The Development of the Concept of Natural Law in Christian Doctrine

Relevance. The natural-legal doctrine formed the basis of the principles of modern law, namely, it became the foundation for the formation of the concept of human rights. In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. Currently, human rights are unconditionally enshrined in the Constitutions of States and run like a red thread through the system of legislation. The Constitution of the Russian Federation also enshrines human rights and freedoms and declares itself as a constitutional state. However, achieving the constitutional state is possible if the norms of the law do not contradict natural rights. The European Court of Human Rights examines legal situations related to violations of human rights in various states. In the theory of law, the issue of legal universals is actively discussed, that is, about norms that exist objectively and outside of time. Therefore, the discourse on Natural law is always relevant in the philosophical and legal fields.
The purpose is to identify the essence of the doctrine of Natural Law in the Christian state and legal doctrine and to determine the stages of development of the Natural Law in Christian doctrine.
Objectives of the research are identification of the foundations of the Natural Law and universalism in the Old Testament teaching; analysis of the development of the Natural Law in the New Testament teaching; consideration of the concept of Natural Law in the works of theologians; modern reading of the concept of Natural Law in modern Christian doctrine.
Methodology. In the study the following methods were used: deduction and induction, hermeneutics, systemic, comparative legal, specifically historical.
Results. The study are of a theoretical nature and can be used in the study of the theory of state and law, the history of political and legal doctrines, philosophy of law.
Conclusions. The theory of Natural Law was consolidated in the Christian legal doctrine, starting with the Old Testament teaching. The provisions on Natural Law received their development in the New Testament teaching and in the writings of Christian thinkers. The author concluded that the Natural Moral Law, possessing the characteristics of truth, immutability and universality, creates the moral foundations necessary for building a society.

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