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)

Jurisdiction

GS F C SFC

SF

CS

FC

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

Collective Action1. Public Goods

2. National Defense

3. Charity/Benevolence

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.”

God’s Heart for the Hurting Widows Orphans (Fatherless) Poor Foreigner (Stranger)

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

EconomicsThe study of production and consumption of

goods and services

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

Who’s Responsible – Bible

Self

Family

Neighbor

Government

Discussion Shouldn’t Civil Government be primarily

responsible for society’s welfare?

1. The “Sword” - Romans 13:4

2. Imperfect “Interest”

Talent & Opportunity Intellect Physical Strength “Garden”

“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)

Discussion:Should a Christian Retire?

What should a Christian do in Retirement?

Curse of Work – “All the days of your life” Sabbath/Jubilee Principle “Rest and Reflect”