Natural Law: A Short Companion

Essentials in Christian Ethics

by David VanDrunen, C. Ben Mitchell (Editor), Jason Thacker (Editor)

David VanDrunen’s Natural A Short Companion  outlines what Scripture teaches about natural law. Scripture never uses the term “natural law,” but it repeatedly refers to the reality of natural law or assumes its existence. The existence of natural law underlies what Scripture says about God’s own nature, the cosmic order, the image of God, human community, the gospel of Christ, and the final judgment. Moreover, the story of Scripture from the original creation to the new creation wouldn’t hold together without natural law. Through this work, readers should come to know their Bibles better and know God better.  
 

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Law

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Matt Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good! The clarity and brevity is impressive. You could recommend this to anyone, whether familiar with natural law or new to it. I could hardly put it down and now I’m eager to read one of his deeper, more meaty books. I also found myself in broad agreement with his approach to natural law and culture/politics.

[Noah Senthil · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Rating 4.5)

This was an extremely clear primer on natural law, especially for evangelical Christians who tend toward biblicism. This, in large part, is a multi-pronged biblical defense of natural law (specifically) and general revelation (broadly). But I really enjoyed the final two chapters about natural law in the Christian life and in the public square.

I disagreed with his comparison of biblical law in the Old Testament vs. New Testament in a couple places, but that was fairly minor and mostly incidental to the overall argument.

Christians MUST retrieve natural law for the sake of our families, our churches, and society at large. Thankfully, there’s renewed interest in the topic among many, and this kind of resource will serve them well. Highly recommend!

[Jack Schutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall, but was surprised by the weakness of his application in the final chapters. This is a Kuyperian 3 stars, not a Van Tillian 3 stars. Let the reader understand.

[Richard Lawrence]

Mixed thoughts on this; some of it is very helpful particularly the biblical case that natural law exists and the chapter on its use in Christian Living. But I think David Haines's intro gives a much sharper/more helpful explanation of what Natural Law is - though this may be a difference in doctrine not merely presentation.

Whilst VanDrunen's exegesis suggests quite a broad concept of Natural Law, when it comes to learning it and using it, his approach is mostly limited to practical wisdom.

[Logan Heinrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my attempt to summarize why I found this book helpful. This is obviously a vast subject with many complexities. He does good job clarifying the discussion and provides a very concise primer on natural law and how Christians are to engage it.

1. His arguments are defended and illustrated primarily by Scripture and not complex philosophical arguments. I honestly think it would be difficult to refute his arguments biblically.

2. It explains how special and natural revelation are not to be pitted against one another but clarifies how both are profoundly God’s revelation and are in harmony. And that at various points special revelation authoritatively interprets natural law(revelation) as opposed to special revelation imposing meaning on nature.

3. It provides a biblical framework for how Christians are to grow in wisdom. (Mainly illustrated through the book of Proverbs).

4. He demonstrates natural laws usefulness and limitations in political and societal engagement. I think this perspective is missing in a lot of the so called Christian Nationalism debates (although he does not get into that but it obviously is deeply connected). He explains the importance of humility as we make natural law arguments in the public square.

5. He explains that natural law is a catholic doctrine and not among the list of errors that the reformation was attempting to correct.

6. He shows how natural law functions as the standard for universal condemnation and how the gospel is good news for those who “are a law unto themselves”.

7. He shows how pre-modernity, modernity, and post-modernity has influenced (unwittingly) how we think of natural law with the pre-modern understanding being most aligned with the biblical witness.

8. He explains how Christians are to interpret creation as meaningful through the lens of Gods revelation, both special and natural.

9. He explains how are to think of natural law in a culture who has gone mad and deeply suppressed the truth in unrighteousness.

I could go on. I found it really helpful. It didn’t really change my mind on much but it did help me to sort a lot of things out in my mind and theology.

[Cameron McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book delivering deep yet well-polished content in a fairly short number pages. To summarise his thesis, VanDrunen argues from a Christian perspective that natural law is a law of God made known in the created order, which all human beings know, although they sinfully resist this knowledge.

VanDrunen very helpfully shows how natural law is a concept within Scripture itself, and also makes a very convincing and helpful case for how many (notably pre-Mosaic) characters in the biblical narrative appeal to natural law when making correct judgements. VanDrunen also points out how the teaching of wisdom in Proverbs relies heavily on that universal understanding of natural law. VanDrunen’s use of Romans 1 throughout the book is faithful and clarifying for his argument. God is just to punish those who wilfully go against this natural law (everyone), because they know that it is wrong, this includes those who have no knowledge of God’s special revelation in Scripture.

This book masterfully shows how the existence of natural law shows how God has created the world meaningfully and purposefully, and to deny that would mean to say that there isn’t really a knowable purpose for the existence of anything that God has created. Indeed, perhaps what makes this book unique is its fantastic encouragement to Christians to engage arguments from natural law when in the public square. Not everyone will understand the Bible, the Bible itself is clear on that fact, but, everyone understands natural law, and so, one should first appeal to natural law, when discussing God in the public square.

A very helpful little book on perhaps a more abstract concept that most Christians don’t regularly think about. Thanks David VanDrunen.

[Matthew Gasperoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say I’ve never given much thought to natural law. However, this short study does it justice by clearly communicating the author’s points and perspective. I don’t think I’ll see Proverbs in quite the same light again. When viewed through the lens of natural law, it takes on an additional perspective that I find very helpful.

Admittedly, I wrestle with some of the challenges the author presents regarding how to apply this concept in the public sphere for the common good of society. I find it difficult to separate the efforts in living a peaceful life among non-believers from considering the eternal aspect of their salvation.

The author certainly doesn’t suggest that salvation isn’t in view. However, in striving to live in a peaceful society, using the Bible as a point of leverage with nonbelievers is often unfruitful. Instead, understanding natural law and using it indirectly for the benefit of society, others, and our neighbors can be potentially more successful.

I’ll have to chew on this, consider it more in the coming weeks and months, and revisit some of my notes and annotations.

Nonetheless, a helpful read that I’m glad I made time for.

[Daryl-Ann]

Very good.

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As introductions go, this was stellar!

Christians need to know the biblical and philosophical basis for why natural law exists and how to employ it, alongside scripture, in life and the public square

An awesome intro that addresses that, from an indisputable expert on the subject

[Bpm3g · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Clear, concise, logical, helpful and encouraging. Wholeheartedly recommend to other believers seeking to understand God’s revealed order and wisdom from the natural world.

[Braley Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent