Providence, conscience of liberty and benevolence – the implications of Luther’s and Calvin’s views on natural law for fundamental rights

• Published in: In die skriflig : tydskrif van die Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 415 - 442
• Main Author: Andries Raath
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 27-07-2007
• Subjects: Human Rights; Justice; Luther Martin; Natural Law
• ISSN: 1018-6441; 2305-0853
• DOI: 10.4102/ids.v41i3.313

Prof. Johan van der Vyver recently identified a need for a Scriptural foundation of human rights. In this article it is argued that together with their evangelical perspectives, Luther’s and Calvin’s Ciceronian re-interpretation of Thomism produced very important perspectives for establishing the moral context of a Scriptural basis for fundamental rights and duties. The impli- cations of the views of both Luther and Calvin on fundamental duties and justice presuppose a moral context from which is- sues related to human rights can be approached. In that regard the views of Luther and Calvin still have much to contribute towards developing an evangelical approach to human rights.