Biblical Principles of Government (3a)
Principle Perspective with Mike Winther
Release Date: 03/06/2024
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_outlineThis podcast is a continuation of Mike Winthers series of lectures on biblical principles in government. This is the first half of the third part. You can find links to the previous lectures below. Mike kicks off this lecture with questions about the nature and challenges of democracy. He begins with some interesting quotes from the book, Financial Reckoning Day.
"Mobs can only hold simple ideas in their minds. Ideas so belittled by the dumbing down process that they are a little more than myths. That was as true of democracy as it was of communism. The important point is that democracy allows for increased participation in politics and it spoils."
What does this mean? Isn't democracy the best form of government? Mike raises some interesting questions about democracy and how we should implement our governmental systems. We need to understand how to have a system that is based on scripture and follows God's principles of government.
You’ll Learn:
-
[00:39] Mike talks about the book, Financial Reckoning Day. Some of the information isn't relevant anymore but he talks about the idea of democracies.
-
[01:34] "Mobs can only hold simple ideas in their minds. Ideas so belittled by the dumbing down process that they are a little more than myths. That was as true of democracy as it was of communism. The important point is that democracy allows for increased participation in politics and it spoils."
-
[02:08] Democracy increases participation in politics. Democracy also increases participation in the spoils.
-
[03:12] The author's hypothesis is that the most tyrannical form of government is not a monarchy. He's going to say it's not an oligarchy. He's going to say that the most radical form of government is a democracy.
-
[04:11] Mass participation makes the government more tyrannical and more resistant to change. Alexis de Tocqueville also agreed with this.
-
[05:19] Tyrant Kings didn't have the resources to widely enforce their edicts.
-
[05:49] Democracy invites people into the governing class and turns them into unpaid agents of the government and makes them their own oppressors.
-
[06:09] In a democracy, citizens are part of the government by voting. This system makes us more willing to accept the outcome of the majority.
-
[07:06] Mike quotes Alexis de Tocqueville.
-
[09:01] In the 1800s, there was a view to push America towards a democracy as opposed to a Republic.
-
[11:21] The Plato versus Paul difference on the sin nature of man.
-
[13:14] We have three branches of government and the legislative branch is broken down into the House and the Senate.
-
[14:31] Isaiah 33:22.
-
[15:41] Are presidents actually elected? Don't forget about the Electoral College.
-
[16:03] Each state gets a certain number of electors that choose the president. This number of electors is based on the number of Senate seats and the number of House seats. There are always two senators.
-
[17:28] George Washington was chosen by the Electoral College which usually consisted of the retired legislature.
-
[18:36] 48 of our 50 states now choose electors by popular vote.
-
[27:16] By design, the Supreme Court has the least accountability of any of the legislative bodies.
-
[28:05] The idea of relative power. The founding fathers did not intend separate but equal.
-
[28:48] The Constitution grants the power of each body. It's a doctrine of enumerated powers which means it lists the powers of each branch of government.
-
[30:21] The founding fathers understood that there was a problem with having a king. There is value in having a strong chief executive.
-
[35:30] Mike talks about the idea of having a mixed form of government with accountability and what the founding fathers originally intended.
-
[42:07] There's a clear distinction between power and the authorization of power. Previous lectures have focused on power and authority.
-
[45:07] Political parties control the delegates.
-
[46:34] George Washington talked about the dangers of political parties. Like-minded people get together.
-
[50:21] Political parties control the primary process. The rules vary from state to state.
-
[51:09] Mike talks about the pitfalls of empowering the political parties too much.