Theonomy
A view held among orthodox Christians
The view that the civil laws of the Old Testament, including their penalties, remain the standard for civil government today unless the New Testament changes them.
Also called: theonomist, theonomic, Christian Reconstructionism, Reconstructionism, Reconstructionist
What it means
Theonomy, from the Greek for "God's law," teaches that the whole law of God, including the civil laws given to Israel and their penalties, continues to bind civil governments today, except where the New Testament modifies or fulfils it. Its holders argue from Jesus' words that he did not come to abolish the Law, and from Paul's description of the magistrate as God's servant to punish evil. The modern movement, sometimes called Christian Reconstructionism, arose in American Presbyterian circles in the twentieth century and is often joined to postmillennialism.
Theonomists stress that the change should come through the gospel and persuasion, not force, and that God's law offers wisdom and justice that modern states lack.
Many Reformed Christians have honest concerns. The Westminster Confession says the judicial laws "expired together with the State of that people" and bind now only in their "general equity," and the 1689 confession says the same. Theonomists read that phrase as supporting their view, while most Reformed theologians read it as narrower. Critics also note that the New Testament never calls the church to seek civil penalties, and that Israel's law was given to a holy nation in a unique covenant. This is a contested position within Reformed churches, recorded here as a view.
In Scripture
Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfil it, and not the least stroke will pass away.
Israel's statutes would show its wisdom and righteousness to the nations.
The ruler is God's servant, an avenger who brings wrath on the wrongdoer.
In calling the covenant new, God has made the first one obsolete.
Paul says God judges outsiders, while the church judges those inside it.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 19.4; LBCF 1689 19.4; WCF 23.3
On this site: Church & state
Related terms
PostmillennialismA view held among orthodox Christians
The view that Christ will return after a long age in which the gospel spreads and the nations are widely converted.
Two kingdomsA view held among orthodox Christians
The view that Christ rules the church and the civil order in different ways, so the church's calling is to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments rather than to pursue political programmes.
Christian nationalismA view held among orthodox Christians
A range of views holding that a nation should formally recognise Christianity and order its laws and public life by Christian principles, sometimes tied to a particular national identity.
Three uses of the lawHistoric orthodoxy
The Reformation teaching that God's moral law restrains evil in society, shows sinners their need of Christ, and guides believers in grateful obedience.