- Hardcover
- Publisher: Presbyterian & Reformed Pub Co (Jun 1984)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0875521177
- ISBN-13: 978-0875521176
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30 of 38 people found the following review helpful
The Magnum Opus of Theonomic Thought
15 Aug 2002
Format:Hardcover
Greg Bahnsen in this work offers the world a comprehensive hermeneutical lens by which all of life is to be viewed -- viz. God's Law.
Bahnsen begins with a masterful exegesis of Matthew 5:17-20 and the following reproof of the Pharisees which lays the foundation for his thesis. Bahnsen does such a thorough job of refuting the competing views that, I must say, Mr. Cunningham (the reviewer above) has an impossible task before him (i.e., to refute Bahnsen).
Bahnsen cogently presents Theonomy as a foundation to Christian thought which one cannot do without if the Christian community is to be faithful to the Word of God.
He proposes that not only is the Christian to bow before the Law of God in all of life, but that ALL MEN in every realm are expected to conform to God's Law. This includes even the civil magistrate, which should rule society according to the eternal bar line of the Law's justice.
He furthermore recoils at any Church/State union, but shows that Church and State alike have only one standard: God's Law. Thus, there should be a sort of checks and balances between the two administrations -- the Church holding the State accountable to rule according to the Law, and the State protecting the rights of the Church, while making sure the Church does not exceed its rights in society (e.g., by administering capital punishment, etc.).
There has been much misunderstanding and controversy especially over Bahnsen's (and Theonomy's) proposal that the Law's penal sanctions should likewise be administered, which would basically amount to capital punishment for adultery, rape, homosexuality, abortion, and other crimes. Many have seen this as an element of an all too harsh OT ethic. However, if that be the case (that the OT penal sanctions are too harsh), then that would be tantamount to saying 2 very astounding things:
(1) God's morality changes
(2) God's perfect Law (Ps. 19) is not perfect, since it is not truly just.
This is unreasonable and impugns the integrity and righteous character of God. To be faithful to God's Law for society, the civil magistrate must rule according to God's Law in every jot and tittle.
Bahnsen begins with a masterful exegesis of Matthew 5:17-20 and the following reproof of the Pharisees which lays the foundation for his thesis. Bahnsen does such a thorough job of refuting the competing views that, I must say, Mr. Cunningham (the reviewer above) has an impossible task before him (i.e., to refute Bahnsen).
Bahnsen cogently presents Theonomy as a foundation to Christian thought which one cannot do without if the Christian community is to be faithful to the Word of God.
He proposes that not only is the Christian to bow before the Law of God in all of life, but that ALL MEN in every realm are expected to conform to God's Law. This includes even the civil magistrate, which should rule society according to the eternal bar line of the Law's justice.
He furthermore recoils at any Church/State union, but shows that Church and State alike have only one standard: God's Law. Thus, there should be a sort of checks and balances between the two administrations -- the Church holding the State accountable to rule according to the Law, and the State protecting the rights of the Church, while making sure the Church does not exceed its rights in society (e.g., by administering capital punishment, etc.).
There has been much misunderstanding and controversy especially over Bahnsen's (and Theonomy's) proposal that the Law's penal sanctions should likewise be administered, which would basically amount to capital punishment for adultery, rape, homosexuality, abortion, and other crimes. Many have seen this as an element of an all too harsh OT ethic. However, if that be the case (that the OT penal sanctions are too harsh), then that would be tantamount to saying 2 very astounding things:
(1) God's morality changes
(2) God's perfect Law (Ps. 19) is not perfect, since it is not truly just.
This is unreasonable and impugns the integrity and righteous character of God. To be faithful to God's Law for society, the civil magistrate must rule according to God's Law in every jot and tittle.
I could go on and on recommending Bahnsen's book, but suffice it to say that EVERY Christian should read this book to understand how God's Law should apply to his/her life.
A MUST READ!!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A Benchmark
10 Feb 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book coupled with R.J. Rushdoony's "Institutes of Biblical Law," will become to the 20th century what Calvin's "Institutes" became to the 16th. This book will not go away nor will the subject. It is vital to Christian progress.
9 of 15 people found the following review helpful
This work is the standard by which others will be measured
20 July 2002
Format:Hardcover
If Bahnsen's discussion of the Greek term for "fulfil" in Matthew 5 is really the weakest part of the book, then we have before us an outstanding work of ethics and exegesis. The fact is, an alternative exegesis of Matthew 5 might be correct, and yet Bahnsen's Thesis would still stand. I'm currently preparing a Master's thesis in theology on the topic of the role of biblical law in contemporary government, and I have to say that despite my very best efforts, I have yet to come across a rebuttal to this work that stands up to serious scrutiny, Poythress and Co. included.
This work, if allowed to speak, and if read without trying to think up rebuttals before fair examination has been given, will change the way you look at biblical law. For many Christians, Bahnsen has been responsible for a truly overwhelming paradigm shift.
Fortunately, this work has been republished by Covenant Media Foundation (I can't include the URL here, but they're easy to find on the web). See for yourself what the fuss is about!
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