It is true that there is much debate occurring today about the Shari'a law which Muslims hold to. In fact, the ways in which Christians and Muslims view the idea of law and approach law are very different. From a Christian standpoint, law is from God, our Creator, and this law shares the very nature of Him. We are accountable not only to God but to those laws as well, and we must follow His laws even when society chooses to go down another path. As Christians, we believe in what is called "natural law" in which God reveals His law and will through revelation. In turn, we can know God's will through our conscience, or our inherent sense of right and wrong.
Shari'a law, or the law that Muslim's hold to, is quite different from Biblical law. It governs every aspect of society from marriage to business to religion. While Christianity affirms that God reveals His will and Himself through the law, Shari'a law says that God has not revealed himself or his nature through law. Because of this, law becomes nothing more than a strict set of rules that must be followed without fail. This causes us to ponder the following question: why follow someone who not only are you not able to see, but you aren't even able to know their nature? Furthermore, while Christianity holds to God's law resolutely, Muslims believe that some passages in their Qur'an can overrule others--therefore, law becomes open to their own interpretation from situation to situation, removing any consistency. Despite the inconsistencies, Shari'a law is not only strict, but most certainly threatening at times. While Christianity finds great freedom within the Christian religion, Muslims cannot find that same individual freedom within their religion. In fact, the idea of freedom of expression is not a part of the Muslim legal tradition. Women and non Muslims especially feel none of the freedom in the Muslim religion that women can in Christianity. Furthermore, this is where Christianity is different: God sets boundaries through law so that we may bear His image respectfully, yet He allows us freedom at the same time. The Biblical worldview provides a law that respects at the same time the greatness and depravity of man, something that the Shari'a law cannot even try to accomplish!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Law #2 post
You ask if laws are up to the determination and interpretation of each individual. First of all, it must be noted that there are two different kinds of laws: man's law and God's law. God has put our governmental system in place in order to ensure that our country remain safe and prosperous. However, man is sinful, and often man's laws will go against God's laws. Since the beginning of creation, God has structured rules in which we are to follow. Contrary to popular belief, God's laws are strict but they are not put into place to make life miserable! Instead, God has put these rules into place in order that we may be more like Him as we strive to be "lights" for God in this sinful world.
We are called to follow both man's law and God's law if they agree on a particular issue. However, partially laws are up to the interpretation of an individual. This is especially true from a Christian standpoint, because often laws that the government (or man) makes go against what God says. In this case, it is up to an individual to go against what the government says and follow God's law first and foremost, as this is one of the things he calls us to do. For instance, issues of abortion and homosexual marriage becoming legal are at the forefront of government discussion today. If laws regarding these topics do end up passing, we must be ready to go against these laws and follow God's laws instead, as He clearly commands us not to indulge in these practices.
On the other hand, laws are not up to the interpretation of individuals if both God's law and man's law rule the same about a certain issue. Both God's law and man's law, for instance, forbid the murder of human beings. If we choose to commit this crime, and interpret the law ourselves, we are going against not only man's law but God's law as well! God has put the government in place for our own safety and we must be prepared to follow the laws that the government sets out for us. Much controversy arises when a law is passed by the government yet God has not said anything on the topic. For instance, traffic laws: are we to follow them or not? When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, there were no need for traffic laws! In this case, we must interpret that traffic laws are there for our safety, and God calls us to submit to the laws of our authority. Following them will not only set a good example for others, but ensure that we are safer in this sinful world.
Rules are both up for interpretation and not to a certain extent. We must realize that although we cannot see God, He is just as much there and governing over us as the government we can watch on CSPAN. We must remember, furthermore, that God is our creator and redeemer, and we must follow His laws even when the government chooses not to!
We are called to follow both man's law and God's law if they agree on a particular issue. However, partially laws are up to the interpretation of an individual. This is especially true from a Christian standpoint, because often laws that the government (or man) makes go against what God says. In this case, it is up to an individual to go against what the government says and follow God's law first and foremost, as this is one of the things he calls us to do. For instance, issues of abortion and homosexual marriage becoming legal are at the forefront of government discussion today. If laws regarding these topics do end up passing, we must be ready to go against these laws and follow God's laws instead, as He clearly commands us not to indulge in these practices.
On the other hand, laws are not up to the interpretation of individuals if both God's law and man's law rule the same about a certain issue. Both God's law and man's law, for instance, forbid the murder of human beings. If we choose to commit this crime, and interpret the law ourselves, we are going against not only man's law but God's law as well! God has put the government in place for our own safety and we must be prepared to follow the laws that the government sets out for us. Much controversy arises when a law is passed by the government yet God has not said anything on the topic. For instance, traffic laws: are we to follow them or not? When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, there were no need for traffic laws! In this case, we must interpret that traffic laws are there for our safety, and God calls us to submit to the laws of our authority. Following them will not only set a good example for others, but ensure that we are safer in this sinful world.
Rules are both up for interpretation and not to a certain extent. We must realize that although we cannot see God, He is just as much there and governing over us as the government we can watch on CSPAN. We must remember, furthermore, that God is our creator and redeemer, and we must follow His laws even when the government chooses not to!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Law
You say that Sarah thinks that laws are created only by societies. As a secular humanist, her views of law are rightly this. Secular humanists believe in what is known as "positive law" in which man, or society, devises his own rules. For a secular humanist, law and rules bring order to their lives, yet they are subject to change. Positive law rotates on the fact that only humans know what is best for their society, so they clearly reject the idea of divine law, or the idea that God governs His people and has put into place a set of rules that we, as His people, must follow.
In answer to your question, governments are not the ultimate authority for creating laws. As Christians we believe in divine law, or natural law, which holds to the idea that God, our supreme creator, not only created the Heavens and the Earth, but law as well, and put the idea of law to use through the creation of absolute laws, or rules that we must follow. God laid out his plan for creation, and put rules into place from the very beginning. Adam and Eve, after breaking God's only rule, were banished from the garden because they went against God's set rules. We of course see this idea of rule breaking and punishment still alive today. After the Garden of Eden, God laid out a list of rules in the Ten Commandments that he gave to Moses to safeguard and teach to the people. It is easy to think of God as a strict parent that keeps us all on a tight leash, but in reality the laws that God makes mirror His nature. We can therefore be more like God if we choose to follow the rules that He has set out for us, and it is this that He wants us to do.
While it may seem that governments make the rules in our country, it is ultimately to God that we should be answering to. God of course wants us to respect the leaders that he has put into place to help govern us, but whenever something in the law contradicts God's word we should be prepared to go against the government to follow our Creator and ultimate law giver. God is the ultimate authority for the creation of laws as he created even the idea of law itself, and although government may try to persuade us differently, is it God to whom we answer in the end!
In answer to your question, governments are not the ultimate authority for creating laws. As Christians we believe in divine law, or natural law, which holds to the idea that God, our supreme creator, not only created the Heavens and the Earth, but law as well, and put the idea of law to use through the creation of absolute laws, or rules that we must follow. God laid out his plan for creation, and put rules into place from the very beginning. Adam and Eve, after breaking God's only rule, were banished from the garden because they went against God's set rules. We of course see this idea of rule breaking and punishment still alive today. After the Garden of Eden, God laid out a list of rules in the Ten Commandments that he gave to Moses to safeguard and teach to the people. It is easy to think of God as a strict parent that keeps us all on a tight leash, but in reality the laws that God makes mirror His nature. We can therefore be more like God if we choose to follow the rules that He has set out for us, and it is this that He wants us to do.
While it may seem that governments make the rules in our country, it is ultimately to God that we should be answering to. God of course wants us to respect the leaders that he has put into place to help govern us, but whenever something in the law contradicts God's word we should be prepared to go against the government to follow our Creator and ultimate law giver. God is the ultimate authority for the creation of laws as he created even the idea of law itself, and although government may try to persuade us differently, is it God to whom we answer in the end!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
How Should Christians Respond to Feminism?
Christians should respond to feminism in a rather cautious way, yet still in a way that declares the truth. First of all, it must be noted that God created man and women to bear his image equally. Furthermore, not only were men and women created in God's image, but they were called to different tasks. This is often something feminists forget, focusing more in the lack of equality seen between gender today. God calls us to different roles, specific roles, and we must remember that God created each of us with a purpose, whether or not we know exactly what our purpose is. God did not create every person on this Earth to be employed in the same job, live in the same place, eat the same food, or drive the same cars! We were created to live in this world that He created, spreading His gospel as we strive to improve the world and our relationship with our creator despite the sin-infested world in which we live. We, as Christians, need to respond to feminism by making known these ideas: that God calls us not to be cookie cutter robots, but individuals with specified tasks. Feminists need to realize that God sees both genders that he has created as equal, and loves everything that he has made!
Christians must also bring to light the fact that women and men cannot find fulfillment in the same things. While women find fulfillment in relationships, men find ultimate fulfillment in a job, or career. God designed men and women differently, to carry out different purposes, and therefore no matter how hard radical feminists try, men and women cannot be exactly the same: we are not internally wired to be the same!
Throughout Genesis 2, God speaks of the creation of man, and the specific tasks that he has laid out for man to complete. While man is to be the "little king" or head of the household, women are meant to be the helpers, and completers of man. Each gender is therefore equally dependant on the other to complete the tasks that they were not internally wired to do. Despite what feminists claim, God does not say that men cannot care for the children and women cannot have a successful career. Rather, He brings to light the idea that men and women were created differently in regards to their responsibilities and what they may excel at, yet are equally made in God's great image. This is what Christians need to teach to the feminist community in order that they learn the truth about gender differences and how males and females can peacefully coexist in society.
Christians must also bring to light the fact that women and men cannot find fulfillment in the same things. While women find fulfillment in relationships, men find ultimate fulfillment in a job, or career. God designed men and women differently, to carry out different purposes, and therefore no matter how hard radical feminists try, men and women cannot be exactly the same: we are not internally wired to be the same!
Throughout Genesis 2, God speaks of the creation of man, and the specific tasks that he has laid out for man to complete. While man is to be the "little king" or head of the household, women are meant to be the helpers, and completers of man. Each gender is therefore equally dependant on the other to complete the tasks that they were not internally wired to do. Despite what feminists claim, God does not say that men cannot care for the children and women cannot have a successful career. Rather, He brings to light the idea that men and women were created differently in regards to their responsibilities and what they may excel at, yet are equally made in God's great image. This is what Christians need to teach to the feminist community in order that they learn the truth about gender differences and how males and females can peacefully coexist in society.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sexist? Homophobic? Blog
I would completely disagree with this claim. From first glance, certain sections of the Bible may seem to preach sexism and homophobic tendencies, but in depth reading of Genesis and Romans, as well as sections in Psalms most certainly prove otherwise. The first few chapters of Genesis are vital to understanding God's word as they discuss creation, the fall of man, and finally, redemption. In regards to the claims of sexism, I would explain that everything in the Bible applies to both male and female. Men and women were both created to equally bear the image of God, yet each does it differently and uniquely. While men are to be the responsible, leaders of the household, women are called to be a warrior: a helper and completer of man, not to mention a life giver! God truly created men and women as equals as seen though Genesis and the fact that God calls both men and women to the same tasks, under one great, and fair God.
In regards to the claim of homophobia, I would agree that the church is often viewed as an institution that condemns homosexuality, however I do not believe that the church is "homophobic." The home is arguably the most important institution within Christianity and therefore family and marriage are sacred in God's eyes. From the first marriage of Adam and Eve through Psalms and Romans, marriage is seen as the union between a man and a woman rather than that of the same sex. Genesis 1:24 speaks of a man leaving his family to be united with his wife and it is truly a model of the beliefs of the church regarding marriage. Therefore, I believe that with a traditional view of marriage, Christians are not homophobic but simply choose to keep the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, sacred.
In regards to the claim of homophobia, I would agree that the church is often viewed as an institution that condemns homosexuality, however I do not believe that the church is "homophobic." The home is arguably the most important institution within Christianity and therefore family and marriage are sacred in God's eyes. From the first marriage of Adam and Eve through Psalms and Romans, marriage is seen as the union between a man and a woman rather than that of the same sex. Genesis 1:24 speaks of a man leaving his family to be united with his wife and it is truly a model of the beliefs of the church regarding marriage. Therefore, I believe that with a traditional view of marriage, Christians are not homophobic but simply choose to keep the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, sacred.
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