This is part 2 of a series, taken from my school's statement of philosophy on history instruction. Part 3 in my next post will conclude this series.
Geography
A Christian study of geography is based on the overarching concept of the creative and sustaining hand of God over the earth itself. Scripture teaches that God is responsible for the contour of the earth[1], that He controls His creation (what we commonly call “nature”)[2], and that all natural resources ultimately belong to Him[3]. From creation, man has been given the responsibility of stewardship over the earth and of its care[4], but the land is polluted and cursed as a result of the sin of the first man, Adam[5]. God intended that man should populate (“fill”) the earth, rather than congregating in one locale[6]; due to the rebellion manifested at the Tower of Babel, God originated nations and languages to force men to scatter and fill the earth[7]. God has thus distributed land to the various tribes and nations of the world, and is concerned about their boundaries[8]. He is also concerned about all kinds of people, wherever they live and whatever their status[9], since all nations are related ultimately through descent from Adam[10].
Government
In this area, we use the word “government” to refer to the “civil government.” We recognize that Scripture teaches the importance of other forms of government (family government, church government, and self government, to name a few). However, here we limit our discussion to civil government, and use the word “government” in that sense. The Christian study of government includes three main points. First, Scripture gives us the basis for government. The Bible teaches that God is the only supreme ruler, controlling and governing all nations and rules, but that He has established human government as a means of controlling sinful man[55]. Thus, we see that the powers that be are ordained of God[56], and that He has the right and authority to declare the proper role of government. Scripture teaches that, insofar as government is founded upon Biblical directives and principles, personal integrity, and strong family life[57], we will find that civil authorities are a deterrent to evil, and not to good[58]. Even in an ungodly society, we see that the actions of believers, even though they are few in number, can change the direction of government[59].
Second, Scripture instructs us concerning nations, governments, and God. Since God is the supreme ruler over all, He holds all nations accountable for their actions[60]. When men refuse God’s rule, He sometimes lets them rule themselves and suffer the consequences of their sinful actions[61]. When a godly city or nation turns from God, her sins are often more serious than those of the heathen, and her condemnation is greater[62]. To accomplish His purposes, God has used warfare[63], and has had a specific hand in warfare, giving directions, insuring victory, and causing others to recognize Him[64].
Third, a study of government includes the personal citizenship responsibilities of believers. Governments and government officials are to be respected for their position and obeyed[65]; God condemns rebellion and rioting[66]. However, obedience to God always comes before obedience to men when the two conflict[67]. Love of country and concern for her welfare is natural[68], and should result in men being willing to pay their share for the support of government[69], along with prayer for civil leaders in order that there may be peaceful living[70].
[1] Neh. 9:6; Job 26:10; 28:9-011; Isa. 40:22
[2] Lev. 26:4-6,21,22; Ps. 107:23-38
[3] Ex. 19:5; Lev. 26:32-35; 1 Chron. 29:14,16; Hag. 2:8; Ps. 24:1; 89:11; Ezek. 29:3,9,10
[4] Gen. 2:15; Ex. 23:11; Ps. 8:6
[5] Gen. 3:17,18; Ps. 106:37,38; Isa. 24:5,6; Jer. 2:7
[6] Gen. 1:28; 9:1; 11:1-9
[7] Gen. 10; 11:1-9
[8] Num. 34:1-28; Deut. 2:5-3:2; Josh. 1:2-5; Jer. 27:6-8; Acts 17:26
[9] Acts 10:34,35; Rom. 10:12,13; James 2:1-9
[10] Gen. 10:32; Acts 17:26; 1 Cor. 15:39
[55] Gen. 9:5,6; Rom. 13:3,4
[56] Rom. 13:1-4
[57] Ex. 20:12; Deut. 21:18-21; Prov. 11:10,11; 14:34; 1 Tim. 3:4,5,12
[58] Rom. 13:3,4; 1 Tim. 2:1,2; 1 Pet. 2:13,14
[59] Gen. 39-50; Esth. 1-10; Dan. 2:46-49; 3:28-30; 4:1-3; 6:10,25-28
[60] Jer. 46; 48:1-8; 49:1-22; 50:1-29
[61] Num. 22:4-20; 1 Sam. 8:5-9,19-22; Ps. 81:11,12; Ezek. 20:39; Rom. 1:21-28
[62] Ezek. 16:48-54; Matt. 10:15; 11:20-24; Luke 12:48
[63] Num. 31:1-20; 33:50-56; Deut. 2:24-36; Judg. 3:8,9,12; 2 Chron. 33:9-13
[64] Josh. 1:1-6; 2:9-11; 6:2,20,21; 8:1,2,8,28; 9:24,25; 10:8; 21:43,44; 23:9,10; Judg. 1:19-36; 1 Sam. 30
[65] Ex. 22:28; 1 Sam. 24:6,7; 26:8-11; 31:8-13; 2 Sam. 1:14-16; 4:5-12; Prov. 25:6,7; Matt. 17:24-27; 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26; Acts 23:2-5; Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1,2; 1 Pet. 2:12-20
[66] Ex. 32; Num. 11:1-3,12; 14:1-4,20-35; 16:1-35,41-50; 21:4-9; 27:12-14; Deut. 17:12; 21:18-21; Ezra 7:26; Rom. 13:1-7; Jude 4,6-10
[67] Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-33
[68] 1 Chron. 19:10-13; Ezra 1:5; Neh. 1:2-11; 2:1-20; Ps. 137:1-6
[69] Ex. 38:25-28; Neh. 10:32; 1 Kings 9:15; Matt. 17:24-27; 22:17-21; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:21-26; Rom. 13:6-8
[70] Jer. 29:7; 1 Tim. 2:1-3
Geography
A Christian study of geography is based on the overarching concept of the creative and sustaining hand of God over the earth itself. Scripture teaches that God is responsible for the contour of the earth[1], that He controls His creation (what we commonly call “nature”)[2], and that all natural resources ultimately belong to Him[3]. From creation, man has been given the responsibility of stewardship over the earth and of its care[4], but the land is polluted and cursed as a result of the sin of the first man, Adam[5]. God intended that man should populate (“fill”) the earth, rather than congregating in one locale[6]; due to the rebellion manifested at the Tower of Babel, God originated nations and languages to force men to scatter and fill the earth[7]. God has thus distributed land to the various tribes and nations of the world, and is concerned about their boundaries[8]. He is also concerned about all kinds of people, wherever they live and whatever their status[9], since all nations are related ultimately through descent from Adam[10].
Government
In this area, we use the word “government” to refer to the “civil government.” We recognize that Scripture teaches the importance of other forms of government (family government, church government, and self government, to name a few). However, here we limit our discussion to civil government, and use the word “government” in that sense. The Christian study of government includes three main points. First, Scripture gives us the basis for government. The Bible teaches that God is the only supreme ruler, controlling and governing all nations and rules, but that He has established human government as a means of controlling sinful man[55]. Thus, we see that the powers that be are ordained of God[56], and that He has the right and authority to declare the proper role of government. Scripture teaches that, insofar as government is founded upon Biblical directives and principles, personal integrity, and strong family life[57], we will find that civil authorities are a deterrent to evil, and not to good[58]. Even in an ungodly society, we see that the actions of believers, even though they are few in number, can change the direction of government[59].
Second, Scripture instructs us concerning nations, governments, and God. Since God is the supreme ruler over all, He holds all nations accountable for their actions[60]. When men refuse God’s rule, He sometimes lets them rule themselves and suffer the consequences of their sinful actions[61]. When a godly city or nation turns from God, her sins are often more serious than those of the heathen, and her condemnation is greater[62]. To accomplish His purposes, God has used warfare[63], and has had a specific hand in warfare, giving directions, insuring victory, and causing others to recognize Him[64].
Third, a study of government includes the personal citizenship responsibilities of believers. Governments and government officials are to be respected for their position and obeyed[65]; God condemns rebellion and rioting[66]. However, obedience to God always comes before obedience to men when the two conflict[67]. Love of country and concern for her welfare is natural[68], and should result in men being willing to pay their share for the support of government[69], along with prayer for civil leaders in order that there may be peaceful living[70].
[1] Neh. 9:6; Job 26:10; 28:9-011; Isa. 40:22
[2] Lev. 26:4-6,21,22; Ps. 107:23-38
[3] Ex. 19:5; Lev. 26:32-35; 1 Chron. 29:14,16; Hag. 2:8; Ps. 24:1; 89:11; Ezek. 29:3,9,10
[4] Gen. 2:15; Ex. 23:11; Ps. 8:6
[5] Gen. 3:17,18; Ps. 106:37,38; Isa. 24:5,6; Jer. 2:7
[6] Gen. 1:28; 9:1; 11:1-9
[7] Gen. 10; 11:1-9
[8] Num. 34:1-28; Deut. 2:5-3:2; Josh. 1:2-5; Jer. 27:6-8; Acts 17:26
[9] Acts 10:34,35; Rom. 10:12,13; James 2:1-9
[10] Gen. 10:32; Acts 17:26; 1 Cor. 15:39
[55] Gen. 9:5,6; Rom. 13:3,4
[56] Rom. 13:1-4
[57] Ex. 20:12; Deut. 21:18-21; Prov. 11:10,11; 14:34; 1 Tim. 3:4,5,12
[58] Rom. 13:3,4; 1 Tim. 2:1,2; 1 Pet. 2:13,14
[59] Gen. 39-50; Esth. 1-10; Dan. 2:46-49; 3:28-30; 4:1-3; 6:10,25-28
[60] Jer. 46; 48:1-8; 49:1-22; 50:1-29
[61] Num. 22:4-20; 1 Sam. 8:5-9,19-22; Ps. 81:11,12; Ezek. 20:39; Rom. 1:21-28
[62] Ezek. 16:48-54; Matt. 10:15; 11:20-24; Luke 12:48
[63] Num. 31:1-20; 33:50-56; Deut. 2:24-36; Judg. 3:8,9,12; 2 Chron. 33:9-13
[64] Josh. 1:1-6; 2:9-11; 6:2,20,21; 8:1,2,8,28; 9:24,25; 10:8; 21:43,44; 23:9,10; Judg. 1:19-36; 1 Sam. 30
[65] Ex. 22:28; 1 Sam. 24:6,7; 26:8-11; 31:8-13; 2 Sam. 1:14-16; 4:5-12; Prov. 25:6,7; Matt. 17:24-27; 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26; Acts 23:2-5; Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1,2; 1 Pet. 2:12-20
[66] Ex. 32; Num. 11:1-3,12; 14:1-4,20-35; 16:1-35,41-50; 21:4-9; 27:12-14; Deut. 17:12; 21:18-21; Ezra 7:26; Rom. 13:1-7; Jude 4,6-10
[67] Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-33
[68] 1 Chron. 19:10-13; Ezra 1:5; Neh. 1:2-11; 2:1-20; Ps. 137:1-6
[69] Ex. 38:25-28; Neh. 10:32; 1 Kings 9:15; Matt. 17:24-27; 22:17-21; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:21-26; Rom. 13:6-8
[70] Jer. 29:7; 1 Tim. 2:1-3