Product Description

The position which has come to be labeled "theonomy" today holds that the word of the Lord is the sole, supreme, and unchallengeable standard for the actions and attitudes of all men in all reas of life. It also teaches that since the fall it has always been unlawful to use the law of God in hopes of establishing one's own personal merit and justification. Commitment to obedience is but the lifestyle of faith, a token of gratitude for God's redeeming grace. Jesus said, "if you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Moreover, we will strive to teach others to observe whatever He has commanded us (Matt. 28:18-20). Such healthy and necessary moral standards are surely not burdensome to the believer who bows to Christ as the Lord (1 John 5:3). Dr. Greg Bahnsen left this world for His eternal reward in Christ on December 11, 1995. We that remain are grateful to him for his labor, scholarship, love, and most of all, for his faithfulness to Christ. "Theonomy in Christian Ethics" started as a quite masters thesis in fulfillment of a Master of Theology degree from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1973. First published in 1977, this volume unexpectedly shook the theological establishment in its call for a return to God's law as the only perfect standard of righteousness for civil ethics. Twenty-five years later it continues to challenge the church to unashamedly embrace the "Word of God, contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only rule of faith and life." This 25th anniversary edition of "Theonomy in Christian Ethics" offers a third preface by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., a larger, reformatted page over previous editions, and a few minor changes and added notes. The inclusion of the CD rom with this book offers not only an e-book form of "Theonomy", but also many other resources by Dr. Bahnsen related to the topic of Christian ethics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #346197 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-01
• Binding: Hardcover
• 610 pages

From the Publisher
It is only because of God that I have life and a life that is meaningful. Without at all losing sighof the tremendous distinction between Creator and creature, I would rather say that God is my meaning and God is my life. "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). I can make a list of all the really important things that have happened to me throughout my life and career - all of the special moments of accomplishments, all of the things which have communicated joy or dignity or purpose, all of the things which have deep meaning for my life - and over against that list, I still say from the bottom of my heart, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25).

With the simple and few wrds that I have, then, I would say that God has always been to me an inescapable and holy presence (cf. David's testimony in Psalm 139). God has been a secret source of personal acceptance and forgiveness, when at times there were doubts about any human source of the same. God has been a stabilizing strength as well as the fire of eagerness, whether in negative situations of adversity or positive mes of opportunity. God has been my ideal of moral perfection and, thus, both a constant rebuke to my falling short of His glory and a gentle guide in the right direction. God has been the sovereign and incomprehensible governor of every detail of my life - something which has (ironically to those who dispute such a portrayal of Him) filled me with a sense of freedom and understanding.

There is no religion for me apart from the historical work of the Son of God, applied to me in the power of the Holy Spirit. The story of Christ's incarnation, life, miracles, teaching, self-sacrificial death, powerful resurrection and glorious ascension is to me the story of stories - the historical truth which provides the paradigm for interpreting everything about myself. Life has been for me, on a day to day basis, a matter of seeing ever more fuller, deeper, and clearer how that saving story provides the integration and meaning of everything that has happened to me - of everything I am or hope to be. Many years ago I chose as a testimony verse Galatians 2:20. I understand better now than thn how appropriate it was. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Greg L. Bahnsen

From the Inside Flap
Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen, one of the most effective Christian apologists of the twentieth century, consistently underscored the abiding authority of the word of God and the requirement to apply it to all olife. In addition to apologetics, his seminarl work, "Theonomy in Christian Ethics", is still challenging the church to honor all of God's word as the only perfect standard of righteousness.

Known for his rigorous logic and theological depth, Dr. Bahnsen's scholarship and teaching always delivered sixteen ounces to the pound. His intellectual gifts and debating skills won many devoted friends - and foes. The hard work of the theological precision is rarely accomplished without controversy. Nevertheless, Bahnsen's love the Christ and His church enabled him to press on through the inevitable battles. Bearing the standard of God's word as the only inerrant rule by which men must live, Bahnsen stood fast and firm in a day of ethical relativism and ecclesiastical compromise.

On December 11, 1995, Dr. Bahnsen, 47, was taken home to be with the Lord. This festschrift seeks to pay homage to the enormous contribution Dr. Bahnsen offered to the Christian church - a contribution that has strengthened and will continue to strengthen citizens in the kingdom of God. Each of the contribors to this volume owes a debt of love and gratitude to Dr. Bahnsen not only for the labor and instruction he provided but also for his friendship and affection.

About the Author
Dr. Bahnsen was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and full-time scholar-in-residence for e Southern California Center for Christian Studies. He received the B.A. (magna cum laude, philosophy) from Westmont College, then simultaneously earned the M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary. He earned his doctor of philosophy from the University of Southern California, specializing in the theory of knowledge. His book publications, along with thousands of lectures and sermons on audio and video cassetts, continue to be distributed and used throughout the world today

Customer Reviews

A Masterpiece of Christian Philosophy
While the thrust of Bahnsen's argument can be had from reading some of the other reviews, I think a slightly different perspective is in order. Here are some important notes:

1) Theonomy does not "stand or fall" based on Bahnsen's _50 page_ exegesis of St. Matthew 5:17 ff. While it is integral, the reviewer who stated this below, I would wager, did not read the book. Theonomy is a _framework_ that is developed exegetically and logically from the entire Bible, starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation. Bahnsens' _30 page index_ of Bible passages at the end should have been a clue. There is not one passage in the Bible regarding the law that Bahnsen does not use, I am sure. He brilliantly coheres the Torah with Sts. Paul, James, Peter, and John in a manner that is _consistent with Reformed Orthodoxy_. He is firm that there is _nothing new_ in this book. The church has historically believed the thesis contained here, and he frequently goes as far back as Tertullian and Augustine to show this. I cannot emphasize this more: theonomy is developed from the _entire Bible_.

2) This book is big. It reads big. It does not read like a concise, epigrammatic literary masterpiece (like many of Rushdoony's shorter books do). Instead it is meticulous, thorough, repetitive, painstaking--big. You feel like you're reading a masterwork when you're reading it. It feels big in your hands; it feels big in your head. Some people like this; some don't.

3) Even so, Bahnsen's language is known for its supreme clarity and cogency. His repetition is welcomed (as far as I am concerned), and his laconic summaries are each highly quotable. It is a joy to read.

4) What can bog the reader down is the _insane amount_ of Biblical references, which is obviously a good problem to have. Frequently, Bahnsen will assert something and then parenthetically include upwards of 20+ references. In the preface he asks the reader to check him on it, so do it! You won't regret it! My knowledge of how to interpret the Bible greatly augmented by following his references. His immense encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible can be overwhelming at times, but you'll come out for the better.

5) Bahnsen's knowledge of Greek is also a bit overwhelming, as seen in both the 50 page exegesis of Matthew 5 and the amazingly insightful appendix 1, an exegesis of Galatians 3. While he throws around a plethora of Greek vocabulary and grammar, he usually explains it all particularly before plugging it in the interpretation; this allows the reader to still check him on his work by referencing Greek dictionaries, &c. It must be said though that his painstaking approach to Greek grammar, while enlightening to the core, can bog the reader down at moments (I won't lie).

6) Bahnsen presents an existential theory here; don't feel that you won't be edified! This book is uplifting, encouraging, and exhortative.

Some random points you will learn about: the Holy Spirit (in the context of the Old Covenant as well); a crash course (over 100 pages) on Biblical political theory; a crash course (30 pages) on anti-theonomic philosophy of many types (for more, see his _Van Til's Apologetic_...that's 800 pages); Dispensationalism; Covenant Theology; Bible interpretation; everything you ever wanted to know about the nature and use of Law (duh); the nature and use of Grace, Faith, and Love; &c.

You owe it to your spiritual life and church vows to read this book! Kierkegaard says to "realize yourself before the face of Christ." Bahnsen shows how to do this in some of the most neglected and important ways.

It'll humble you, instruct you, and exhort you.

The Magnum Opus of Theonomic Thought
Greg Bahnsen in this work offers the world a comprehensive hermeneutical lens by which all of life is to be viewed -- viz. God's Law.
Bahnsen begins with a masterful exegesis of Matthew 5:17-20 and the following reproof of the Pharisees which lays the foundation for his thesis. Bahnsen does such a thorough job of refuting the competing views that, I must say, Mr. Cunningham (the reviewer above) has an impossible task before him (i.e., to refute Bahnsen).
Bahnsen cogently presents Theonomy as a foundation to Christian thought which one cannot do without if the Christian community is to be faithful to the Word of God.
He proposes that not only is the Christian to bow before the Law of God in all of life, but that ALL MEN in every realm are expected to conform to God's Law. This includes even the civil magistrate, which should rule society according to the eternal bar line of the Law's justice.
He furthermore recoils at any Church/State union, but shows that Church and State alike have only one standard: God's Law. Thus, there should be a sort of checks and balances between the two administrations -- the Church holding the State accountable to rule according to the Law, and the State protecting the rights of the Church, while making sure the Church does not exceed its rights in society (e.g., by administering capital punishment, etc.).
There has been much misunderstanding and controversy especially over Bahnsen's (and Theonomy's) proposal that the Law's penal sanctions should likewise be administered, which would basically amount to capital punishment for adultery, rape, homosexuality, abortion, and other crimes. Many have seen this as an element of an all too harsh OT ethic. However, if that be the case (that the OT penal sanctions are too harsh), then that would be tantamount to saying 2 very astounding things:
(1) God's morality changes
(2) God's perfect Law (Ps. 19) is not perfect, since it is not truly just.
This is unreasonable and impugns the integrity and righteous character of God. To be faithful to God's Law for society, the civil magistrate must rule according to God's Law in every jot and tittle.

I could go on and on recommending Bahnsen's book, but suffice it to say that EVERY Christian should read this book to understand how God's Law should apply to his/her life.
A MUST READ!!!

Read Bahnsen
Bahnsen, who passed away over a decade ago, is a name that draws out the best and worse in people. And, in many ways, it is because of this book. Bahnsen wrote this book in the 70's and it created a firestorm in Reformed circles. Almost immediately debates about "theonomy" started to run rampant in Reformed and Presbyterian circles. Some started denouncing Bahnsen and Bahnsen's supporters started shouting back. Fortunately, enough time has passed that the issue can be discussed reasonable, although the discussion often produces more heat than love. This is unfortunate, because it is an important issue to discuss, especially given Francis Schaeffer's influence on the American Church during the second half of the 20th century and Christians have begun to "engage culture". Yet, for many, like me, I am left asking, "O.k, we are to engage culture, but with what?" Bahnsen, I believe, provides the answer. We are to engage culture with the complete revelation, "Old" and New Testament, from God.

Bahnsen basicaly argues (from Mt 5.17+) that Christians are to observe every jot and tittle of God's word until there is a clear revelation to the contrary. This includes the fact that the civil magistrates should observe the Mosaic judicial laws for civil society. If God has spoken about these issues, should we not seek to apply His Word to these areas? If he has not spoken, then can we really say, "We are to engage culture?" If we are, then I believe God is responsible to equip us. As is, he has equipped us and Bahnsen has helped that cause.

I highly recommend reading this book because it will do several things. One, make you read the Old Testament in a much better light. Two, Bahnsen will shed some light on various passages like Jesus' teaching on divorce. Three, it will give a primer on ethics. Four, it will allow you to understand theonomy from the source. All of these things are good and profitable. Even if you end up disagreeing, at least you will be educated.