Answers to Objections #3

Post date: Dec 07, 2016 6:38:0 PM

Apr 24, 2011 by Buddy Hanson

Answers to Common Objections are a regular column featured each Monday on Explicitly Christian Politics. These answers were written by Buddy Hanson and published in the appendix of his book, The Christian Civil Ruler’s Handbook. Buddy has written a number of books on applying God’s Word to culture, civil-government and politics and we are grateful for the answers he gives to common objections we hear all the time. Check out his website here.

Objection #3. “You can’t use biblical reasons for public policies without turning off the electorate.”

To agree with this objection is to admit that God’s Word is not truth, for why else would we want to rely upon our words and ideas instead of His?

(a) In addition, if God’s Word were not true, it would not be able to accomplish its purpose, and we would be left on our own to make life’s decisions.

(b) This objection implies that creatures, not the Creator, are in control of His creation.

(c) Such a gloomy portrait of God makes Him look small and ineffectual. On the positive side, I suppose those who believe this are obligated to pat God on the back for creating such intelligent creatures that they can bail Him out by properly operating His creation! Such an attitude is nonsense, of course.

Let’s see what Scripture has to say about each of these points.

a. God’s Word is truth.

For the word of the Lord is right… (Psalm 33:4).

Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:104-105).

God’s Word accomplishes its purpose.

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

b. Non-Christians suppress truth in unrighteousness.

I have written for him the great things of My law; but they were considered a strange thing (Hosea 8:12).

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things (Romans 1:18-23). (Compare 1 Corinthians 1:18.)

c. God is in sovereign control of His creation.

Oh, let the peoples be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth (Psalm 67:4). (Compare John 19:11.)

For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us (Isaiah 33:22). (Compare Isaiah 40:22-23.)

Therefore we don’t need to be ashamed of our faith. We don’t need to disguise our Christianity with euphemisms.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). (Compare Romans 15:4.)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Corinthians 10:11).

We are to live by God’s Word, making our decisions conform to its principles.

Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). (Compare 1 Timothy 6:3-5.)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8). (Compare James 1:22-25.)