COVID-19 Political & Economic Questions
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Release Date: 01/03/2024
Biblical Principles of Government (8a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
As Mike Winther continues his Biblical Principles of Government series, we'll explore practical components about how the world works while increasing our intellectual inquiry. All of this is so we can gain a better understanding of how we can make a difference. He kicks off the show by discussing whether the topics covered in the series really matter. For many Christians, they don't. Everything is already seen as a foregone conclusion. This is a view that people have held since the second century AD. If your answer is yes, this matters, then what are you going to do? This lecture will...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (7b)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Mike Winther continues his conversation from last week about charity, highlighting God's plan for generosity and the importance of sharing. He differentiates between God's model of voluntary charity and the concept of forced charity, such as Marxism, which he claims is not genuine charity. He compares the government's approach to God's model, beginning the episode by referencing scriptural passages that outline God's vision. Mike also examines God's "safety net," which includes working, helping one's family, and seeking support from the church. Another critical topic he dives into is the...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (7a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
In this discussion, Mike Winther explores the significant topic of charity. Mike approaches this subject with caution to ensure that our actions align not only with our intentions but also with what God intends. He discusses the arguments for both large and small government structures, highlighting two main reasons why government expansion occurs. Mike examines what the Bible says about charity and assisting the poor, and he contrasts God’s model of charity with that of Karl Marx. Additionally, Mike addresses the issue of inflation, the increase in the money supply, and rising prices. We...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (6b)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
This episode of the series begins by discussing the 2007 and 2008 housing bubble, a topic that remains highly relevant today. During that period, prices were skyrocketing and interest rates were low, leading people to refinance and sink deeper into debt. When the collapse occurred, proponents of big government blamed the free market and called for increased regulation. Mike dives into the causes of this housing bubble, highlighting the manipulation of interest rates, the pricing of money, and the economic stimulation by the Federal Reserve. He discusses how low interest rates and the selling...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (6a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Mike Winther kicks off Section 6a of "Biblical Principles of Government" with a poignant quote from Thomas Jefferson: "It's strangely absurd to suppose that a million human beings collected together are not under the same moral laws which bind each of them separately." This assertion underlines the principle of The Collective Application of God's Commands. Mike dives into the concepts of individualism and collectivism, explaining individualism as dealing with individuals, whereas collectivism addresses the group as a whole. He highlights the role of government as a collective entity that...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (5b)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Last week, Mike Winther discussed the biblical view of property, the definition of property, and the question of whether private property should even exist. Throughout this series of lectures, he has been using the example of an island to illustrate each concept. Today, we return to the island to vote on redistributing money from the island's wealthy family to its poorer counterpart. In essence, our island has adopted a somewhat socialist approach, redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor. This change necessitates the introduction of an IRS agent and a social worker, leading to...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (5a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
In the words of Samuel Adams, one of the fathers of the American Revolution, The natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life; secondly, to liberty; thirdly, to property; and lastly, to support and defend them in the best manner they can. Our journey began with the theme of origins, followed by the theme of nature. Tonight, we turn our attention to property. We will explore the biblical view of property, define what property is, discuss how we manage property, and debate whether private property should exist. We dive into the multifaceted concept of property through a...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (4b)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
In this section of Mike Winther’s class on Biblical Principles of Government. Mike dives into economics with the goal of making economics useful to us. We explore the strategies communist leader Khrushchev purportedly advocated for undermining our economy through the gradual introduction of socialism. Mike emphasizes how societal readiness for change often emerges from discontent with the current state of affairs, suggesting that instigating dissatisfaction is a precursor to change. The lecture covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics, with Mike providing a tangible example of...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (4a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Welcome to Section 4a of Mike Winther's continuing lecture series on the Biblical Principles of Government. In this segment, Mike embarks on an examination of Samuel Chapter 8, focusing on the events following the Israelites' entry into the promised land, which was preceded by a significant 40-year period of wandering in the wilderness. This period began after the Israelites sent spies to scout the land of Canaan, and, upon receiving a discouraging report, the majority chose not to trust in God’s promise. Contrarily, only two spies, Caleb and Joshua, remained optimistic and faithful to...
info_outline
Biblical Principles of Government (3b)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Mike Winther continues his series of lectures on the Biblical Principles of Government. Today, we dive into the sources of authority. God is identified as a source of authority, a truth we understand through scripture. The Bible is also proposed as the foundation for authority within family governance, as well as in civil and church contexts. If God is not considered the source of authority, then who or what would fill that role? He discusses democracy and the principle of majority rule. Mike draws a distinction between large-scale (big) government and small-scale (small) government,...
info_outlineIt seems that today, everything is filled with controversy. Mike Winther doesn't shy away from potentially contentious topics, as evidenced in his lecture that delves into the political and economic issues related to COVID-19. He addresses questions about masking, lockdowns, and the appropriate role of government during an epidemic.
His discussion begins with the fundamentals and underlying principles, which he then attempts to apply to the context of the pandemic. He starts with the political and governmental dimensions before exploring the economic implications. Additionally, he discusses concepts such as self-governance and the three God-ordained institutional governments, setting the stage for a principled examination of modern issues.
You’ll Learn:
-
[02:19] The three God ordained governments include the state government, the church government, and the family government.
-
[03:35] Rights and authority of civil government and the proper authority of government.
-
[04:41] He talks about legitimate powers of the government.
-
[05:24] Broadly speaking civil rights are rights of the citizens within a society.
-
[06:53] The proper role of civil government is everywhere except where it violates rights.
-
[08:16] We know from the Bible that there are limits on all governments including the civil government.
-
[09:11] Government authority comes from God. All authority has absolute boundaries. Scripture provides adequate tools for us to discover the proper role of government. Relativism and gray areas do not come from God.
-
[12:01] Rights of the citizens also come from God.
-
[13:31] As fewer Americans stop thinking our rights come from God, we lose liberty.
-
[16:14] The power of the civil government is to protect one person from another and adjudicate disputes.
-
[18:16] Does spreading Coronavirus infringe on other people's rights?
-
[22:02] We don't want the government to take away someone's rights unjustly.
-
[25:17] The view of the government is that they can infringe on people's rights and freedoms to avoid the spread of the virus.
-
[29:15] Mike talks about standards, reasonable cause, and presumption. He also talks about property rights.
-
[34:50] The practical aspects of how we deal with a pandemic.
-
[40:03] Mike gives an example of property rights and how it relates to smoking in restaurants.
-
[46:10] The idea of presumption. One is innocent until proven guilty. Relativism is the belief that there are no absolutes.
-
[47:24] A bright line is a line of separation between two things. It's a concept that divides one thing from another.
-
[50:52] If you can't find a bright line, you are using relativism for decision making, because there is no absolute.
-
[53:24] A better way to decide what is proper for the government is God's way and reading the scripture.
-
[54:16] We need a standard of what the government can and cannot do.
-
[54:29] Economic issues and voluntary versus compulsory. Christians are likely to do the right thing. The more people are exposed to a Biblical worldview, the more people will be concerned about others.
-
[56:13] People are less likely to disengage from commerce if they can't pay the bills.