Biblical Concepts on the Role of Government
Synthesis Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview
The purpose of this assignment is to begin to synthesize the various worldviews with the formation of policy and governmental function, with a specific focus on the Biblical worldview. Please address all four areas in four separate sections.
Instructions
Four Sections to be addressed:
- Explain the following Biblical concepts and describe how each 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
- Provide one specific federal policy and apply the Biblical principles from section one, explaining how they would be helpful for understanding the government’s approach to the issue. It is not necessary to use all the Biblical Principles, just those that are most applicable to the policy being discussed.
- Provide an overview of the key enumerated powers in the Constitution relevant for what each branch of government may and may not do. Make sure to discuss all three branches of government and how they are supposed to work together to form a functional government.
- 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. Make sure to give a brief synopsis of the tenets of each of the worldviews.
* All required sources/presentations from Module 1: Week 1 and Module 2: Week 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.
You are expected to submit a 3-5-page paper (not including the title page, abstract, and reference page) in current APA format addressing the four separate content areas. It is strongly recommended that you use headings and subheadings for this paper. You must include citations from:
- all the required reading and presentations from the assigned module/week
- all relevant sources from Module 1: Week 1 and Module 2: Week 2 (you MUST use the "Biblical Principles of Government" article), and 3–5 outside sources.
NOTE: These sources should be focused on the problem and the piece of legislation, and you may find that you need more than just 3-5 sources to adequately research and discuss these items.
- Please feel free to use the link provided in the assignment resources for the purposes of additional research.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Synthesis Paper
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Synthesis Paper
The biblical principles are important, and they were used in forming governments, especially when the Western governments were formed. An example is the United States of American government, that incorporates biblical principles. In God's flawless creation, Monsma claims that "even if sin had never entered the world, some form of government would have been necessary" (Monsma, 2008). It would have been governed differently, of course, but as the generations went on, a government would have become necessary. Important ideas that define the function of government are outlined in the Bible. The ideas, therefore, are having to make a distinction between sin and crime, inalienable rights, understanding the separation between church and state, and lastly, natural laws. In matters of the relationship between Christians and the government, the Bible stipulates how it should be. In 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 13 and 14, it reads, "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the sake of the Lord, whether to governors, as to those who he sends for the praise of those who do good, or to the king as supreme" (1 Peter 2:13–14, NKJV).
Biblical Concepts
Rights Inalienable. In the Bible, it is clear that God created man. The man was later given basic rights to guide and direct him through living on earth. Further, the book of Genesis states that we humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore, God placed man to rule earth on his behalf. There are inalienable rights that cannot be retransferred or withdrawn from humans, and God gave them to man, making