Theonomy

Theonomy (from Greek θεός theos 'god' and νόμος nomos 'law') is a hypothetical Christian form of government in which divine law governs societies. Theonomists hold that societies should observe divine law, particularly the Old Testament’s judicial laws. The movement’s chief architects were Gary North, Greg Bahnsen, and R.J. Rushdoony. Theonomy presumes biblical Israel's Old Covenant judicial laws have not been abrogated, and therefore all civil governments must enforce them (including the specific penalties). Theonomy holds that all civil governments must refrain from coercion if Scripture has not prescribed their intervention (the "regulative principle of the state"). Theonomy is distinct from the "theonomous ethics" proposed by Paul Tillich.