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It’s the goal of The Institute of Principle Studies to teach the biblical principles of civil government and economics. Mike Winther talks about the basics of biblical principles of government in this lecture given in June of 2012.
We need to educate our children and ourselves, so we can be informed voters and shape the world in a positive way. We want our children to be adequately prepared. We need to spend more time instructing them in government and economics.
You’ll Learn:
- [01:21] It’s the goal of our organization to share what the Bible has to say about civil government and economics.
- [03:57] What’s the harm of raising sons and daughters who are bad students of government and economics? These children are future voters. We need to educate them and ourselves.
- [06:19] Fundamentals. The foundations of government. There are three God ordained government institutions. We are also to govern ourselves rightly.
- [08:29] There is a family government, civil government, and church government. Scripture refers to all three in a positive way.
- [11:21] The key question is what is the proper role of government?
- [12:43] If there’s a proper role of government, then there’s also an improper role of government.
- [14:38] George Washington said that government isn’t reason or eloquence. It’s Force. A dangerous servant and a fearful master.
- [15:32] The rod is a symbol of biblical discipline and authority. The church government has excommunication. Civil government is represented by the sword.
- [20:30] It’s important to understand the origin of rights. Mike shares why rights come from God.
- [28:55] The dangers of having our rights come from the government.
- [30:35] The only way to have rights is to have them come from a non-human source. If human beings give us rights, human beings can take them away. The only option to have our rights come from is God.
- [36:00] Biblical roles of civil government include punishing crime and protecting our country. Should we allow the government to take away our rights in the name of security?
- [37:11] Rights come from God. This is the universal view of founding America.
- [38:41] What is the government source of authority? What authorizes them to do something? Biblically the government is accountable to the people it doesn’t get its authority from the people.
- [42:01] From a Biblical big-picture perspective there are things that are authorized and not authorized. Every field of study points to the Creator.
- [43:20] Behind every source of law is a God. Choosing your authority is choosing your God.
- [45:37] The dangers of appealing to the wrong source of authority.
- [46:18] Forms of government. Monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and republic. No government is anarchy. The first three are man-centered.
- [49:18] Republics are based on law. A republic can be a good or a bad government based on the source of the law.
- [50:51] The two kingdom views of the government. There’s a spiritual realm and an Earthly realm. Christ is the head of all things spiritual and Satan Earthly. God has all authority even in Earthly institutions.
- [52:25] The two kingdom view is designed to keep Christians from being interested in government.
- [55:57] Romans 13. There are circumstances where it’s proper to rebel.