C.S. Lewis said that God's natural law is embedded in creation and cannot be avoided. Michael Farris and PHC professor Robert Stacey discuss the role of God's law in relation to our common law, today on Home School Heartbeat.
Mike Farris:
In the chamber of the United States House of Representatives, there are 22 marble profiles all looking at Moses—Moses in turn looks down at the Speaker of the House. One of those 22 is Sir William Blackstone. Bob, how does this artistic representation illustrate Blackstone's understanding of the role of God's law in relationship to the common law?
Dr. Robert Stacey:
Well, for William Blackstone—as for many great Christian thinkers before him—God's law was the centerpiece of creation, and it was the measure of all righteous and good conduct. The marble profiles in the House chamber capture Blackstone's view that legitimate law must be derived from God's law.
Blackstone writes in his book, The Commentaries on the Laws of England, "[The law of God] is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times: no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them as are valid derive all their force, and all their authority...from this original." Obviously we've departed from much of God's law today in America, but like Blackstone and the generation of the American founders he helped to inspire, we need to battle back against the forces that would wrench our law from its biblical foundations.
Mike:
Bob, you've just articulated the battle philosophy for the next generation. Thanks so much. I'm Mike Farris.
Bob Stacey is the author of Sir William Blackstone and the Common Law. For ordering information, call us toll-free at 866-338-8614. That's 866-338-8614. Or visit us online at homeschoolheartbeat.com. Again, that's homeschoolheartbeat.com.
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Nearly all Americans are familiar with the contributions of Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, and many other patriots of the eighteenth century. Few Americans, however, are familiar with the one person who had the greatest influence on the thinking of our founding fathers: Sir William Blackstone.
An introduction for many to this legal scholar, law professor, attorney, member of Parliament, and judge who shaped the thindking of our founding fathers and, as a result, shaped the content of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Softcover, 134 pages.
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