Alastair's Adversaria What is Good Law
Mar 16, 2026
A reflective tour of how law relates to human weakness, truth, and moral formation. Short reflections compare Genesis, Mosaic rules, and case law to show law as both accommodation and call. Discussions range from slavery and Sabbath practice to practical limits on enforcement and how laws can shepherd people toward justice.
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Good Law Adapts To People Not Ideals
- Good law is tailored to those it governs rather than an abstract ideal.
- Alastair Roberts argues Jesus contrasted creational marriage intent with accommodated Mosaic case law to show law adapts to hardness of heart.
Enforceability Shapes Moral Legislation
- Practical enforceability and institutional capacity constrain what counts as good law.
- Roberts notes unenforceable or inconsistently enforced laws weaken legal authority and inject partiality into justice.
Law Leads Gradually Toward Virtue
- Law should address people where they are and lead them gradually toward virtue.
- Roberts cites Aquinas: human law's purpose is gradual formation, likening parenting methods for toddlers vs teenagers.
