Divine law

Divine law is any law that supposedly comes directly from the "will of God" in contrast to man-made law. Unlike natural law, which is independent of human beings, divine laws are totally dependent on human narrators and closely related to different cultures; they may change in human perception in time through new revelation. Divine law is commonly equated with eternal law, meaning that if God is infinite, then his law must also be infinite and eternal.

Aquinas

In Thomas Aquinas's Treatise on Law, divine law comes only from revelation or scripture, hence biblical law, and is necessary for human salvation. According to Aquinas, divine law must not be confused with natural law. Divine law is mainly and mostly natural law, but it can also be positive law.

See also

42 Negative Confessions of Ma'at Antinomianism Biblical law in Christianity Book of the Law of the Lord Canon law Glossary of ancient Roman religion § ius divinum Great Commandment Halakha Law of Christ Mitzvah

New Commandment Noahide Laws Regulative principle of worship, later name for ius divinum in 17th-century English church debates Religious law Render unto Caesar Rule according to higher law Sharia Ten Commandments Treatise On the Response of the Tao

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Moral Aspect of Divine Law