In our Small Group study on “The Birth of Freedom”, the question is asked: How has the Bible contributed to Human Rights? The speaker gives four answers …
1. (A) In Creation – God created male and female in His image – Genesis 1:27, Genesis 5:2, Matthew 19:4-5). The natural implications are human dignity, human rights and freedom under our Creator. (B) In the Creation Mandate to be fruitful and multiple in the bond of marriage, participating in creation with God via procreation.
2. In the Cultural Mandate – God created us to subdue the earth and have dominion over it (Genesis 1:28), including participating in the cultivation of the Garden. This is the foundation for property, labor, dominion, stewardship, trust issues and human rights under our Creator.
3. In how God encounters sinners with Divine “due process” (Genesis 3:13). God allows a hearing, a chance to explain, and a chance for pardon. The wages of sin is death (Genesis 2:17, Romans 6:23), yet God allows sinners to continue with blessings and curses in adjudication. Condemnation of sin is the verdict (John 3:18, Ephesians 2:1). Forgiveness and born-again restoration is the goal (John 3:17).
4. In a Covenant relationship – Jeremiah 7:23, Ezekiel 11:20, Hebrews 8:10). God has given a basic list of items in Statutes, Commandments and the Moral Law that must be maintained in society by His created beings. These are expectations that if breached will result in a just Devine retribution (Nahum 1:3). A human “Social Contract” is the way that the people and their Rulers define together what are the fundamental values of society and what they ultimately consider are the fundamental duties and rights that the people can enjoy, guaranteed ultimately by God when aligned with His perfect Word, Will and Way found in the Bible.
The Bible is God’s Instruction Manual for life on earth and its aligned application produces a biblical worldview that positively affects every aspect of our living the abundant life that the Lord designed for us all and we are truly blessed.
In Christ, Brian
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