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Sep. 21, 2005
The First Things to Learn and Teach About Government
I will actually be splitting this section up, because there is just too much information. Feel free to ask any questions!
First, you must begin with the definitions of government from Websters 1828 dictionary.
There are four key ideas: Direction, Regulation, Control,
Restraint. Each involves successively greater external control
and a decrease in self-government, or liberty.
Then you look to the scriptures to discover the biblical or divine origins of government.
Look through the following verses and determine who is regulating, controlling, and restraining:
Direction: Genesis 1:26-28
Regulation: Genesis 1:26-30, Genesis 2:15
Control: Genesis 2:17 (first half)
Restraining: Genesis 2:17 (second half)
Man was made to be governed by God alone, not by other men.
Our government (direction, regulation, control and restraint) either
comes from within or without. If man refuses to govern himself,
the external government must increase. Who causes tyranny?
Tyranny is the result of a sinful people. (1Sam 8:7 and continuing)
Conclusion: The biblical origin, source of government is Gods care for His creation.
Death = separation from God
Death = separation from life
Government is for preserving good, NOT doing good. Doing good = socialism.
There are four principles to evaluate good government from wicked government.
1. Gods authority/supremacy established: One God is
Supreme Law over All; All equal under one Law, In the sight of One
Supreme God.
In the beginning, God
(Gen 1:1)
2. Power is from God and is delegated, delimited and defined, but never surrendered.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:15
3. Voluntary Obedience, Consent to Authority
Genesis 2:7
4. To serve, administer Good, but never to do Good for people.
Genesis 1:31
Conclusion: Government begins with divine authority and whether man is obedient or disobedient to it.
Reasoned obedience = free, voluntary obedience, not coerced, not manipulated.
All four principles were in place from the beginning of our
constitution. That is why we are a Christian nation, not because
of the number of Christians, but because of the Christian form of
government that was implemented here.
When children ask Why? think about your response. Responding,
Because I said so, prepares them for tyranny. Appeal to their
reason: because it is reasonable for you. It is
reasonable for children to obey their parents and others in authority
if they are not being asked to sin. Whether the child likes it or
not, parental requests that do not involve sin are reasonable.
Soul = seat of reason
God invites us to come reason with him. (Isaiah 1:18)
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Posted by
Sep. 21, 2005 - Thanks
Miiko