Theonomy?

There are all kinds of theologically rich language that has been lost in the church. Somehow we thought it would be best if we watered down or dumbed down our rich Bible heritage. A word that is probably foreign to many believers is the word "theonomy."

According to John Frame a "Theonomy can be defined simply as adherence to God's law, which would make all Christians, especially Reformed Christians, into theonomists. Here I define the term more narrowly as a school of thought within Reformed theology which prefers literal, specific, and detailed applications of Mosaic civil laws to modern civil government. The word "prefers" gives us some leeway. At points, the theonomists, like the rest of us, apply the law only in general and non-literal ways. But they tend more than the rest of us to prefer the specific and the literal. - John Frame from Penulitimate Thoughts on Theonomy

"Reform is no answer for a culture like ours. Redemption is what is needed, and that occurs at the individual, not societal level. The church needs to get back to the real task to which we are called: evangelizing the lost. Only when multitudes of individuals in our society turn to Christ will society itself experience any significant transformation." - John MacArthur

Dr. Van Till taught that "There is no alternative but that of theonomy and autonomy" (Christian Theistic Ethics, p. 134). Every ethical decision assumes some final authority or standard, and that will either be self-law (autonomy) or God's law (theonomy). While unbelievers consider themselves the ultimate authority in determining moral right or wrong, believers acknowledge that God alone has that position and prerogative. The position which has come to be labeled "theonomy" today so this holds that the word of The Lord is sole, supreme, and unchallengeable standard for the actions and attitudes of all men in all areas of life. Our obligation to keep God's commands cannot be judged by any extrascriptural standard, such as whether its specific requirement (when properly interpreted) are congenial to past traditions or modern feelings and practices." - Greg Bahnsen from "What is Theonomy?"