Justice and Only Justice The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (7) Justice must be the supreme concern of individuals and communities alike. “Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:20 In this ...

Sentencing The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (6) Local justice was administered swiftly and appropriately. “If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty, then if the man deserves to be beaten, ...

Appeals The Law of God and Public Policy: Marriage and Sex (5) Appeals were granted when judgments could not be rendered locally. “If a case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within ...

Judgment The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (4) Cases of law were heard by the judges and elders of each community. “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you…” Deuteronomy 16:18 The local judges were also called “elders” (cf. ...

Representation The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (3) Citizens were expected to be able to represent themselves in matters of justice. “And the father of the young woman shall say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man to marry, and he hates her, and behold, ...

Evidence The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (2) No one is to be found guilty of injustice without proper evidence. “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or wrong in connection with any offense that has been committed.” Deuteronomy 19:15 When a case of ...

Vigilance The Law of God and Public Policy: Maintaining a Just Society (1) Justice is every citizen’s concern and duty. “If you hear in one of your cities, which the LORD your God is giving you to dwell there, that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the ...

Happy New Year! Homosexuality The Law of God and Public Policy: Marriage and Sex (7) The Law of God, and all His Word, prohibit homosexual relations. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22 The Law of God is clear that homosexual practice is ...

Prostitution, Rape, Bigamy, and Bestiality The Law of God and Public Policy: Marriage and Sex (6) All of these are prohibited by the Law of God. “But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the ...

Divorce The Law of God and Public Policy: Marriage and Sex (5) Divorce is permitted but only under certain conditions. “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of ...