living word bible study faithful politics – the american experiment review –what did the...
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Living Word Bible Study
Faithful Politics – The American Experiment
• Review– What did the Founders believe about the role of
religion in public life?• This new democracy was essentially a gamble that
people could effectively rule themselves.• The success of this endeavor was directly tied to the
moral integrity of the nation as a whole.• Theistic religion and Christianity in particular were the
best way to insure the integrity of the people, and thus the success of the Nation.
• Thus, Religion was not just tolerated in public and political life, but essential.
• However, the best way to insure the success of religion within a nation is to allow it be freely practiced.
• The government should neither attempt to impose a particular religion on the people, nor restrict them from practicing their religion.
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Living Word Bible Study
Faithful Politics – A Christian Nation (?)
• Question: Do we need to return to our “Christian Heritage”?– What do we mean by that?
• Force Christian Faith upon people?• Reflect the Christian Faith in our laws?
– Do we really mean that we are abandoning decency, morality, honor, the work ethic?
– If so, how can we address this problem?
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Living Word Bible Study
Faithful Politics – The role of the Church
• Question: How can we address the moral decay in our society?– What is the cause of moral decay in our society?
• Media, Secular Elite, Materialism, Individualism?• In the end, is it not morally flawed (sinful)
individuals who are at the heart of the problem?
– Who’s job is it to address the root cause of our problems (sin), the State or the Church?
• Can the government transform people, and “save” them from their sin?
• So if we have an epidemic of immorality in our society is it not the church who has failed in its mission, and also is it not only the Church who has a hope of addressing the fundamental problem?
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Living Word Bible Study
Faithful Politics – The Role of the State
• Question: If the basic moral failings of our society should be addressed by the Church, not the State, then what role (if any) does the State play?
• Roles of the state– Administer Justice– Protect Peace– Defend the Nation– What else?
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Living Word Bible Study
Faithful Politics – A Christian Nation (?)
• Question: Has America ever been a “Christian Nation”?
• What is your definition of “Christian Nation”?• Official Religion
– America has never had and official religion.– Citizenship has never been contingent upon religious
participation.
• Percentage of population– There have been large percentages of the population
who call themselves Christian, including today.
• General Moral Foundations– Is much of American and in fact Western Law is based
upon general Biblical principles? (Judeo-Christian Ethic)