The First Two Loci: Review – The Law of God and Public Policy

The First Two Loci: Review
The Law of God and Public Policy

We need to prepare well if we hope to affect public policy.

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10

Public policies are shaped, in the first instance, in two everyday loci: in conversations with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers and through the published views—in local papers and on the Internet—of “we the people.” Believers share in the ongoing work of public policy-making in both of these loci.

But we need to prepare well even for these “informal” venues, reading up on the issues; searching the Scriptures to understand the various ways the Christian worldview bears on social, cultural, and political matters; and talking with our Christian friends and teachers to help us shape our views. The better informed we are about the issues of the day, the more likely we will be to participate in the everyday conversations and opportunities for publishing our views which are available to us.

We must not underestimate the power of conversation and publication in shaping public policies. The absence of a Christian voice in any area of public policy can create a “spiral of silence” on behalf of that which is true and good, allowing those policies backed by the most vocal proponents to gain the day. If we can work hard to be well-prepared, and if we make the most of every opportunity to engage and persuade, rather than just argue about topics, we might be surprised at how the Lord can use us to affect the way others think about the big issues of the day.

Remember, as the Lord Himself said in Deuteronomy 4:6-8, there is wisdom in His Law which even unbelievers can observe and which they will find appealing. But it is our task and calling to carry that wisdom out among them in conversation, so that the Lord can then draw them to Himself and His ways (Mic. 4:1-8).

Visit our website, www.ailbe.org, and sign up to receive our thrice-weekly devotional, Crosfigell, featuring writers from the period of the Celtic Revival and T. M.’s reflections on Scripture and the Celtic Christian tradition. Does the Law of God still apply today? Order a copy of T. M.’s book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, and study the question for yourself.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T. M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.