Question
1. Explain how the following Biblical concepts contribute to what the Bible says about the role of government:
• Inalienable rights
• Natural law
• Institutional separation of church and state
• Covenant/federalism
• Sin/crime distinction
2. Provide one policy issue and discuss how those Biblical principles would be helpful for understanding the government’s approach to the issue.
3. Provide an overview of the key enumerated powers in the Constitution relevant for what each branch of government may and may not do.
4. Compare and contrast how the three basic worldviews discussed in the week 1 presentations and activities would define the role of government and other actors in policy solutions.
* All required sources/presentations from Modules/Weeks 1–2 must be used, especially the “Biblical Principles of Government” article, in addition to 3–5 outside sources. The Constitution must also be cited as appropriate, especially for question 3.
Sample paper
Biblical Principles of Government Synthesis Paper
For any nation or state to incorporate biblical perspective in all its operations, there is the need to understand and realize the importance of national leadership and the role it plays in people’s lives each of whom is made in the image of God. Research shows that Christians and the founding father of the united states did their best to ensure that they incorporated biblical concepts into the creating and maintenance of the united states government. A government is often made up of legislators, administrators, and arbitrators who help in ensuring that inclusive policies are created and enforced to improve the living standards of the people in a nation. Christians believe that all human history and by God shows that human being needs to be governed to ensure that they lead righteous ways (Sharkansky, 2017). According to the Bible, the common citizens have a duty of submitting themselves for lord’s sake to human institutions, whether the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent to punish evildoers and praise well-doers.
Question 1
Explain how the following Biblical concepts contribute to what the Bible says about the role of government?
1.Inalienable Rights
According to the declaration of independence, Inalienable Rights are those rights that cannot be given or taken away. According to the Bible, every single individual is created uniquely in the image of the Lord, and they are entitled to be the children of the highest something that cannot be taken away from them. Therefore, individual personality and character cannot be lawfully taken away from an individual.
2.Natural Law
Natural law has been described as the unchanging body of moral principles that help to distinguish the right and wrong. According to the Bible, God holds the highest authority, and all human-made laws should be based on his authority and laws. Therefore, all the laws and policies should be based on the biblical laws and policies designed in the ancient days (Beliles & McDowell, 2010).
3.Separation of state and church
The Bible shows that Jesus did not have to use politics or military authority to enforce his authority and kingdom over the people. The church should be redeemed through the power of Christ with the help of the holy spirit. Therefore, the church and the state should work as independent entities to protect the freedom and conscience of both institutions.
4.Covenant/federalism
Federalism is that form of government that allows two or more entities share control over the same jurisdiction. According to the united states constitution, the united states citizens are subjected to both state and federal law. According to the Bible, the authority of any government should be God-given and should be limited to ensure that there is no anarchy or misuse of power.
5.Sin/Crime distinction
Notably, all crimes can be categorized as sins, but not all sins are crimes. Sins are often associated with acting and behaving contrary to the perfect image of God while crime is always connected with destruction and harmony. According to the bible, crimes should be punished accordingly in line with the rules and regulations of a country (Sharkansky, 2017).
Question 2
Provide one policy issue and discuss how those Biblical principles would be helpful for understanding the government’s approach to the issue.
Over the years, united states have faced numerous policy issues that have threatened to shake the unity of one of the democratic countries in the world today. School prayer policy issue has been one of the pressing issues in the united states in the recent past. According to the supreme court of the country, it is against the law for any public school to write or select prayers for recitation or even start each day with a reading from a bible (Beliles & McDowell, 2010). Based on the fact that the society is made up of people from different religious backgrounds, it is unfair and unconstitutional to force students to follow a particular religious line. According to the bible, every individual has a right to choose his way of worship and choose his or her own God. Therefore, parents in the USA should now feel comfortable to send their children to school without fearing that they will be forced to worship as per someone else faith and beliefs.
Question 3
Provide an overview of the key enumerated powers in the Constitution relevant for what each branch of government may and may not do.
The government is always divided into three major branches: the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. The legislative arm of the government, which is often made up of the Congress has the power and the right to levy taxes and borrow from the public and private sector to ensure that they finance all public activities as well as introducing constitutional amendments in the country. On the other hand, the executive branch of the government largely focuses on the powers and authority of the president of the united states. The president serves as the commander in chief, conduct foreign affairs as well as make treaties on behalf of the country upon approval from the Senate (USA, 2014). Finally, the judiciary focuses on the powers and authority of the judiciary system that consists of judges and magistrates. Therefore, the judge has the power and the right to listen to all cases in the country.
Question 4
Compare and contrast how the three basic worldviews discussed in the week 1 presentations and activities would define the role of government and other actors in policy solutions.
According to judo-Christianism, all Christians should embrace and respect those in authority and power since the power and authority come from God. According to them, governments are instituted by God. Additionally, according to the modernism, people should believe in evolution and progress of man, science, and technology, which in turn, discard the notion that power and authority come from God (Phillips, Einwechter, Jehle, & Vision Forum Ministries, 2011). Finally, post-modernist deny the existence of God as there is no universal truth that God exists. As a result, they reject any form of sexual and gender-based norms as rigid and unhelpful.
References
Beliles, M. A., & McDowell, S. K. (2010). America’s providential history: Including Biblical principles of education, government, politics, economics, and family life. Charlottesville, VA: Providence Foundation.
Phillips, D. W., Einwechter, W. O., Jehle, P., & Vision Forum Ministries. (2011). Law & government: An introductory study course. San Antonio, TX: Vision Forum Ministries.
Sharkansky, I. (2017). Governing Israel: Chosen people, promised land & prophetic tradition. London: Routledge.
USA. (2014). The constitution of the United States of America. Simbach am Inn: Miniaturbuchverl. Leipzig.
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