Four ways our legal system is rooted in Christianity

I’m not a lawyer but as a Christian I am fascinated by the relationship between the principles enshrined in our legal system and ancient principles of justice and equality that can be traced back to Scripture.

There are four key principles that derive from our Judaeo-Christian tradition, namely: separation of powers, objective justice, eye-witness corroboration, and due process.

1. Separation of powers

This ensures that those holding decision-making authority (executive) cannot devise self-serving rules (legislative) or apply existing rules to their own advantage (judiciary).

In Scripture, this principle can be traced back to Deuteronomy 17 in which the judge’s function (judiciary) was distinguished from other positions of authority: 'If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge — whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults — take them to the place the Lord your God will choose. Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.' (Deut. 17:8,9)

Notably, there was also a heavenly 'court of appeal' which those aggrieved could prayerfully petition for divine intervention when leaders acted with impunity. Despite God’s long-suffering, He chastised despotic rulers with repeated prophetic rebuke which, if ignored, would incur inexorable retribution. I wonder how many churches might have averted recent scandals if they had established separation of powers to prevent wayward ministers from unduly hindering the disciplinary process.