Divine law is any body oflaw that is perceived as deriving from atranscendent source, such as thewill of God orgods – in contrast toman-made law or tosecular law. According toAngelos Chaniotis andRudolph F. Peters, divine laws are typically perceived as superior to man-made laws,[1][2] sometimes due to an assumption that their source has resources beyond human knowledge and human reason.[3] Believers in divine laws might accord them greaterauthority than other laws,[4][5][2] for example by assuming that divine law cannot be changed by human authorities.[2]
According to Chaniotis, divine laws are noted for their apparent inflexibility.[6] The introduction of interpretation into divine law is a controversial issue, since believers place high significance on adhering to the law precisely.[7] Opponents to the application of divine law typically deny that it is purely divine and point out human influences in the law. These opponents characterize such laws as belonging to a particular culturaltradition. Conversely, adherents of divine law are sometimes reluctant to adapt inflexible divine laws tocultural contexts.[8]
Medieval Christianity assumed the existence of three kinds of laws: divine law,natural law, and man-made law.[4]Theologians have substantially debated the scope of natural law, with theEnlightenment encouraging greater use ofreason and expanding the scope of natural law and marginalizing divine law in a process ofsecularization.[9]Since the authority of divine law is rooted in its source, the origins and transmission-history of divine law are important.[10][a]
Conflicts frequently arise betweensecular understandings ofjustice ormorality and divine law.[11][12]
Religious law, such ascanon law, includes both divine law and additional interpretations, logical extensions, and traditions.[5]
