's deacon" | | | | comprehensive. We call this, "making room for |
| (Rom. 13). No one may properly require an | | | | autonomy."2. The case laws of the OT are |
| oath to join the Iron Chef Association. | | | | regularly cited by Jesus and the apostles as |
| Unjust verdicts can destroy people's lives, | | | | binding under the new covenant, including |
| unlike flawed desserts. Okay, unlike MOST | | | | labor laws like Deut. 25:4 (Do not muzzle the |
| flawed desserts.Lee: The Westminster | | | | ox while it treads out the grain, 1 Cor. 9, 1 |
| Confession acknowledges that there are areas | | | | Tim. 5), judicial due process requirements |
| of life "which are to be ordered by the light | | | | like Deut. 18 (that every matter may be |
| of nature, and Christian prudence, according | | | | established by the testimony of two or three |
| to the general rules of the Word, which are | | | | witnesses, 2 Cor. 13:1), etc., etc.Lee's view |
| always to be observed" (WCF I.6).Us: The | | | | cannot tolerate these passages, which shows |
| immediate context of WCF I.6 relates only to | | | | thereby that his is not the New Testament |
| affairs "common among men," not holy matters. | | | | view of the OT either.Lee: Properly defined, |
| This adiaphora clause ends in "general rules | | | | the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture |
| of the Word." Even here written revelation, | | | | states that the Bible is "the only rule of |
| not the light of nature, is the final | | | | faith and obedience," (WLC # 3), directing us |
| standard. Affirming the specific application | | | | "how we may glorify and enjoy" God (WSC # 2). |
| of such general rules remains consistent with | | | | The Scriptures "principally teach what man is |
| the Thenomic position. Here, Lee pretends to | | | | to believe concerning God, and what duty God |
| offer a counterinstance to that view, but | | | | requires of man" (WSC # 3). In other words, |
| does nothing of the kind.Moreover, the | | | | as Paul states, the primary purpose of |
| Westminster divines practiced what is known | | | | Scripture is to "make us wise unto salvation |
| as the "regulative principle of worship" in | | | | through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. |
| their churches. This is a minimalist | | | | 3:15).Us: Yes, but the biblical view of |
| principle which says that in holy matters | | | | salvation is more than merely justification. |
| (such as oath-taking), whatever God has not | | | | It necessarily includes SANCTIFICATION, for |
| commanded (explicitly or implicitly), God | | | | "without holiness no one will see the Lord." |
| forbids. And the Westminster confession | | | | And since Christians will be kings in the |
| affirms that all oaths -- like the ones a man | | | | resurrection, reigining on earth, what |
| must take to hold either a civil or | | | | detailed law code (blueprint for society) |
| ecclesiastical office -- are A MATTER OF | | | | will God expect them to use to make righteous |
| WORSHIP.Thus, WCF I.6 does not apply to the | | | | judgments (as Christian judges must do even |
| administration of justice, but to common | | | | today? Whole-life holiness requires a |
| matters only. God has but one, holy standard | | | | comprehensive and detailed ethical standard |
| by which he will judge men on Judgment Day, | | | | not offered by common sense, reason, science, |
| which is the same single standard by which He | | | | or the light of nature. If this is not found |
| judges nations now. Nations do not exist in | | | | in the canon (OT and NT), then where? This |
| eternity, so if God will judge them at all -- | | | | kinda puts us back at question #1.-- To Be |
| and the entire body of literature attributed | | | | Continued --Carson Day has written some 1.3 |
| to the prophets says He does -- He must do so | | | | gazillion aritcles and essays on all manner |
| within the bounds of what we consider | | | | of diverse topics. These aim to glorify God |
| ordinary human history. Lee has left | | | | and offer people real help to live wisely and |
| unanswered the obvious rejoinder: By what | | | | well. You can visit Carson's websites at |
| standard does God judge nations? If not by | | | | (The Omniblog, where Carson blogs everything) |
| God's law, then by whose?Lee: The "No other | | | | or (Carson's Day Trading Outpost). Thanks |
| standard" argument assumes that special | | | | for stopping by. |
| revelation in Scripture is the only | | | | |