Laws/Rules as Guides to Freedom

FreedomThe power of reason and will, … to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility.

Helps a human being become a moral agent.

Our free choices help us:

◦To shape our lives;◦To form who we are; ◦To build character;◦To create our identity;◦To grow and mature.

Types of Freedom1. Inner Freedom refers to the freedom to be all

we can possibly be.

2. External Freedomrefers to freedom of action, the freedom to do what we can possibly do.

Modern Society and FreedomPromotes “doing whatever I want to do” kind of freedom;

- Absolute reliance on self – without being responsible to God, human community, or natural world.

Unbridled Freedom, lisenceIn its name, too often:

- economic, - social, - political, - cultural conditions and rights are trampled on.

Threats to Freedom: ExternalOppression

Injustice

Prejudice

Poverty

Tyranny

Threats to Freedom: InternalIgnorance

Fear

Bad Habits

Inadvertence: not paying attention

Addiction

Reason for Rules and LawsDo they exist to:

Constrain us;Make people uncomfortable;

Prevent us from having a good time?

Rules and LawsOr do they:

- Guide human freedom?- Serve as rules of the game?- Protect from license?- Warn us of pitfalls, or harmful, dehumanizing actions?

Natural Law“Natural Law argument” – despite outward

differences in terms of size, shape, color, etc. all humans share a common human nature.

Natural law ethicists argue that it is in our very nature to want to:

1) Develop as individuals and communities;2) Preserve life;3) Establish a just society;

Natural Law- Teaches what to do and what to avoid

10 commandments: do good and avoid evilRespect and care for precious life God gave

usLove our neighborDo not murder another personDo not bear false witness Do not commit adulteryDo not steal

LegalismExcessive reliance on the law;

Everything covered by rules and regulations;

Going by the book no matter what circumstance.

AnarchyNormal resistance to the law;

Why can’t I just do whatever I want with my time, money, body?

All law: arbitrary;

Good or Bad Laws or RulesNo driver may use handheld self

phone;

Non-violent action in word and deed is the only acceptable response to conflict;

All passengers must be willing to submit to a personal search before boarding an airplane;

No one may be permitted to smoke in a public building;

Any vendor selling pornography to a minor is subject to a year in prison;

Couples must be sterilized if they have more than one child (Chinese law)

Christ and LawChrist reject both: legalism and

anarchy

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (Luke 4:18)

Letter and Spirit of the lawThe woman caught in the act of adultery;

She was 100% guilty and her accusers knew that;

The last thing she expected from that group of men was mercy.

But that is what she got from the One who was asked to judge her.

Christ and LawYou have heard it said thou shallt not

murder… but I say to you whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;

You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to

you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart’

Letter of the LawAny formal code, rule, regulation,

or principle that must be followed according to governmental or institutional mandates or policies.

It is the law as it is written;Mercy is not part of it;Why?: to serve, maintain, and

protect the public welfare in various ways.

Spirit of the LawShowing God’s mercy and

compassion, while never letting go of the plum lines of truth and justice;

Sources:Spirit or Letter of the Law. A sermon

preached by Canon Brian Mountford: Caius College, Cambridge 22.10.06

The Letter Versus The Spirit of The Law by Matthew T. Gordon