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No Other Standard: Theonomy and Its Critics
This is Greg Bahnsen's response to criticisms of the theonomic position that have been published or circulated over the last ten years. Bahnsen deals not only with Westminster Theological Seminary's A Reformed Critique, but also with two other brief critical books against him, and with various published articles and typewritten, photocopied responses. One by one, Bahnsen takes his critics' arguments apart, showing that they have either misrepresented his position or misrepresented the Bible. Line by line, point by point, he shows that they have not understood his arguments and have also not understood the vulnerability of their own logical and theological positions.
345 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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160 people want to read
About the author
Greg L. Bahnsen
77 books145 followersGreg L. Bahnsen was an influential Calvinist Christian philosopher, apologist, and debater. He was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies.
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August 16, 2013This is THE best book on the subject. What Greg Bahnsen did for presuppositional apologetics, he does here for theonomy. A definite MUST read.
October 11, 2014
This is Bahnsen's best book. I don't fully agree with his thesis, but he does a good job in showing how sloppy WTS's argumentation can get. A logical tour-de-fource.
May 17, 2021
This is by far Bahnsen’s best work. TCE is more important for justifying the theonomic framework both exegetically and theologically, but “No Other Standard” wins in its answering of critics. I was at first dissatisfied with the length of the book, under 300 pages, but Bahnsen wastes no space. Getting right to the point, he answers his critics exegetically, logically (often addressing/naming fallacies and giving comparable invalid syllogisms to showcase the invalidity of the arguments), theologically, and by addressing straw men. I bought the book thinking it was a response to “Theonomy: A Reformed Critique,” but, while it does address many arguments contained therein, it is a response to several books, articles, journals, and even unpublished papers. I would highly recommend this book.
July 28, 2013
“Of all the wicked heresies and threatening movements facing the church in our day, when Westminster Seminary finally organized their faculty to write something in unison, they gave their determined political efforts: not to fight socialism, not to fight homosexuality, not abortion, not crime and mayhem in our society, not subjectivism in theology, not dispensationalism, not cultural relativism, not licentiousness, not defection from the New Testament, not defection from the Westminster Confession of Faith, all of which are out there, and they could give their legitimate efforts to. Boy the thing they had to write about - was Theonomy!”
-Greg L. Bahnsen, "Law and Disgrace" sermon, Chalcedon Presbyterian Church, 1993
In 1973, Greg Bahnsen graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA) with two Master’s degrees (M. Div, Th.M.). His thesis, approved by the overseeing faculty, was “The Theonomic Responsibility of the Civil Magistrate,” in which he set out to establish the theological premise that unless otherwise indicated by further revelation from God Himself, God’s law, including the civil penal sanctions, has moral abiding validity. From the encouragement of his professor John Frame, he reworked this thesis so that it could be published as a book. In 1977 it was published as Theonomy in Christian Ethics. You can see my review for that work here.
In 1990 a book titled Theonomy: A Reformed Critique was published as a joint venture from the faculties at both Westminster Theological Seminaries (Philadelphia, PA and Escondido, CA) and other theologians to establish a “Reformed answer” to Greg Bahnsen’s work (it took 17 years - from the date of his thesis - to formulate a “response”). In 1991, Bahnsen himself responded to their “critique” with this book, No Other Standard.
If you’ve ever wondered if there were any gaping holes in the Theonomic perspective of theology, this book will settle the matter. In his normal fashion, Bahnsen applies the doctrines of Scripture with rigorous logical skill to show that God’s Word must be our standard in all matters of life - including politics and socio-political ethics.
Chapter after chapter he demonstrates, in loving appropriateness, that the “critique” offered by the Westminster Seminaries are either not Biblical, not logical, or not meaningful. They either don’t use the Bible as the authority for their critique of the theonomic perspective (and so negate that they’re putting forth the “Reformed” answer), or when trying to use the Bible they entangle themselves in logical fallacies, or they end up not critiquing theonomy at all - either by ultimately agreeing with it or destroying only straw-man arguments.
By going through Theonomy: A Reformed Critique Bahnsen shows once again that when the Bible is not presupposed as the authority for all of life and faith, we really are left with no other standard. It can’t be overstated that Bahnsen didn’t really say anything “new” in Theonomy or his other works on the subject. It’s basic Puritan Reformed Theology. The thing that Bahnsen brings to the table is his exegetical skill, his theological depth, and his logical rigor in applying that theology to modern life.
Of all the works by Bahnsen Theonomy in Christian Ethics was by far the most helpful to me in seeing God’s Word applied. But if there is any thought after reading that great work that the theonomic position might not be tenable, this book will show that it is, at the very least, more tenable than any other system of socio-political ethics, but better yet it will more probably encourage you in your thinking that theonomy truly is the only Biblically tenable position to take.
Indeed, in reading through Bahnsen’s works on this perspective and listening to his teaching on the subject, I’ve experienced the same sentiments expressed by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (one of Bahnsen’s students when he taught at Reformed Theological Seminary - Jackson, MI):
“Initially I resisted Bahnsen’s unusual positions. In fact, I set about to challenge those positions... But anyone who has experienced Bahnsen’s instruction, knows that he was so careful in his presentation, so logical in his argumentation, so quick in his thinking, so Biblical in his foundations, and so forceful in his conclusions that all hope of credible resistance was futile. I eventually was swayed by his presentations and adopted his positions. And I have never regretted having done so.”
-Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel: The Life and Ministry of Greg L. Bahnsen
I believe if you carefully read through Bahnsen’s works on these matters, with Bible in hand, you’ll come to the same conclusion as so many have done before - to the glory of God.
-Greg L. Bahnsen, "Law and Disgrace" sermon, Chalcedon Presbyterian Church, 1993
In 1973, Greg Bahnsen graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA) with two Master’s degrees (M. Div, Th.M.). His thesis, approved by the overseeing faculty, was “The Theonomic Responsibility of the Civil Magistrate,” in which he set out to establish the theological premise that unless otherwise indicated by further revelation from God Himself, God’s law, including the civil penal sanctions, has moral abiding validity. From the encouragement of his professor John Frame, he reworked this thesis so that it could be published as a book. In 1977 it was published as Theonomy in Christian Ethics. You can see my review for that work here.
In 1990 a book titled Theonomy: A Reformed Critique was published as a joint venture from the faculties at both Westminster Theological Seminaries (Philadelphia, PA and Escondido, CA) and other theologians to establish a “Reformed answer” to Greg Bahnsen’s work (it took 17 years - from the date of his thesis - to formulate a “response”). In 1991, Bahnsen himself responded to their “critique” with this book, No Other Standard.
If you’ve ever wondered if there were any gaping holes in the Theonomic perspective of theology, this book will settle the matter. In his normal fashion, Bahnsen applies the doctrines of Scripture with rigorous logical skill to show that God’s Word must be our standard in all matters of life - including politics and socio-political ethics.
Chapter after chapter he demonstrates, in loving appropriateness, that the “critique” offered by the Westminster Seminaries are either not Biblical, not logical, or not meaningful. They either don’t use the Bible as the authority for their critique of the theonomic perspective (and so negate that they’re putting forth the “Reformed” answer), or when trying to use the Bible they entangle themselves in logical fallacies, or they end up not critiquing theonomy at all - either by ultimately agreeing with it or destroying only straw-man arguments.
By going through Theonomy: A Reformed Critique Bahnsen shows once again that when the Bible is not presupposed as the authority for all of life and faith, we really are left with no other standard. It can’t be overstated that Bahnsen didn’t really say anything “new” in Theonomy or his other works on the subject. It’s basic Puritan Reformed Theology. The thing that Bahnsen brings to the table is his exegetical skill, his theological depth, and his logical rigor in applying that theology to modern life.
Of all the works by Bahnsen Theonomy in Christian Ethics was by far the most helpful to me in seeing God’s Word applied. But if there is any thought after reading that great work that the theonomic position might not be tenable, this book will show that it is, at the very least, more tenable than any other system of socio-political ethics, but better yet it will more probably encourage you in your thinking that theonomy truly is the only Biblically tenable position to take.
Indeed, in reading through Bahnsen’s works on this perspective and listening to his teaching on the subject, I’ve experienced the same sentiments expressed by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (one of Bahnsen’s students when he taught at Reformed Theological Seminary - Jackson, MI):
“Initially I resisted Bahnsen’s unusual positions. In fact, I set about to challenge those positions... But anyone who has experienced Bahnsen’s instruction, knows that he was so careful in his presentation, so logical in his argumentation, so quick in his thinking, so Biblical in his foundations, and so forceful in his conclusions that all hope of credible resistance was futile. I eventually was swayed by his presentations and adopted his positions. And I have never regretted having done so.”
-Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel: The Life and Ministry of Greg L. Bahnsen
I believe if you carefully read through Bahnsen’s works on these matters, with Bible in hand, you’ll come to the same conclusion as so many have done before - to the glory of God.
August 9, 2011
As interesting as this old reformed stuff can be.
July 27, 2024
BAHNSEN'S RESPONSE TO WESTMINSTER'S CRITIQUE
Greg L. Bahnsen (1948-1995) was a Calvinist philosopher, apologist, Christian Reconstructionist, and skilled debater. He was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies. This is Bahnsen's response to 'Theonomy: A Reformed Critique,' from the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary (his alma mater).
He says, "One line of criticism ... (is that) Since SOME of these (OT) laws are obviously not to be observed today (for instance, the sacrificial cultus), therefore ALL of these laws must likewise not be obligatory. Theonomic ethics challenges this line of thinking, defending the traditional theological distinction between 'ceremonial' and 'moral' laws within the Old Testament." (Pg. 93)
He asserts, "This moral principle is that no individual has the right to deprive another individual of his life (murder), freedom (kidnapping), or property (theft) apart from divine authorization. God has given this authorization and the specified terms under which it is to be used to civil leaders, who alone may execute, imprison, or fine people..." (Pg. 196) He adds, "Given this moral principle... there is nothing whatsoever 'peculiar' about theonomists arguing for a limited civil government... a separate church... and a basically free market (since neither the state nor other individuals have been authorized to interfere with property rights except as God has permitted)." (Pg. 196)
He summarizes, "(Tremper) Longman believes that theonomists feel that the application of the Old Testament penal sanctions today is an easy and simple matter, not difficult at all... Those who know me and my teaching know better; I have never considered this an uncomplicated and simple matter... (What disturbs me, of course, are those who insist it is an impossible thing to do or something we morally ought not even try to do.) ... Of course, we can make mistakes in applying it. This shortcoming, I trust, does not invalidate our arguments for the NEED to apply the law of God)..." (Pg 262-263)
He charges, "It is not accidental that the glaring socio-political and criminal problems of the late twentieth century concern matters where our society has turned against the specific directives of God's law... Have the critics of theonomic ethics not noticed this? Do they have any other standard to propose than God's law? What exactly is the alternative they have to theonomic ethics?" (Pg. 269)
Bahnsen's book is "must reading" for anyone studying Christian Reconstruction/Theonomy.
Greg L. Bahnsen (1948-1995) was a Calvinist philosopher, apologist, Christian Reconstructionist, and skilled debater. He was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies. This is Bahnsen's response to 'Theonomy: A Reformed Critique,' from the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary (his alma mater).
He says, "One line of criticism ... (is that) Since SOME of these (OT) laws are obviously not to be observed today (for instance, the sacrificial cultus), therefore ALL of these laws must likewise not be obligatory. Theonomic ethics challenges this line of thinking, defending the traditional theological distinction between 'ceremonial' and 'moral' laws within the Old Testament." (Pg. 93)
He asserts, "This moral principle is that no individual has the right to deprive another individual of his life (murder), freedom (kidnapping), or property (theft) apart from divine authorization. God has given this authorization and the specified terms under which it is to be used to civil leaders, who alone may execute, imprison, or fine people..." (Pg. 196) He adds, "Given this moral principle... there is nothing whatsoever 'peculiar' about theonomists arguing for a limited civil government... a separate church... and a basically free market (since neither the state nor other individuals have been authorized to interfere with property rights except as God has permitted)." (Pg. 196)
He summarizes, "(Tremper) Longman believes that theonomists feel that the application of the Old Testament penal sanctions today is an easy and simple matter, not difficult at all... Those who know me and my teaching know better; I have never considered this an uncomplicated and simple matter... (What disturbs me, of course, are those who insist it is an impossible thing to do or something we morally ought not even try to do.) ... Of course, we can make mistakes in applying it. This shortcoming, I trust, does not invalidate our arguments for the NEED to apply the law of God)..." (Pg 262-263)
He charges, "It is not accidental that the glaring socio-political and criminal problems of the late twentieth century concern matters where our society has turned against the specific directives of God's law... Have the critics of theonomic ethics not noticed this? Do they have any other standard to propose than God's law? What exactly is the alternative they have to theonomic ethics?" (Pg. 269)
Bahnsen's book is "must reading" for anyone studying Christian Reconstruction/Theonomy.
August 30, 2023
Brutal and rigorous logic destroys most of the opponents criticisms as Bahnsen systematically dismantles their arguments. While not the most interesting of books, this read fairly easily and serves as a great apologetic for the theonomic position and will make a great reference. The conclusion is especially powerful: "The most persuasive refutation-and biggest indictment- of those who have criticized theonomic ethics is not the detailed rebuttals founds in the preceding pages. It is that they have no other standard to offer which can deal with the problems theonomy addresses. My experience has been, to be honest, that the critics show very little concern for those practical problems of men and society; their lifestyles insulate them from criminal and political injustice."
Bahnsen's writing is a little dorky at times, with his overuse of italics and exclamation marks, but it ends up reading a lot like his preaching, so it suits him.
Bahnsen's writing is a little dorky at times, with his overuse of italics and exclamation marks, but it ends up reading a lot like his preaching, so it suits him.
December 5, 2023
Possibly Bahnsen's best work on the subject. While not as comprehensive on the overall topic of theonomy, it helps to hyper focus the argument Bahnsen made in Theonomy in Christian Ethics. There is likely less to be gained by not being as familiar with many of the critiques which Bahnsen is combatting but it is none the less helpful to see Bahnsen's efficient mind in full on debate mode. Even if you are not a theonomist, you have to walk away saying his opponents didn't know what hit them.
March 13, 2017
This is a master-class in defending your theological convictions. Lucid, logical, forceful yet gentle, Bahnsen gives a very competent defense of his positions. Deserving of a careful reading from anyone interested in the theonomy debate.
January 8, 2016
Good for solidifying one's views of Theonomy but not a place to start. This has a lot of picking apart of others views which made this less edifying than By This Standard which was excellent.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews