Theonomy: A Reformed Critique

by William S. Barker (Editor), W. Robert Godfrey (Editor)

Theonomy is the idea that most of God's Old Testament laws still apply today

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

413 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

Reviews

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking in this book specifically for some key critiques of theonomy (not Theonomy as in the rhetoric of Rushdoony, but more the theonomy in line with Bahnsen).

I skimmed through the articles but didn't find anything that hadn't been thoroughly addressed by Bahnsen. I did read through Ferguson's article on theonomy and the Westminster Confession and thought he was very reasonable and gracious and while the WCF is not a theonomic document, per se, it certainly accommodates much more of that view than people today believe.

And that's important. I feel like today people say "the moral law is still valid, the judicial law is ALL gone and we can't learn anything from it at all." Even with that, they basically throw their hands up and say "we can't really ever have a moral standard" or "natural law is the standard" (which means pretty much the same thing). So this book did much of the same: "we don't want to put people to death like they did in the Old Testament! So...guess we'll just have to do without any kind of moral standard." Puzzling.

[Wade Stotts · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading the responses to this book (Theonomy: An Informed Response & Westminster's Confession) I have realized how truly bad this book is. This is dishonest scholarship and has been ripped to shreds by theonomic scholars. I would ask that those who have read this and reviewed it positively read the book to which it is responding (Theonomy in Christian Ethics by Greg Bahnsen) and the books which responded to it. The response books are available for free download here:

http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/do...

http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/do...

http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/do...


These response books have not been dealt with by the critics. The Westminster symposium was a shameless hit and run and its authors should be embarrassed.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MAJOR "REFORMED" RESPONSE TO THEONOMY AND "CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION”

This 1990 book contains sixteen essays by faculty members of Westminster Theological Seminary, criticizing both the "Theonomic" (i.e., "God's law") and broader "Christian Reconstruction" viewpoints of persons such as their former students Gary North and Greg Bahnsen. The Preface to this volume states, "The purpose of this volume is to offer a reply from within the Reformed camp, from which theonomy has sprung... the authors of this book share with theonomy many basic theological commitments... The point at issue, however, is one of fundamental hermeneutical perspective: How is the Israelite theocracy under the Mosaic law to be understood and its typological significance related to the proper role of the church and the state today?"

One essayist says, "Most disturbing to those who are introduced to theonomy for the first time, it seems, is its advocacy, not only of the Mosaic case law, but also of its system of punishments. The death penalty for murder is one thing to the contemporary Christian; death for ... intercourse with one's wife during her period, adultery, and blasphemy is another." (Pg. 41) He adds, "Most Christians agree that the death penalty is still in effect for murder, but Bahnsen and Rushdoony extend the list of capital offenses ... (to include) sabbath breaking, kidnapping, apostasy ... false pretension to prophecy... propagating false doctrines... rejecting a decision of the court, and failing to restore bail." (Pg. 44) An essayist asserts, "God caused his special presence to rest in the midst of Israel... However, God has not chosen America as a nation. He does not dwell on the banks of the Potomac as he did on Mount Zion... The church does not seek the death of blasphemers who are in the church but their excommunication." (Pg. 48)

Another argues, "Bahnsen will not concede the obvious point that in Matthew 5:38-42 Christ abrogates the principle of immediate justice; Christ will bring justice in the parousia... The many specific changes of the law in the New Testament seriously undermine the thesis that the burden of proof rests upon the interpreter to show that the law is not in force." (Pg. 81)

Still another asks, "If theonomy is the consistent teaching of Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith, why does it seem that we have discovered it only now, in late twentieth-century America? Why not, say, in seventeenth-century England or in nineteenth-century Holland?" (Pg. 245)

This book is "must reading" for people on ANY side of the Christian Reconstruction/Theonomy debate.

[Justin Lyttle · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were really only a few chapters that offered much of a genuine critique of Theonomy. To be frank Im only familiar with Bahnsen's view in detail, and most of the chapters in this book were largely unhelpful. Poythress, Godfrey, Ferguson, and Logan were really the only ones worth reading. Poythress because he offered an actual argument, and the other 3 because of helpful historical information. Overall not that great, especially for what it is selling for used since it is out of print.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a good volume, although some contributors were much better than others. From my perspective, there is much to appreciate from the theonomist writers without actually being a theonomist. I have heard that there was a rebuttal to this work, so I hope to read it at some point.

[Mark Lickliter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I hoped it would be. I agreed with many of the concerns. I just didn't learn anything new. I'd be interested in a more updated critique. It would be interesting to hear current adherents discuss this issue.

[JR Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, though a bit dull at places, as would be expected. Last chapter could have been left out.

[Ben Sibley]

Partial.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theonomy has, thankfully, died an easy death, so why read this book? For the strength of its scholarship. John Frame, Sinclair Ferguson, Tim Keller (before he was "famous"), Bruce Waltke, Dick Gaffin, Moises Silva, Vern Poythress, Dennis Johnson, Tremper Longman, and several others contributed to this volume. What is really scary is that they were all at Westminster (east or west) at the time! Their chapters are worth reading because of their careful exegesis, historical depth, and robust theology. And we should all be concerned with how to apply the law properly to our own day. Despite the dated debate partner and the even more dated cover art, this book is a keeper. Now I've got to return it to the library.

[Claude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good points made that raise more questions for me and increase my desire to find answers within Scripture. One almost feels like the conclusion was a bit of a cop-out trying to group hug those that have been engaged with. Does it allow me to reach a definitive stance on theonomy? No.

[Michael Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Gaffin's article on theonomy and eschatology is worth the price of the book alone. Perhaps a shallow critique of the entire book, where some chapters were better than others; but Gaffin's article sealed it, IMHO.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid exegetical and historical critique of Theonomy, that to my mind anyway, was compelling.