Beacon Media Supporting Christian schooling worldwide What is Biblical Christian Worldview?
Law, Government & Economics MS 407 Biblical Worldview.
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Transcript of Law, Government & Economics MS 407 Biblical Worldview.
Rule of Law the ruler or measure by which judgments are
made Legal Positivism – the will of the sovereign
Evolutionary Rule Scientific Rule Humanist (Pragmatic or Utilitarian Rule)
Natural Law Will of the Sovereign Natural Rights
1.Life
2.Individual Liberty
3.Family Sovereignty
4.Private Property
5.Do No Harm
Functions of Government - Bible1. Justice/Judgment
Gen 9:5-6; Ex 18:13-16; Deut 17:8-13; Rm 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14
Government
Definition (Merriam-Webster)
the act or process of providing authoritative direction or control; rule
God’s Governments1. Self (Genesis 1)
2. Family (Genesis 2)
3. Church (Genesis 3)
4. The State/Traditional Government (Genesis 9)
Purpose of Civil Government Colossians 1:15; John 1:1 By God and For God All Government & Governors must
acknowledge God(Isa 42:8; Deut 17:14-20,*18; Dan 4,*v30-32; Acts 12:22-23)
Functions of Government - Bible1. Justice/Judgment
Gen 9:5-6; Ex 18:13-16; Deut 17:8-13; Rm 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14
Justice/Judgment Rule of Law
the ruler or measure by which judgments are made
Legal Positivism – the will of the sovereign Evolutionary Rule Scientific Rule Humanist (Pragmatic or Utilitarian Rule)
Penal Standards Judgment must be just/righteous
1. FairA. Based on 2+ Witnesses
B. Innocent until Prove Guilty
C. Right to Defense
2. Unpartial
3. No Bribery
4. Swift (Eccl 8:11)
Penal Sentences Deterrence Punitive until Restoration Types
1. Restitution
2. Atonement (Satisfaction)
Functions of Government - Bible1. Justice/Judgment
Gen 9:5-6; Ex 18:13-16; Deut 17:8-13; Rm 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14
2. ResearchPro 25:2
Research Proverbs 25:2 Origins in God’s Desire to be Known Useful to Society
1. Subduing the Earth
2. “State of the Union”
Functions of Government - Bible1. Justice/Judgment
Gen 9:5-6; Ex 18:13-16; Deut 17:8-13; Rm 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14
2. ResearchPro 25:2
3. Collective ActionGen 11:1-9,*4; 1 Sam 8:1-22,*20
Public v. Private Goods Characteristics of Public Goods
One individual’s consumption does not interfere with another’s
No one can be excluded from its use Cannot be provided individually Examples: defense/public safety, weather
service
National Defense Not Compulsory Service Just War Doctrine Stance towards Israel
Psalms 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
Church Benevolence Commanded – Deut 14:28-29; James 1:27;
Malachi 3:10 Expected – Matt 25:36 Practiced – Acts 4:32-*35; 6:1-2
Main Concerns Provision – Adequate provision for the
life, health, happiness and wealth of individuals
Scarcity – Limited resources in any given geopolitical society
Three Questions What to produce? How to produce? For whom to produce?
• Most important:not WHAT are the answers rather WHO gives the answers.
Three Main Systems Traditional Command Market
Note: Nearly all economic systems are MIXED to some extent.
Who’s Responsible - Systems
Traditional Tradition, patterns
Command Central Planning Authority(ies)
Market Consumer or Entrepreneur
Strength & WeaknessesTraditional Strengths
Stable Predictable Provides roles
and structure to society
Weaknesses Subsistence,
No room for growth
Discourages new tactics
Command Strengths
Equitable Predictable Can quickly
change direction Weaknesses
Lack of motivation for innovations
Inefficient Error
Market Strengths
Self-Enforcing Efficient Dynamic Motivates
innovation Weaknesses
Inequitable Ignorant of the
defenseless
¿Who’s Responsible? Genesis 3:17-19 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Proverb:19:15; 13:4;
19:24; 12:27; 22:13 Proverb:24:30-34
Isaiah 49:15; Psalms 27:10
1 Timothy 5:4-8, 16 Luke 10:29-37, *37
Discussion Shouldn’t Civil Government be primarily
responsible for society’s welfare?
1. The “Sword” - Romans 13:4
2. Imperfect “Interest”
“Private Property” God-given (natural) authority to direct and
dispose of a resource. Presupposed in 8th & 10th Commandment Result of Dominion of Man over Creation Natural/Logical Consequence of Labor
Standards for Benevolence Tithe Principle: 10% Zacchaeus Principle: 50% (half) Widow’s Principle: 100% (all)
Discussion: Consumption“Materialism is Sinful” True? False?
How so? Material Wealth is a Gift from God Provides an “Incentive” for Labor Should Not Take Focus Off God & His Will Should Not Deteriorate into Gluttony
Discussion: Poverty & Inequality: What do we do
about it? “We’re Going to Eradicate Poverty” Robin Hood? Take from the Rich give to the Poor? Matt 14:16* (Mark 6:37; Luke 9:13) Will it be enough? Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
Importance of Investment Engine that powers the economy
Not Stocks & Bonds; Rather Entrepreneurship
Profit = Accountability Activates the “Multiplier”
Acts unlike consumption spending Depends on consumer saving
Utility of a Christian’s Business1. Funding the Gospel
2. Meeting Needs
3. Discipleship
4. Making a Profit
The U.S. Economy GDP = C + I + G + E (T)
GDP = Gross Domestic Product C = Consumption (Consumers/Workers) I = Investment (Business) G = Government E = Export Balance (Trade)