Second American Revolution: Andrew Sandlin (2 of 4)

Question: Can we really legislate the biblical standards of morality on non-Christians? The non-Christian doesn't even believe in the Bible, so how can we even talk about building a society based on the Law of God?

Andrew Sandlin: There is a great deal more in the Bible about political truth than most people recognize. Much of it is in the Old Testament. But since the modern evangelical ethos tends to oppose the abiding authority of the Old Testament, they don't recognize the political implications and the political standards that the Old Testament sets forth. I realize that the Bible does not speak specifically to every conceivable political issue, but it speaks to many more issues, directly or by implication, than many evangelicals would admit.

We certainly believe in the ethical precepts of the law. But it is not ours to do away even with the case laws. We may not always understand how to apply all of the case laws, but we have to take all of the Law of God seriously. It is not ours to play pick and choose. I like this law against homosexuality, but I don't like this law governing marital intercourse. We have to abide by the law of God when it is established even if we do not understand it well. We need to work hard on the task of exegesis, understanding the Law of God. But when we do come to an understanding, we need to abide by it.

It is not our responsibility to select certain portions of the Law of God that we like. I realize that in late 20th century America, we have certain tender sensibilities about how abortionists or homosexuals should be treated. We live according to a "rights" theory of life, rather than a responsibility view of life. So there are some of God's laws that do, especially on first reading, seem harsh and difficult. The question we have to ask is -- Are we going to conform our ideas and practice to the Law of God? -- Or are we going to permit the modern culture dictate to us our ethical values? No, even though there are some difficulties in the Law of God and difficulties in enforcing the Law of God, if we are going to say that we believe the Bible, sola scriptura, then we have to day that the Law of God must prevail in the society even in the parts that we consider difficult.

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• Sandlin
• Christian
• Culture
• God's
• Law
• Society

[walkaboutwithme]

Someone please tell me how and in what way this moron is any better than the Taliban?

[jcr4runner]

Both are more intelligent than you, but Andrew is the most intelligent.

[ultraspamboy]

Well, he totally marred the corners of his beard, and he totally is probably wearing a shirt of blended materials, and I bet he doesn't even have tassels on the four corners of his clothing.

That, and he thinks we should turn to Bronze Age nomads for moral guidance.

[jcr4runner]

Spam Boy,

The ceremonial aspects of the law are not binding in the New Covenant. The moral aspects are. Have you never read the book of Hebrews?

[ultraspamboy]

The moral underpinnings of this system of law are very primitive and clearly based on the social settings of a small tribe with very little technology and no outside interaction (i.e. diplomacy or cultural exchange) beyond warfare.

People like Sandlin represent a step backwards for human endeavor, and not just any step. They wish to take us back to an era of cowering fear, of fire and brimstone. This is an insult to the human spirit.

[jcr4runner]

Have you never read the book of Hebrews? Apparently not.

[walkaboutwithme]

The American Revolution was the crown of gold produced by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment threw off the yoke of Christianity. These people are seeking a reaction not a revolution.

[kushisaac]

the misunderstanding of the law of God, the distictions therein, and the application of it outside of ancient Israel is so prevelent today, not only with unbelievers, who I would expect to get it wrong but also with Christians themselves. Sadly, the church has followed the world's lead on this.

[superkal2006]

the attempt of the body of christ to become social activists results in the crimes of the past being re-enact the sins of the past. a wordly political system that attempts to push forward christianity becomes a form of triumphalism and will not work. the faith of christ can operate in power within any system no matter how vile or resistant that system is to the faith of christ. let the world systems rise and fall, like the waves of the sea, they wash up dirst and then take it away.

[davidjakewillis]

But you are "pickey choosey" because you don't stone to death people of other religions. How long until the public executions for adultery or child disobedience? At least you assert these ideas on the basis that it would be a "revolution", therefore claiming that the United States was not based on such totalitarian ideals.