AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Pump Primer Explain what you believe

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Pump Primer • Explain what you believe the term “authority” means. CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1: THE ONLY SURE FOUNDATION

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Biblical Integration • The structure of civil authority within society are essential and God-ordained. (Rom 13: 1 -7; Mk. 12: 17; 1 Peter 2: 13 -17)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Objectives LO 1 -1: • Infer from Scripture the structure of authority in the Trinity. • Defend the idea that government would be necessary even in a world without sin, • Apply the Biblical teaching on human depravity to a critique of anarchism. LO 1 -2: • Define justice. • Defend the assertion that government’s central obligation is to ensure justice. • Evaluate governmental policies and actions based on whether they punish unrighteousness and reward righteousness. LO 1 -3: • Create a prayer for government officials. • Participate in a teacher-suggested project that enables them to press for justice in their local government. • Evaluate political discourse in light of biblical commands about citizens; responsibility toward government. • Identify a way to be a testimony to a government official during this course.

1. 1 THE NECESSITY OF GOVERNMENT

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Role of Government “To Be Free, One Must Be Chained. ” • In at least a half-page, write down what the above statement represents to you and answer the following questions. : • Would it be possible for all Americans to live as they choose with total freedom and without a government establishing limits on our individual freedoms? • Do we, as a society really need rules and regulations to enforce cooperation among individuals? • What are your duties and responsibilities as a citizen of the United States? • What is the role you play in government? (Keesee 3)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Government § any system of public rule or authority • The Nature of God and His World § Spiritual Foundation • We live in an era that continually questions and/or attempt to overturn authority. • This leaves many within the Christian realm wondering, how should such attempts to influence or overturn authority affect my attitudes and actions? Read: Romans 13: 1 -7 (Keesee 3)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 pp. 3 -5 • The Trinity • The Father sends, the Son acts and the Spirit empowers. (Luke 4: 18 -21) • Jesus submitted His will to the Father’s will (Luke 22: 42) • The Son lives in complete submission to the Father’s will. (John 5: 19, 30) • The Spirit does not speak on His own authority. He speaks only what the Son instructs Him to speak. (John 16: 13 -14) • The Son will forever rule over the world. But He will also forever be submitted to the Father. (1 Cor. 15: 28)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Mankind Before the Fall • Made in the “image of God” • Creation Mandate • Christians need to remember that the earth and everything in it belongs to God (Ps. 24: 1) • God has made humans rulers over His creation (Gen 1: 26, 28; Ps 8: 5 -8) to subdue, cultivate, and have charge over it (Gen. 1: 28; 2: 15). • An authority structure • A system of order is necessary due to the sinful nature of man (Reesee 4)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • The Problem of Human Depravity • Created in God’s image • Originally mankind was good • Sin marred God’s image (disobedience of Adam & Eve) • Without government human race would destroy itself • Death penalty – Gen. 9: 6; Rom 13: 3 -4 • Anarchy: absence of government (Reesee 5)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Federalist No. 51 • James Madison observed and stated: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. ”

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Human Government on the New Earth • Will there be government in the New Earth? (Rev 21: 24) • Sin complicates attempts to achieve just governments in the present world (Reesee 5)

1. 2 THE OBLIGATIONS OF GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 1 What is America's true form of government? ” http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j 7 M 7 Lkvc. Vw&feature=related

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • The central obligation of government is to ensure justice. • Governments that are just • reward righteousness • punish the unrighteous • protect rights (Reesee 6 -7)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Being made in God’s image gives humans their true rights. The moral code established by the state should reflect the character of God and honor the rights of humans. (Reesee 6 -7)

1. 3 THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE GOVERNED

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 “certain unalienable rights” constitutional rights civil rights pp. 7 -10

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Rights imply duties. • What duties do Christians have toward the governments under which they live? (Reesee 7 -10)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Christians have three main obligations towards government: • Render Obedience • Render Understanding • Render Participation (Reesee 7 -10)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 pp. 7 -10 Edmund Burke’s warning: • “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for enough good men to do nothing. ” (“Wisdom Quotes”)

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 pp. 7 -10 • Submission • Government must bring order and justice to society, which requires citizens who respect its authority • God is still the highest authority

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 pp. 7 -10 • Even if we disagree with those in leadership, how should our attitude be towards their position? (Rom. 13: 5 -7) • 1 Tim 2: 1 -2 “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ” ‘ Also see: I Thess. 4: 11 -12; Titus 3: 1 -2

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 • Witness • Evangelization • Testify of governments’ responsibility before God pp. 7 -10

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Patriotism • What does the term “patriotism” mean to you? (Reese 10}

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Patriotism love and devotion to one’s country (Reese 10}

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Activity: Impact of Government on the Individual • List 15 ways in which government has an impact or influence on you, personally. • Identify each of your result as to whether it is one of national government, state government, and/or local government. • Do you believe "Governmental Power is Too Little or Too Much? " Explain your answer.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 1 Activity: “Edmund Burke”. Wisdom Quotes. com. 6 Jul 2006. http: //www. wisdomquotes. com/002657. html “What is America's true form of government? ” You. Tube. com 26 Sep 2008. 13 Jul 2009. http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=j 7 M-7 Lkvc. Vw&feature=related