Apologetica Christos: 4th Disputation

Most Excellent Theophilus, greetings. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, concerning the highest price ever paid. It now becomes us to discover why such a high price was ever demanded. Together with David we inquire, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!” (Psalm 144:3) Indeed, “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” (Job 7:17).

Three crucial points need to be made. The first, All nations have laws. It is a feature of world society that every nation that is sovereign is self-governing, and this meaning that it makes its own laws. As a matter of fact, this attribute alone is what defines a nation as sovereign. It is no small wonder therefore that any infringement upon these laws is treated as an act of usurpation against the authority and sovereignty of that government. Transgression of the laws shows contempt for the lawmaker, and signals that his authority is invalid and can be trampled at will. The second point to make is that laws by themselves can not command compliance. The authority of the lawmaker is safeguarded by the punishment attached to the law for its transgression. Such is also the case with God’s government and God's law. As it is written, “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4) And, every transgression of law is to be punished as it is written, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) This means that the law of God is added force by the punishment attached to its transgression, as it is written, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56)

The third and final point to make here, most excellent Theophilus, concerns freewill. Many a skeptic would say that if God is a God of free will, why does He punish the sinner for choosing contrary to His will and law? They would argue that death in this life and death in hell fire is evidence that God is unjust. Notice however, that if the law is a good law then the punishment is just, and it justifies the lawmaker. Think dear friend, the penalty for certain capital crimes in certain nations is death. There are legal debates for and against this, nevertheless to most of the victims, this is justice. We will speak on the shortcomings on the laws of men later on, but it is important to note that with God there are no imperfections. Hence the punishment is always just and proportionate, as that Great Apostle of our most holy faith says “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12).

On this I will further write next time. The Joy of our Lord be with you.