The First Principle of Liberty: Natural Law (Part 2)

Yesterday we began a discussion of the first Principle of Liberty W. Cleon Skousen covers in his book The 5000 Year Leap. We began our understanding by touching on the first two "major precepts" Cicero investigates, precepts which colored the Founding Fathers' view of the world, especially as it applied to their understanding of crafting the most important document in the history of our nation. They are (1) that Natural Law is eternal and universal, and (2) that we have been given the capacity to reason. Today we will continue with the remaining five precepts.

The third concept Cicero advocates is that we must love and obey God. Skousen points to Cicero’s argument when he writes the following: “when people unite together in a covenant or compact under [Natural Law], they become a true ‘commonwealth,’ and since they intend to administer their affairs under God’s law, they belong to His commonwealth.” Unfortunately, many in civil government today (and even in family and church government) do not acquiesce to God’s law. . . .

Fourth, Cicero claimed that Justice in earthly affairs means the following: we have a “natural inclination to love our fellow-men, and this is the foundation of justice.” Therefore, if you want a just system of government, you must love others. Cicero and the Founding Fathers (and many of us today) would proclaim from the rooftops the fact that few in government have our own true and best interests at heart.

Fifth, Cicero believed we “Can Be Taught God’s Law or Virtue.” He understood the “potential improvement of human beings by teaching them the elements of virtue through education.” Cicero wrote that if one found the right guide, he could “attain to virtue.”

Sixth, Cicero believed (and many people rightly agree) that any legislation which violates God’s law is a “Scourge to Humanity.” Cicero wrote: “the most foolish notion of all is the belief that everything is just which is found in the customs or laws of nations.” He continues by noting that many laws put into place in nations are “pestilential statutes.” Cicero says we can’t claim something is a law (that is, in tune with God’s law) if it’s a rule damaging to a nation’s people.

Seventh, Cicero argued that “All Law Should Be Measured Against God’s Law.” If we want to judge between good and evil laws, we must lay them up against God’s law and see which one aligns itself with God’s ultimate authority. Skousen points out that Cicero felt “justice can never be expected from laws arbitrarily passed in violation of standards set up under the laws of Nature or the laws of the Creator. Is it any wonder the tax code is so vile?

These complete the "major precepts" which colored the views of our Founding Fathers as they crafted the Constitution. Tomorrow we will wrap up the section on Natural Law, which is the first Principle of Liberty.