"The Bible has strongly influenced the foundation and framework of the development of the Western legal system over the last two thousand years. Several key ideas that are critical to the legal frameworks of liberal democracies are deeply imbedded in Biblical history and teachings. In some instances, it is possible to show either the Biblical origins or strong Biblical influences on secular legal concepts. This paper looks at one such area of influence, that of an understanding of natural law theory. It examines the Biblical view of how natural law should operate to regulate, order, and limit civil authority in society. It also examines the role that natural law plays in revealing truths about God to the world, and the role it can serve as a basis for Christian apologetics."

This paper was presented at the 31st Institute of Christian Teaching.