The Law and the Courts

The collision between faith and culture is never more apparent than when lawmakers and courts decide how the moral issues of our day will be addressed in our laws and court decisions. Should Christians engage in the realm of public policy and politics or avoid venturing in altogether?

Romans 13:6-7 says: "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

And, I would add in a constitutional democracy like ours, our full involvement:

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." ? Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Americans often look to the courts as a tool for solving the controversial issues of the day. But, is this the proper role of the courts? Were they intended to shape society? These questions are addressed here as we endeavor to establish the intent of the Framers of the Constitution and the limited role the courts were designed to play.