Law Government Economics MS 407 Biblical Worldview Rule

Law, Government & Economics MS 407 Biblical Worldview

Rule of Law n n the ruler or measure by which judgments are made Legal Positivism – the will of the sovereign n Evolutionary Rule Scientific Rule Humanist (Pragmatic or Utilitarian Rule)

Natural Law n n Will of the Sovereign Natural Rights 1. Life 2. Individual Liberty 3. Family Sovereignty 4. Private Property 5. Do No Harm

Functions of Government - Bible 1. Justice/Judgment Gen 9: 5 -6; Ex 18: 13 -16; Deut 17: 8 -13; Rm 13: 3 -4; 1 Peter 2: 13 -14

Government n Definition (Merriam-Webster) the act or process of providing authoritative direction or control; rule

God’s Governments 1. 2. 3. 4. Self (Genesis 1) Family (Genesis 2) Church (Genesis 3) The State/Traditional Government (Genesis 9)

S Jurisdiction F C G C C F F S S C F S

Purpose of Civil Government n n n 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, *v 30 -32; Acts 12: 22 -23)

Functions of Government - Bible 1. 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 n Rule of Law n the ruler or measure by which judgments are made Legal Positivism – the will of the sovereign n Evolutionary Rule Scientific Rule Humanist (Pragmatic or Utilitarian Rule)

Penal Standards n Judgment must be just/righteous 1. Fair A. B. C. 2. 3. 4. Based on 2+ Witnesses Innocent until Prove Guilty Right to Defense Unpartial No Bribery Swift (Eccl 8: 11)

Penal Sentences n n n Deterrence Punitive until Restoration Types 1. 2. Restitution Atonement (Satisfaction)

Functions of Government - Bible 1. Justice/Judgment Gen 9: 5 -6; Ex 18: 13 -16; Deut 17: 8 -13; Rm 13: 3 -4; 1 Peter 2: 13 -14 2. Research Pro 25: 2

Research n n n Proverbs 25: 2 Origins in God’s Desire to be Known Useful to Society 1. 2. Subduing the Earth “State of the Union”

Functions of Government - Bible 1. Justice/Judgment Gen 9: 5 -6; Ex 18: 13 -16; Deut 17: 8 -13; Rm 13: 3 -4; 1 Peter 2: 13 -14 2. Research Pro 25: 2 3. Collective Action Gen 11: 1 -9, *4; 1 Sam 8: 1 -22, *20

Collective Action 1. 2. 3. Public Goods National Defense Charity/Benevolence

Public v. Private Goods n Characteristics of Public Goods n n 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 n n n 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 n n Widows Orphans (Fatherless) Poor Foreigner (Stranger)

Church Benevolence n n n Commanded – Deut 14: 28 -29; James 1: 27; Malachi 3: 10 Expected – Matt 25: 36 Practiced – Acts 4: 32 -*35; 6: 1 -2

Economics The study of production and consumption of goods and services

Main Concerns n Provision – Adequate provision for the life, health, happiness and wealth of individuals n Scarcity – Limited resources in any given geopolitical society

Three Questions n n n 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 n n n 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 & Weaknesses Traditional n Strengths Stable n Predictable n Provides roles and structure to society n n Weaknesses Subsistence, No room for growth n Discourages new tactics n Command n Strengths Equitable n Predictable n Can quickly change direction n n Weaknesses Lack of motivation for innovations n Inefficient n Error n Market n Strengths Self-Enforcing n Efficient n Dynamic n Motivates innovation n n Weaknesses Inequitable n Ignorant of the defenseless n

¿Who’s Responsible? n n Genesis 3: 17 -19 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 -13 Proverb: 19: 15; 13: 4; 19: 24; 12: 27; 22: 13 Proverb: 24: 30 -34 n Isaiah 49: 15; Psalms 27: 10 1 Timothy 5: 4 -8, 16 n Luke 10: 29 -37, *37 n

Who’s Responsible – Bible Government Neighbor Family Self

Discussion n Shouldn’t Civil Government be primarily responsible for society’s welfare? 1. 2. The “Sword” - Romans 13: 4 Imperfect “Interest”

Talent & Opportunity n n n Intellect Physical Strength “Garden”

“Private Property” n God-given (natural) authority to direct and dispose of a resource. n n n Presupposed in 8 th & 10 th Commandment Result of Dominion of Man over Creation Natural/Logical Consequence of Labor

Standards for Benevolence n n n Tithe Principle: 10% Zacchaeus Principle: 50% (half) Widow’s Principle: 100% (all)

Discussion: Consumption n n “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: n Poverty & Inequality: What do we do about it? n n “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 n Engine that powers the economy n n Not Stocks & Bonds; Rather Entrepreneurship Profit = Accountability Activates the “Multiplier” Acts unlike consumption spending Depends on consumer saving

Utility of a Christian’s Business 1. 2. 3. 4. Funding the Gospel Meeting Needs Discipleship Making a Profit

The U. S. Economy n GDP = C + I + G + E (T) n n n 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? n n Curse of Work – “All the days of your life” Sabbath/Jubilee Principle “Rest and Reflect”