HIEU201 week 4

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Ancient Laws and Justice Robert White Liberty University HIU201 Professor Culpepper 2-12-2024

2 - Ancient Laws and Justice Introduction The legal codes of ancient civilizations such as the Code of Hammurabi and the Twelve Tables of Rome have much to disclose about the societies that created them. They controlled essential facets of society and economy, including such issues as slavery, borrowing money, property, commerce, and the conduct of legal proceedings. In some cases, these pre-Christian codes obedient to biblical models of justice, in other cases they were antithetical to scriptural teachings about the humane treatment of human beings. By comparing these codes with biblical standards, modern readers are able to assess their historical effects and ethical groundings. Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman legal codes and pedagogical models aimed at maintaining social order and promoting virtue but failed to maintain the ethical bar of justice, human rights, and moral conduct established in biblical wisdom and teachings. Trial and Justice The Code of Hammurabi and the Roman Twelve Tables both describe sets of rules and procedures for conducting trials and distributing justice in the empires of old Mesopotamia and Rome. Accusations were required to present evidence, and liars would face the penalties they sought to afflict according to the first three laws of Hammurabi’s code (King, 2008). This aligns with biblical principles such as “Do not spread false reports” (Exodus 23:1) and “The judges must make a thorough investigation” (Deuteronomy 19:18). However, Hammurabi's oft-cited “eye for an eye” ethic of strict retributive justice starkly contrasts with Christ's teaching to “not resist an evil person” but rather “turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39). While seeking to limit vengeance, this code still allowed violence and inequity in punitive damages.

3 The Twelve Tables outlined prosecution, witness testimony, capital punishment, and debt slavery while failing to uphold ethical treatment of the vulnerable. Scripture exhorts protection of the powerless and “not pervert justice” (Exodus 23:6) in an unbiased, ethical manner unlike what these codes delivered. Debt and Slavery These ancient codes instituted slavery to settle unpaid debts. Hammurabi's laws permitted debt slavery for up to three years' duration (117). Though the Bible regulates servitude, Old Testament law placed limits on timeframe and treatment, mandating release in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Scripture further elevates human freedom and dignity, as Paul reminds masters that they and their slaves have a common heavenly Father who shows no partiality (Ephesians 6:5-9). Though it sought to prevent abuse, Hammurabi's code fell well short of this ethical standard by allowing debt slavery with no mandated end date. The Twelve Tables outline harshtreatment resembling indentured servitude, allowing debtors' goods to be seized and their bodies forcibly bound and subjected to forced labor. Contrast this with Christ, who liberates humanity from spiritual indebtedness and brokenness (Luke 4:18-19). While seeking to provide social order, these legal codes violated biblical concepts of impartial justice, human dignity, fairness, and compassion. Education and Virtue Christian educators would argue that education has purposes of higher value beyond the mere vocational and intellectual knowledge. Ancient scriptures from Christianity present ideas of wisdom and virtue as logical goals of being educated. Christians would assert that education should reveal God’s truth and validity while at the same time transforming a person into a abundant man or woman who is glorifying to God, and useful to others. Investigating ancient

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4 roman and Greek models of education in comparison to Christian principles is educational goals; thereby some points relate as much as other points in these learning goals. The main goal of Athenian education was to create effective speakers and good citizens by teaching them to speak, write, and argue well, and by exposing them to the study of music, poetry, drama, and philosophy. They studied ethics and practiced the art of persuasion in public speaking and writing ( Demyanova et al., 2020 ). This mirrors biblical wisdom literature's imperative to “get wisdom” and “whatever else you get, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5,7) while paralleling the need for truth and discernment. Yet, classical thought did not have its footing in ultimate spiritual reality where everything revolves around the knowing and magnifying of God. Only Scripture defines education as enlightenment, consecration, and equipping for eternity. Spartan education narrowly aimed at building military strength, courage, and absolute loyalty to the state. Brutal training molded warriors rather than whole persons ( Demyanova et al., 2020 ). While this method produced exceptional fighters, it failed to instill truth, justice, love, mercy and other scriptural virtues. Rome emphasized moral development, law, agriculture, and warfare to create virtuous leaders and citizens (Warmington; Garth & Dryden). This mirrors the biblical concept of wisdom requiring moral excellence. However, Roman virtue focused on serving the Republic rather than honoring God or loving one's neighbor. Further, brutality and oppression pervaded Roman conquest and rule, violating scriptural ethics. Conclusion Comparing ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman codes alongside Old and New Testament principles allows thoughtful assessment of their respective aims and social impacts. Most of these pre-Christian laws sought to provide order and stability while revealing

5 progressive moral reasoning in some areas. However, they lacked the revelation of God's perfect spiritual ethic centered on moral virtue, justice, compassion, and the intrinsic worth of all human beings. Biblical education integrates intellectual, moral and spiritual development for godly service and eternal perspective. Scripture alone presents divine instructions forlaw and education that exceed any human attempts at wisdom or virtue. These ancient codes evince civilizational progress yet ultimately fall short of biblical ideals for ethical societies. Their inequities and oppressive elements provide sobering historical lessons contrasting the liberating truth of biblical revelation.

6 References Bible gateway passage: Matthew 5 - English Standard Version . Bible Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=ESV Demyanova, L., Usova, I., Ishchenko, E., Djyakonova, N., & Demyanov, S. (2020). Role of physical education in antique educational system. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 210, p. 18018). EDP Sciences. Garth, S., & Dryden, J. (n.d.). The Internet Classics Archive: Metamorphoses by ovid . The Internet Classics Archive | Metamorphoses by Ovid. https://classics.mit.edu/Ovid/metam.1.first.html King, L. W. (Trans.). (2008). The Avalon Project : Code of Hammurabi. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/ancient/hamframe.asp Warmington, E. H. (n.d.). The law of the twelve tables. https://thelatinlibrary.com/law/12tables.html

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HIEU201 week 4

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