In these video presentations you will find David McIlroy exploring many of the big questions and issues regarding Christianity and the law with energy, humour and insight. From an introductory series on the Theology of Law, to issues concerning the role of public authority and how Christian lawyers can constructively contribute in the public square, these video presentations will help you think deeply about and embody generously what it means to serve in the areas of law and justice as a Christian.

video presentations

Theology of Law Series

1. What Does the Bible Say About Law and Justice?

This video provides the highest of high level overviews into how law and justice feature in the big picture of reality offered by the Bible. If you want to know more, look at the 10 Part Series on An Introduction to the Theology of Law below.

2. Is an Unjust Law not a Law?

This video looks at the question of how Christians, and others, should think about unjust laws. Are we free to disobey them? What should we do if we are a Christian judge, civil servant, or police officer?

3. Augustine’s contribution to Natural Law

This video introduces the ideas of one of the greatest theologians of all time. Augustine is credited with making the claim that an unjust law is not a law, and for asking the famous question: what is the difference between a kingdom and a band of robbers? This video looks at the enduring relevance of his ideas today.

4. Rawls' Two Principles of Justice

This video introduces one of the most important political philosophers of the twentieth century. John Rawls took a stand against utilitarianism with his theory of justice as fairness, reviving the idea of a social contract as a device to explain his thought. This video introduces you to his key ideas and highlights their limitations.

5. The Connection between Law and Justice in Natural Law Thinking

This video looks at the perennial tradition of natural law. Natural law claims that good laws should reflect, apply and respond to the moral order in creation. What does that claim mean for the connection between positive laws and justice? Can that connection ever be broken, and if so, how?

6. Critical Natural Law

William Blackstone, the great defender of the common law, asserted that the common law aligns with the natural law. Blackstone’s claim gave the impression that the idea of natural law creates a presumption that positive laws should be respected. Is this in fact the case? This video explores the longer history of natural law theories and shows the potential for natural law to provide a critical standard against which positive laws are to be measured.

worldview

'Who do European laws think human beings are?' - Forum for Christian Leaders

systematic and biblical theology

10 Part Series on An Introduction to the Theology of Law

If you are looking to get to grips with the Bible’s big story about law and justice, you will find it here. In ten 15 minute videos, David McIlroy looks at the way in which law and justice feature throughout the Bible from the creation described in Genesis to the final judgment promised in Revelation.

justice

'How does the Bible define justice?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

'What is God's view of justice?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

'What are the practical implications of God's view of justice?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

'How is God's view of justice superior to our culture's?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

‘The Gospel and the Rule of Law’

Although the Reformation freed the Church from obsession with religious law, it is no accident that the rule of law has developed most strongly in countries whose culture has been affected by the gospel. This workshop looks at how the gospel has contributed to the promotion of the rule of law and how the rule of law creates freedoms, the possibility for widespread human flourishing, and opportunities for the proclamation of the gospel.

‘The Role of the Public Authority’

What is God’s view of government? What is its proper role and what are its limits? And what are the implications for us as lawyers engaged in the administration of justice? In this short video, David McIlroy explores the biblical mandate given to government and how it should affect the way we view our day-to-day work as lawyers.

‘What is a good law?’ - Forum of Christian Leaders

human rights

'What "rights" should Christians fight for? - Forum of Christian Leaders

The Theology and Philosophy of Human Rights

In this talk, David McIlroy compares the secular accounts of human rights with the  Christian understanding of the interests which human rights theories seek to protect.

How has Christianity influenced Human Rights? - Forum of Christian Leaders

In this talk, David McIlroy explores the ways in which Christianity has influenced the development of human rights, and argues that the idea of human rights for all would have been inconceivable were it not for the example of Jesus Christ and for arguments developed by Christians.

‘Are Human Rights for All?, University of Helsinki, 14 March 2016

Debate between David McIlroy and Kevät Nousiainen

In this Veritas Forum video, David McIlroy discusses the idea of human rights, their extent, and their relationship to Christianity with Finnish professor Kevät Nousiainen.

‘Are Human Rights for All?, University of Jyväskylä, 17 March 2016

Debate between David McIlroy, Jukka Viljanen and Paul Abbey

In this Veritas Forum video, David McIlroy discusses the idea of human rights with Professor Jukka Viljanen and politician Paul Abbey.

law and morality

'Can we base public morality on the Bible in a society that rejects its authority?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

banking and economics

‘Response to the Money Creation Report’, 5 December 2016, St Botolph-without-Aldersgate, London

Crumbling Foundations is a research report that explores the nature and purpose of money, before comparing and contrasting our modern system with the biblical one. The way we create money now – involving a complex interplay between central and commercial banks, electronic and physical cash – is a far cry from the Bible’s use of silver and grain as currencies. Nevertheless, the Bible’s principles have ongoing application in creating monetary systems that are both just and fit for purpose. Money in the Bible was a relational tool: a kind of social glue designed to strengthen relationships and hold communities together. It is too important to be appropriated or monopolised by banks and governments, which essentially use it as a way of extracting value from citizens. There are advantages to centrally-created ‘fiat’ money, but also serious risks. Debt- and interest-based money and inflation entail conflicts of interest between issuers of money and those who use it, compromising the purpose of money from the biblical perspective.

church and state

'Should Christians seek laws that reflect God's justice?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

'How Should the Church Think About the State?' - Forum of Christian Leaders

get in touch

If you want to know anything more about the materials on this website, to book David McIlroy to speak, or you’ve got any other question, please fill out the form here and we shall get back to you speedily.