The four tiers of law (OCR A-Level Religious Studies): Revision Notes
The four tiers of law
📎The ultimate foundation of moral goodness and law is rooted in God's all-loving nature, which orchestrated the universe according to a divine blueprint known as the eternal law. This eternal law, however, remains beyond human comprehension.
Instead, we have access to subordinate laws that stem from it:
Eternal Law: God's overarching plan is inherent in the essence of all existence, reflecting His omnibenevolent nature. Divine Law: God's guidance is revealed to humanity through the Bible. Natural Law: The moral principles embedded in human nature, which can be discerned through reason. Human Law: Legislation created by humans, which should align with both natural and divine law, drawing their legitimacy from God's ultimate authority.
As Aquinas stated, "Participation of the eternal law in the rational creature is called the natural law."