divine liability
Definition
Divine liability is the doctrine that God Himself is bound by His own liability laws — specifically the pit and fire analogies (Ex. 21:33–34 and Ex. 22:6) — because He is the Creator and Owner of all things. Since God created tree, serpent, and human and is responsible for their existence, God is legally liable for the consequences of their acts. This liability obligated God by His own law to send Christ to bear the full penalty.
Core Thesis
Jones argues that divine sovereignty does NOT mean “no laws” but rather “bound by one’s own justice”:
God is ultimately liable for all the evil that has occurred in the world. One cannot blame the devil, because the devil created nothing and owns nothing.
The legal structure:
- God created everything → God owns everything (Gen. 1:1, 2:7)
- God owns → God is liable (Ex. 21:33–34: owner pays for damage)
- God is liable for the Fall → God must bear the penalty
- God bears the penalty through Christ (1John 2:2, Gal. 3:13)
Biblical Laws
Pit Liability (Ex. 21:33–34)
If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restitution. 1
Application: John 3:16 can be understood from this principle. God left the knowledge of good and evil (the “pit”) uncovered; mankind fell into it; God pays (sends Christ).
Fire Liability (Ex. 22:6)
If fire breaks out and catches thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution. 2
Application: The lake of fire (Rev. 20) is the manifestation of God’s law as “fire” (Deut. 33:2, Dan. 7:9). The law itself is “he who kindles the fire makes restitution.” God owns the dust from which the serpent was made; thus liability for its deceitful temptations.
Legal Implications
- Sovereignty ≠ arbitrariness: God is Sovereign THROUGH law, not above it. God’s law binds God Himself.
- Christ as Atonement: Christ is God’s payment to God; God’s liability is paid in full.
- Universal Reconciliation: Because God is responsible for ALL creation, God MUST redeem ALL humanity. Otherwise God claims imperfection of His own law.
Either men will consent to be redeemed in this age, or they will do so after the final judgment at the Great White Throne. One may do this the easy way or the hard way. But either way, God is God, and His will shall ultimately prevail.
Related Terms
- divine-ownership — prerequisite for liability
- goel — how God redeems His liability
- Jubilee — mechanism by which the law prevents liability from becoming infinite (debt limits)
- eonian — why the “punishment” cannot be eternal (God’s law forbids it)
Core quotation:
God is ultimately liable for all the evil that has occurred in the world.