The Language of Public Policy – The Law of God and Public Policy

The Language of Public Policy
The Law of God and Public Policy

In order to affect public policy we must learn to talk the talk.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…. 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Whatever is good in the divine economy is consistent with God’s holy and righteous and good Law. God’s Law is a reliable source of wisdom and just judgment. From the beginning, God intended His Law to be a standard of justice and public order for all the nations (Deut. 4). It served that purpose for 1500 years following the days of the Apostles, and during the days of the American Founding as well. However, in recent years, the nation has begun to drift from its legal and moral moorings into the uncertain waters of pragmatism, utilitarianism, and progressive law.

But Christians understand that God intends His Law to be a blessing to all nations, including this one. Thus, we must overcome our own distrust and ignorance of God’s Law and discover ways we can bring the Law of God to bear on the laws and policies that guide our government and society.

If God’s Law is once again to be a reliable source of justice and order for public policy, Christians will have to make this their burden. We’ve been looking at the “Three Ls” of public policy—the logic of public policy (neither government nor the people are absolute, but only God) and the loci in which public policy is made (conversations, publications, and participation in public service). Before actually turning to the Law of God to consider general public policy outcomes and particular applications, we need to say a few words about the language of public policy, which we will do in this and the next installment in this series.

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.