Lawful Elements of a Contract

The Bible is filled with narratives in which people engage in acts of the covenant. The discourse surrounding these oaths and pledges construct an applicable Christian analysis of what qualifies a valid contract. Contracts serve as modern covenants acting as literal testaments to the integrity held between individuals who are obligated to fulfill an agreement. These documents provide structure towards formalizing promises while attributing worth. Contracts also limit the propensity to cheat providing clear guidelines for human relations. The practices set in place during biblical times suggest that humanity has always valued accountability in material matters. Contracts subscribe to the fundamental tenants of the Christian worldview because the basic elements of a contract can be observed in biblical scriptures.

An offer is the first required element of a formal contract described as a promise made between two different parties who are in agreement over an exchange of service. When an offer is made there is an obligation to carry out the orders in the offer, “If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing...” (Exodus 21:2-21:3 The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible). Human endeavors for the exchange of service have always involved a promise made between two or more parties. When two people decide to begin a partnership, one individual may offer their service as a graphic artist to create a storefront sign for a store owner. Offers and the terms of the obligation constitute a viable contract only if there is an agreement.

Agreements are considered valid when both parties decide to accept the offer. Standards associated with making legal agreements, include a pledge of commitment,“...I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is {only} a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it” (Galatians 3:15). Agreements become binding only if there are no conditions to the original offer. A Christian perspective is thus strongly supported by the acts of covenant carried out in the Bible. The store owner who contracts the graphic artist implicitly formalizes the agreement by signing a written statement without disagreeing with the original offer. Chris Fields (2014) points out that a withdrawal can occur if the offer is not claimed by one of the party members (offer and acceptance section, para. 3). When there is no withdrawal of the agreement, then the next step is to establish a legally bound intent.

When agreements are made there are certain terms that must occur that establish a binding contract. A contract from which two parties can concur on the circumstances and consideration constitutes a legally valid form of acceptance. The last two elements which involve the intention to create a legal contract and consideration of the value associated with the agreement are exemplified in this scripture, “And I subscribed the deed and sealed it...and weighed him the money in the balances” (Jeremiah 32:10). The narrative of this verse addresses the qualities of a contract that involve providing material compensation to legally bind a contract. When the two parties enact their agreement there are obvious characteristics that define their intentions to act on a promise based on compensation (Fields, 2014, Intention to create legal relations section, para.1). The store owner states his intention to offer the graphic artist free breakfast for his work in addition to the monetary consideration of 1,000 dollars for the storefront sign. Both parties within a contract are conscious of the parameters of what is agreed upon through consensual acts and intentions.

The Bible is an original proponent of structured agreements that solidify the purpose of human relations. Contracts have existed throughout history taking various forms as discussed in Christian scriptures such as covenants and deeds. When an offer is made, there must be no further terms associated with the core definition of the agreement. The process of acceptance occurs to establish the obligation to uphold the offer. The parties participate in the contract by abiding by certain procedures that are legally recognized as intentions and considerations. The Bible narrates several instances in which covenants include pledges fortified by an exchange of services for material value.

Reference

Field, C. (2014). The law of contract. In The law handbook (12.1). Retrieved from http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook/ch12s01s02.php