To What Extent Is the Moral Law Evidence for God?

There are, and probably always have been, few consistent moral relativists. How do atheists account for objective morality? What would morality look like if people followed these moral rules? This talk discusses how to present arguments for moral realism (i.e., the idea that some moral rules are objective) and how to respond to the arguments of those thinkers who affirm moral realism but deny that our consciences and moral beliefs are evidence for a supreme law-maker. It also explores how we can develop arguments to show that the best explanation for objective morality is the existence of God, who wants to see human beings and the rest of creation flourish.

David McIlroy is a practising barrister based in London in the UK. He serves on the editorial board of Law & Justice, teaches the Mission of Justice and the Theology of Law course at Spurgeon’s College, and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England. He is convinced that justice matters enormously to God, and he wants Christians to work hard to see justice done more and more in situations around the world. Through his books (A Biblical View of Law and Justice, A Trinitarian Theology of Law, The End of Law) and many articles, David seeks to deepen people’s reflections on justice and to inspire others to take up the challenge of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8).