Posted in The Principle Approach: Self-Directed Study

Week 10—Assignment

• Lesson 6
  • America’s Heritage of Christian Character—3rd Principle section only
• Supplemental Resources:  
  • T&L pgs. 73-75; 122-124—Outlining America’s Heritage of Christian Character
  • T&L pgs. 210-224—Key to Expanding the Principles
  • CHOC, I, pgs. 1-9—
• Assignments:  None

v     “This divine power of the gospel revealed itself to the heathen in the lives of Christians, which showed forth the virtues of Him who had called them out of darkness into his marvelous light, and enabled them to walk as the children of God, in the midst of a perverse generation, among whom they shone as lights in the world!…The whole life of the Christian, from the beginning to the end, is a conflict with the world and the powers of darkness, a conflict within and without…”  Neander “Memorials of a Christian Life,” 1852

T&L, pgs. 210-215, referred to above, begin with a discussion of the Christian life concerning “liberty of conscience”, “conduct toward government”, “the Christian as a soldier of the Lord” and the Christian life contrasted with paganism.  This principle focuses on the Christian life as it relates to “Faith & Steadfastness”, “Brotherly Love and Christian Care”, “Diligence & Industry” and “Liberty of Conscience”.  As referred to below, this principle is taught using the Pilgrims as the leading idea.  However, since “Faith and Steadfastness”, “Brotherly Love and Christian Care”, “Diligence and Industry” and “Liberty of Conscience” are all Christian principles contained in the Bible, it can be taught with many leading ideas from individuals in the Bible and other individuals in history. 

Why were these traits so evident in the pilgrims?  The Pilgrims used the Word of God for their source in all their actions.  Since the Word of God called on them to act in such a manner to walk as children of God, they did so.

            How is this Biblical principle of Christian Character (faith, steadfastness, brotherly love, Christian care, diligence, industry, and liberty of conscience) defined in Scripture? 

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall...”  Matthew 7:24-29

            “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7 

            “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

            “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”  Acts 24:16 

            Of course, with these character traits, there are numerous verses that are applicable.  These are just a few key verses that PA has identified.

            The principle of America’s Heritage of Christian Character is layered with The Noah Plan as follows:

America’s Heritage of Christian Character

Note:  These are suggestions only and not necessarily the way you need to approach this and not necessarily the way I have approached these areas of learning.  We have freedom in education! 

            As you can see, the teaching of all the layers for this principle is bound in the Heritage of Christian character as exemplified by the Pilgrims.  So much is known about the Pilgrims due to William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation”.  CHOC, I, pgs. 182-240, contains lengthy excerpts from that book.  However, it is quoted directly with the older English spellings and a bit difficult to read.  You may wish to purchase a modern translation of this book.  In order to fully understand the Pilgrims and this 3^rd principle as it relates to them, “Of Plymouth Plantation” is a must read. 

CHOC, I pgs. 1-9—

            I believe understanding the Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government will help in the process of understanding what goes wrong when the government over-governs. 

The Christian Idea of Man—pgs. 1-2

            This is a contrast between man’s idea of man and government and God’s idea of man and government.  This idea has also been described as “The Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government”. 

            “The individual was regarded as of value only as he formed a part of the political fabric, and was able to contribute to its uses, as though it were the end of his being to aggrandize the State.  This was the pagan idea of man.”  CHOC, I, pg. 1

            “Christianity then appeared with its central doctrine, that man was created in the Divine image, and destined for immortality; pronouncing, that, in the eye of God, all men are equal.  This asserted for the individual an independent value…that man is superior to the State, which ought to be fashioned for his use.”  CHOC, I, pg. 2.

America’s Heritage of Christian Character included an understanding of the Christian Idea of God, Man, and Government.  However, to fully understand this concept is a study unto itself.  Just begin to get a grasp on what it is and later more understanding will follow. 

Chain of Christianity Moves Westward—The Role of Geography—pgs. 3-9

The concepts described here, I am still in the process of internalizing.  But just food for thought...think of the character of the continents as they've ended up post-flood...providential?

• Asia: Continent of Origins
• Europe:  Continent of Development
• America:  Continent of Fulfillment
• Australia: Continent of Nature {Antiquity}
• Africa: Continent of Nature {Animal Life}
• South America: Continent of Nature {Vegetation}
• Anarctica: Continent of Nature {Hidden Resources}

Karen