Hi Michael. Thanks for responding, and for following the series!
Very quickly: my view is that DCM and "natural law" are two sides in an intramural debate within broader natural law theory on the relationship of God's nature to the natural order and the Decalogue. Did he design the natural order/reveal the Decalogue in accordance with his nature, or merely his will? There isn't significant disagreement regarding the content. So I don't consider them two theories, rather two schools of thought within a broader theory. I haven't treated it separately (yet) because my series is an "introduction." As for "options," I say that Christians should be involved in politics in all kinds of ways, especially, if we're gifted to do so (not everyone is). More narrowly, there's been a debate about whether we can vote for a morally-compromised candidate. My point is that the criterion is first-and-foremost the degree to which he or she will uphold natural law, which as you know, includes the First Table, having to do with the worship of God. So a "friendly atheist," perhaps a Jordan Peterson, may be preferable to a professing Christian who is an avowed secularist.
I have enjoyed reading your series over the past few days. Afterward, I spent some time comparing Natural Law with Divine Command Theory out of curiosity. (It has provided a needed break from my thesis proposal research.)
Considering the options, the role of media, traditional and social, should not be overlooked. Christians by simply being more outgoing about their support for Biblical values and proper human flourishing could non-violently revolt against the current cultural norms. Instances of this do seem to be happening with alternative media, church gatherings formally labeled as "protests," and recent boycotts of some companies. Could some Christian activism even be God directed?
Hi Michael. Thanks for responding, and for following the series!
Very quickly: my view is that DCM and "natural law" are two sides in an intramural debate within broader natural law theory on the relationship of God's nature to the natural order and the Decalogue. Did he design the natural order/reveal the Decalogue in accordance with his nature, or merely his will? There isn't significant disagreement regarding the content. So I don't consider them two theories, rather two schools of thought within a broader theory. I haven't treated it separately (yet) because my series is an "introduction." As for "options," I say that Christians should be involved in politics in all kinds of ways, especially, if we're gifted to do so (not everyone is). More narrowly, there's been a debate about whether we can vote for a morally-compromised candidate. My point is that the criterion is first-and-foremost the degree to which he or she will uphold natural law, which as you know, includes the First Table, having to do with the worship of God. So a "friendly atheist," perhaps a Jordan Peterson, may be preferable to a professing Christian who is an avowed secularist.
Hello Dr. Meriwether,
I have enjoyed reading your series over the past few days. Afterward, I spent some time comparing Natural Law with Divine Command Theory out of curiosity. (It has provided a needed break from my thesis proposal research.)
Considering the options, the role of media, traditional and social, should not be overlooked. Christians by simply being more outgoing about their support for Biblical values and proper human flourishing could non-violently revolt against the current cultural norms. Instances of this do seem to be happening with alternative media, church gatherings formally labeled as "protests," and recent boycotts of some companies. Could some Christian activism even be God directed?
I look forward to your next article.
Great series of articles Nick, thanks for publishing this.