Arguably, the state must invoke the natural law to promote a comprehensive display of its moral theory. Nonetheless, the response to the question posed goes beyond simply saying yes due to the complex nature pertaining to their relationship. The traditional natural law is not only based on morality but also comprises legal principles, whereby its moral requirements are people’s freedom to choose right from wrong, a power accorded to them at birth. God granted people the authority to make the right choices when presented with a conflict. In addition to terming it a moral requirement, God called it a law in Jeremiah when He declared that He would put His law within them and write it in their hearts. The verse shows that the Natural Law is moral and legal, although both are considered separate entities. The connection also arises from the usual norm, whereby people face legal repercussions for failing to act according to the Natural law and making the wrong decisions. Teachings from philosophers such as Aquinas demonstrate the existing connection between natural law and States’ moral theories concerning the Bible.

Christian View on Natural Law

Christians believe that natural law is the divine manifestation of how they should lead their daily lives because it enlightens them on what is right and wrong. They consider it a part of their Christian divinity and a crucial part of the sacred Scripture. They believe that being a Christian demands that they behave in a specific way because the right behaviors were instilled in them at birth (Smith, 2023). To understand and acquire guidance on the choices, Christians must exercise faith, hope, and charity, which allow them to make honest choices. Also, living a truthful life in Christianity is measured through their spirituality and mental and physical behavior, and a theologist is required to preach to them about the right way to lead their lives, further reinforcing positive behavior. Furthermore, per the natural law, Christians are prohibited from theft, murder, and assaulting others, offenses that governments also consider unlawful. Thus, by following natural law, Christians follow values, enabling them to co-exist peacefully with each other and the people around them, creating a society without vices and misunderstanding. Natural law requires Christians to set an excellent example to those around them, reminding them of their equality from creation and God’s work towards them through miracles, covenants, and Jesus’ crucifixion. Regardless of circumstances or the outcome, Christians must follow the natural law to attain eternal life.

The Moral Theory of the State

The state’s moral theory describes the reasons for considering specific measures as wrong and others as suitable, creating a reason for the existence of justice. Moral theories explain the required behavior and why people should practice it. Markedly, the state’s moral philosophy is a framework of knowing what is right or wrong, all relating to the laws that each state establishes. Similarly, the state’s moral theory creates a theoretical basis promoting an understanding of legal positivism, whereby leaders establish what is deemed suitable in society and pass it on to the people as the law, with repercussions for disobedience of the set moral rules (Muchenje, 2022). However, while the moral theory guides right and wrong, it comprises different ideas about the origin of the concepts of morality. For example, theorists such as Rousseau and Locke argued that humanity created morality, a belief called the subjectivism theory. The theory holds that people have authority over what is right or wrong based on their feelings and judgment.

The divine command, cultural relativism theories, and utilitarianism are more origins of right and wrong. In the divine command theory, God is the source of morality and defines what is good and what is evil. The theory connects morality with religion, defining Christian beliefs. The cultural relativism theory proposes that society defines right and wrong, categorizing them as virtues or vices and establishing their legal system based on them. For this reason, different cultures have varied definitions of right and wrong. Lastly, utilitarianism defines right and wrong based on how it affects the majority (Scarre, 2020). For example, if one culture considers an act a vice but benefits most people, it is considered reasonable in the utilitarian aspect. The utilitarian ideology resembles a democracy, whereby a law is considered acceptable if the majority supports it. Hence, while morality describes right from wrong, it has different approaches, which inform variations in religion, state laws, and culture.

The Legality of Natural Law

The traditional natural law’s moral division is a signific