A keen-eyed observer might not be surprised to learn that the legal system of the Commonwealth Caribbean, certainly that of our island home, was greatly influenced and is heavily underpinned by Canonical law. That is, the set of laws espoused in the Biblical Canons or Law Books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) have served as a recognised source of law.
Several basic and universal laws in modern jurisprudence, including those against murder, theft, and false witness, among numerous others, were elucidated from these ecclesiastical laws of Moses and other rules of the Holy Bible. Being regarded as a part of English law at the time through culture and governmental edict, these were retained as part of English Common law as the British legal system became formalised. This is the legal system that has come to birth and inform that of many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica.
Further to this, long-honoured and maintained principles, like the need for corroborating witnesses (by the mouth of two witnesses, a thing shall be agreed—Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16); all men are equal before the law (Galatians 3:28; Proverbs 22:2); and Godly institution of leadership (2 Samuel 5:3), can also be seen to be founded in the Word of God.
That the Word is woven into the very fundamental fabric of our legal system is no coincidence. God, the great Judge (Psalm 33:22, Psalm 75:7), has set it so that the kingdoms of the world will all eventually know and answer to Him as the final authority and ruler of all—even our laws (would) testify of this.
What a God!
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Renée McIndoe is an attorney-at-law and past member of the Norman Manley Law School Christian Fellowship (NMLSCF). Contact [email protected]
