Introduction to our Lent studies: Natural Law & the Ten commandments

This is one of the topics for the Lent studies in March, so it is a bit of advertising if you like – a flavour of what is to come during the studies. One of the difficulties that face the Church and individual Christians is relativism. One way to put this is that morality is relative to the custom and insights of a particular culture. As we live in a multi-cultural society, we tend to allow the free practice of an individual’s cultural values as having equal value to my own – however, before long we can end up in trouble. Is it right that in some cultures, a young woman can be killed if she publically shames and disgraces her family’s honour? We have a sense that this wrong and misguided – regardless of culture or religion. So, when we react like that to these situations what is going on with our thinking?

The Christian Church affirms that truth is not relative it is an absolute. The Church also understands that there are principals, which govern all people of every race, regardless of religion or culture and these we call Natural Law. A key definition is, Natural Law is known by reason (that it is reasonable), it is the universal law of human nature for living well and it works for the greater good of human beings. So, we have some basic principals which everyone understands without being a person of any faith - for example, dishonouring parents, murder, theft, adultery and lying are universally considered bad things for family and society. Each of these basic principles can be expanded upon. There are some international covenants that are based on Natural Law, like civil and human rights. In our own country, the principles of Natural Law become enshrined in our legislated laws. Murder is against Natural Law but it is defined and enforced by the Criminal Law of our nation. Even here, we need to be careful. Just because the Race Laws of Nazi Germany were formally enacted does not make it right – Natural Law judges it to be unjust and unreasonable. The Church would understand that as God is our creator he has written into our common being and nature these principals, which govern all people. When Moses gave the People of Israel the Ten Commandments he was stating that it was God’s will that the main principles of the Natural Law have also a spiritual dimension because it governs the way his people live out their relationship with Him. Murder is not just an un-lawful act it also has a spiritual consequence as well, for God is the author life – it is his property.