Col. John Eidsmoe: 'You can't legislate morality'

In a recent lecture, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey of Ligonier Ministries regretfully acknowledged the waning influence of Christian morality in America. But he also cautioned , “Let’s not depend on having law enforce what we think is right.”

On the surface, that sounds like the old adage “you can’t legislate morality.” Secularists have often used that slogan to silence the Christian voice in the public arena, and Christians have succumbed to the taunt like frightened sheep.

But what is law but morality legislated? You can’t legislate anything except morality – except perhaps immorality.

But whose morality are we going to legislate? Law is based on morality, and morality is based on religious belief. For example, Exodus 20:13 says, “Thou shalt not kill.” Every society has laws against murder.