Creation Laws: The Laws of Nature: The <i>Lex Non Scripta</i>

GETTING STARTED ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Nature as Teacher

The Bible embraces the idea that people can observe nature and thereby discern rules of human behavior as a result:
– “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Prv. 6:6. [Animals sometimes can be examples for people]
– “When the people have a dispute, they come to me and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Exo. 18:15-16. [Consider: What statutes existed before the Ten Commandments were given?]
– “Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?” 1 Cor. 11:14-15. [Nature contains an inherent authority structure]. Q: Is Paul here appealing to a cultural argument (limited to certain places, times, or people), or is he observing the created order so he can formulate a universal rule of human behavior?

This is not an exhaustive list, but merely illustrative. And it has nothing to do with extracting moral rules from “rocks & trees” as critics claim. Other examples:
– For people who have never read the scriptures, how long is a week? How do they know this? How long have people known this? Has anyone – ever – known differently? Who invented the week – God (nature) or man?
– Who invented the family? Or first decided to have children? Is a knowledge of scripture necessary to either of these?
– Is the difference between men and animals only learned from scripture, or is it evident (as an inviolable rule) merely from observing the creation?
– Did ancient heathens have the scriptures? Did they know men have souls? How did they know this? Who told them?

There are many such “self-evident truths,” i.e., knowledge God embedded in the creation.

They Took it Too Far

“The Scriptures are the only organs through which God conveys to us a knowledge of his will about what we are to believe concerning himself, and what duties he requires of us.” A. A. Hodge. – Ouch!

Look, I get it. The Reformers wanted to make a strong statement against the position of the Papacy and the Magisterium that the edicts of men were on a par with Scripture. All they had to say was, “we reject human edicts as being on par with God’s Word.” But instead, they rejected everything not part of the verbal revelation of God, thereby casting off the laws of creation / laws of nature along with human edicts. In other words, the Reformers threw out the baby with the bath water …

“The revealed or divine law are to be found only in the holy scriptures. These precepts, when revealed, are found upon comparison to be really a part of the original law of nature. … Yet undoubtedly the revealed law is of infinitely more authenticity than the natural law. Because one is the law of nature, expressly declared so to be by God himself; the other is only what, by the assistance of human reason, we imagine to be that law.” Wm. Blackstone (1765).

But note, this does not lead Blackstone to reject the law of nature. Rather, “Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws; that is to say, no human laws should be suffered to contradict these.”

This is the better path than “the Bible is our one rule of faith and practice.” Observe nature, use reason, and do the best we can. Then check that analysis against the scriptures. But the scriptures don’t contain everything God has said. Nature is broader in scope than the scriptures. All that is required is that observations of nature be consistent with the scriptures, not that they are limited to the scriptures. God gave us our minds for a reason. Let us use them!

CREATION LAWS

Principle: A rule or commandment is part of the law of nature if it originates in (or can be traced to) the biblical account of creation

The Ten Commandments (as easy examples)

1.   Have no false gods (God as exclusive Creator)
2.   Make no idols (God as uncreated Creator)
3.   Don’t say God’s name in vain (only the Creator can name Himself, thus it is holy)
4.   Keep the Sabbath holy (nature of the creation week)
5.   Honor your father and mother (family originated with the creation of man)
6.   Do not murder (right to life from the beginning)
7.   Do not commit adultery (sanctity of marriage originated in the creation week)
8.   Do not steal (private property originated in the Dominion Mandate)
9.   Do not bear false witness (the first lie traces back to creation)
10.   Do not covet (individual moral responsibility)

In other words, none of the Ten Commandments originated at Mt. Sinai or were disclosed for the very first time to the ancient Jews. Each and every one of them ultimately traces back to the creation account (logically), and can be said to have been disclosed to all men by the very nature of the way the universe was formed – carrying the Will of God in its very substance.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SABBATH (as an example of creation laws)

1.   God rested on the seventh day and blessed it. (Gen 2:2-3).
2.   God’s verbal rationale for the Sabbath. (Exo 20:8-11).
3.   The Sabbath made a covenant sign for the Jews only forever. Death penalty for violations (Israel only). (Exo. 31:12-17).
4.   The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. (Mt. 12:1-8).
5.   Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of the Sabbath. (Col. 2:16).
6.   There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Heb. 4:9-10).
7.   Is the conclusion not obvious?
– In Christ, we are not under the covenant sign of the Jewish Sabbath
– In Christ, there is a special spiritual rest
– None of which alters or affects the fact that as descendants of Adam, the general principle of the Sabbath (one day of rest per week) still applies per the law of nature. And, the one day of rest is on the last day of the week, not the first (Jesus never changed the Sabbath).
– But in observing this, we have liberty and are free from the judgment of others as well as any penalties for “violations.”
– Hooray for the freedom that the law of nature brings, we are free from the curse of the Jewish law!
– See how the law of nature and revealed law mesh with each other, ultimately cooperate (not conflict) with each other, and together give the complete picture of what God wants us to see.

CREATION AS PROCLAMATION

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Ps. 19:1-4). The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous. (Ps. 19:7-9). More to be desired are they than gold; by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Ps. 19:10-11).

Three principal lessons from Ps. 19:
1.   Creation speaks: a) knowledge; and b) laws
2.   Revelation in the stars
3.   This knowledge is valuable
(4.   Ps. 19 is also quoted in Romans 10)

Wrath – (Rom. 1:18-32).
What can be known from creation/heaven and by whom?
– invisible attributes of God
– wrongfulness of idolatry
– all ungodliness and unrighteousness, including envy, murder, malice, deceit, slander, hate, heartlessness and faithlessness
– and that all such things are punishable by death.

If creation speaks a knowledge of sin, then by definition creation must speak the laws of God, since sin is defined as a violation of God’s law

If all have sinned and all are without excuse, then the creation speaks condemnation and wrath to all
– and all men are without excuse
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

Redemption – The plan of redemption is also revealed in the creation.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard [the gospel]? Indeed they have, for Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ [quoting Ps. 19:4] … Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.'” (Rom. 10:17-20).

In other words, Ps. 19:4 is to be understood as the word of Christ going out to all the world. But, how to reconcile with:
– “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
– Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6)

When Abraham had faith, what did He actually believe in? (Gen. 12:1-4; 15:4-6). When God spoke to Abraham, who was actually doing the speaking?
– When the creation speaks, who is actually doing the speaking? Who is the Creator (i.e., what is his name)? (Col. 1:16). In other words, Jesus is the Creator, Jesus speaks for God, and when the creation speaks, it is Jesus who is speaking.

Is there any actual conflict here? NO.

THE GOSPEL WRITTEN IN THE STARS

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. (Ps. 97:6). Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Ps. 119:89). And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years. (Gen. 1:14).

The twelve Zodiac constellations have been observed and recognized by every human civilization in history. Isn’t it possible that they are part of God’s design in the heavens, and not merely the invention of men?

1.   Virgo, the Virgin – Promised Seed of the Woman
2.   Libra, the Balances – Scales of divine justice
3.   Scorpio, the Scorpion – Sting to be inflicted on the promised Seed
4.   Sagittarius, the Archer – Corruption of the human race
5.   Capricornus; the Goat-Fish – Utter wickedness of mankind
6.   Aquarius, the Water Pourer – Destruction of the world by water
7.   Pisces, the Fishes – Emergence of the true people of God
8.   Aries, the Ram – Sacrifice of an innocent Substitute for sins
9.   Taurus, the Bull – Resurrection of the slain Ram as the mighty Bull
10.   Gemini, the Twins – The dual nature of the reigning King
11.   Cancer, the Crab – Ingathering of the redeemed from all ages
12.   Leo, the Lion – Destruction of the fleeing serpent by the great King

As suggested by Henry M. Morris in The Biblical Basis for Modern Science (1984).

SELF-EVIDENT SINS – THE BIG THREE

Idolatry (a violation of the Creator / Creation distinction)
1.   A universal wrong (Ex 20:3-5).
– Particularly odious idolatry – worship of the Queen of Heaven and other female deities
– In Catholicism, Mary is the “Queen of Heaven”
– Also odious is worship of the Host of Heaven (whether angels / stars, or the sun or moon)
– What is the search for aliens really all about?
2.   The link between idolatry and immorality (Rom. 1:21-26).
3.   The link between idolatry and bloodshed (Ps 106:34-39). See also, Jer. 18:15-16.
4.   What is the difference between idolatry and false gods? – Idolatry requires a physical image
5.   God’s judgment will be universal. (Jer. 25:30-31; Rev. 21:8).
6.   The end of idolatry is foretold. (Isa. 2:12, 17-18, 20-22).
7.   One day the world will wake up. (Jer. 16:19-21). – What day?

Immorality (Lev. 18) – a violation of the nature of the family and marriage
1.   Sexual immorality is tied to the law of nature. (Rom. 1:18,24-28, 32).
2.   The laws of sexual immorality are universal.
3.   Sexual immorality is tied to the Law of the Land. (Lev. 18:24-28). [See below]4.   Specific offenses: Incest (improper relation – uncovering nakedness), lewdness (double dealing – depravity), menstrual sex, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, (but not fornication)
5.   Temporal judgment of immorality (Deut 9:5). What does it mean, in practical terms, to be vomited out of any particular land? – Are sexual offenses “victimless crimes”?
6.   Eternal judgment of immorality. 2 Pet 2:4-19
7.   Sexual immorality hearkens back to the angelic rebellion before human history
– The link between defiling passions and despising authority

Violence (murder, rape, kidnapping, slavery, etc.) – a violation of the right to life.

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. … And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” (Gen. 6:11,13).

The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. (Ps. 11:5).

Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. (Ex. 21:16).

Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. (Gen. 9:6).

CREATION LAWS MOST PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT

PUNISHMENTS for moral offenses are never part of the law of nature. All authority to punish wrongs come via divine covenant, not the law of nature, e.g., capital punishment. Cain and Abel as an example:

And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.á… And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.áAnd now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”á… Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear … and whoever finds me will kill me.”á Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. (Gen 4:8-15).

What was Cain’s offense? Murder. It was an offense against the laws of nature, even though no verbal law of murder had been announced.

What was the evidence against Cain? The witness of the ground, i.e., the creation. (See the Law of the Land, below).

The Two Questions that must be asked before punishing any crime: (No one ever asks the second one):
1. Has a crime been committed (as defined by God’s laws)?
2. Have I been given the authority or right to punish this crime?

Why did God protect Cain, a murderer? No one had yet been given the right to punish murder. When was that authority finally granted?

How important are God’s laws of authority? What does “sevenfold” imply?

This is but one example of the law of jurisdiction, i.e., that all authority comes from God, and He alone decides what authority each of us has. See “God’s Laws of Authority,” infra.

LAW OF INHERITANCE

Principle:  Law of genetics = father 50%, mother 50%; Law of inheritance = father 100%, mother 0%. How to test the rule?
1.   In Re Estate of Zelophehad (Num. 27:1,3-4)
– Only sons inherit, not daughters
– Daughters only inherit if there are no sons (Num. 27:6-11).
2.   All biblical genealogies are father-son only
– Women in the genealogies do not alter the trajectory or inheritance of the genealogies
– Non-Jewish women – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba – do not ‘taint’ the genealogy of Jesus in Mat. 1:1-16.
– What would be the result if the law of genetics applied (i.e., women counted for 50%)? (Jesus would be less than fully Jewish.)
3.   Nationality and Ethnicity
– The national identity of ancient Israel was defined as “the sons of Israel.” (Ex. 1:1).
– Also, the census was limited to males. (Num. 1:2).
– Israel was not unique – see the Table of Nations (Gen. 10:5, 20, 31)
4.   The Fall of Mankind
– Limited to the descendants (i.e., inheritors) of Adam – “sin came into the world through one man,” (Rom. 5:12).
– “by a man came death” – “in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:21-22).
– And yet, Eve was the one deceived and sinned first. 1 Tim. 2:14. But she doesn’t count.
5.   Implications for the Virgin Birth of Jesus
– Who carried the sin nature (original sin)?
– If both (or equally) Joseph and Mary, then the virgin birth did nothing
– But if Joseph carried Adam’s curse, and Mary did not, then Aha! – Jesus “knew no sin”
6.   Spiritual Adoption
– Christians are adopted as sons of God. (Gal. 3:26). Only sons are fellow-heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:14-17).
7.   The Sons of God and Daughters of Man (Gen. 6:1-4).
– Who was the direct parent of Adam (and therefore, all men)?
– Who was the direct parent of Eve (and therefore, all women)?
– What is the Hebrew word for “man” in Gen. 6:2? Adam. Adam = Man.
– Sons of God and Daughters of Man = just regular men and women
– It is simply a matter of who is the ultimate parent.

LAW OF THE LAND

Principle:  The land/earth reflects the sin condition or righteousness of its inhabitants.
1.   “Cursed is the ground because of you.” Gen 3:17-18.
– Is man cursed because something is wrong with the ground, or is the ground cursed because there is something wrong with man?
– Which is the initiator, which is the responder?
See, Gen. 4:9-12.
2.   Sin leads to curses above and beyond the original Fall. (Deut. 28:15, 21-24, 38-42).
3.   Blood (murder) pollutes the land (Num. 35:33). Sexual immorality pollutes the land. (Lev. 18:24-28). And idolatry leads to both of these.
4.   Righteousness has the opposite effect (Dt 28:1, 3-4; Isa. 55:6,12). Also, Lk. 19:37-40.
5.   One of the main purposes of punishing crimes is to bring healing or atonement to the land. (Dt. 21:1-9).
6.   What is the root cause of global warming, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods & earthquakes, mud slides, tornadoes, forest fires, drought? Too much dominion, or too much sin?
7.   Healing and restoration of the land is a reward for obedience. 2 Ch 7:14; Eze 47:8-9, 12. One day, God will heal the whole earth.

The earth’s accumulated SIN DEBT. The defilement of the earth from sin has been piling up over time. Eventually, it will need to be expunged. “The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish. The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isa. 24:4-5).

“The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Rom. 8:22-23). Why? What is coming?

God will destroy the earth three times. What are they?
1. Global flood. (Gen. 6:17).
3. Destruction of the earth by fire. (2 Pet. 3:11-12).
2. Global earthquake. (Isa. 24:1,19; Rev. 6:12-14; 16:18-20).

Or consider the NATURE OF THE CALENDAR

Is the calendar, or is it not, self-evident from an observation of the created order? Is the calendar a law of nature? Then why don’t we use it?

Who invented the calendar anyway, God or man?

Where or when exactly did God give man the authority to alter the calendar? (No, I can’t find it either).

Does God know how to tell time? When God measures time in the Bible, is He using our modern calendar, or the one He originally created?

Intro:   A Biblical Worldview Primer
Part 2:   Human Conscience: Moral Awareness
Part 3:   Jesus Christ: The Living Word: Christology 101
Part 4A:   Bible as Law: The Divine Covenants: The Revealed Law
Part 4B:   Bible as Government: Four Great Commands: God’s Laws of Authority
Part 5:   A Biblical Worldview: Putting It All Together