Week 11 – Gov.
Objectives: Contrast the political beliefs of the ancient world and the medieval world. Describe the Christian medieval view of politics and those who contributed to it. Analyze the effect of Calvinism on politics.
- Read, “And Babylons Fall” from Angels in the Architecture
- Read “Calvinism and Politics”
- What does Kuyper describe as the dominating principle of Calvinism?
- How did sin bring the need for political rulers?
- Describe the three political thesis of Kuyper.
- What’s the difference between the French Revolution and other “Calvinistic” revolutions?
- What is the “three-fold meaning of the sword” which is used by the government?
- Essay: Describe what the U.S. would look like if the national and state governments were in submission to God. What would the role of the Church be in this situation? What actions can churches, families, and individuals take in their local areas to preserve liberty in the present?
- The specifications are the same as they were for the first essay, except this one must be at least 2,000 words. It is due at the end of week 15.
- Questions for the week:
- How is Christianity anti-statist? Who were leaders in developing a Christian model of statehood?
- How were the medieval Christians “not embarrassed by Christ?”
- What are the benefits of God’s law? How does it constrain political leaders? What is the relation of God’s law to love?
- What are the duties of magistrates towards God, towards the church, and towards the individual?
- What distinguishes Calvinistic politics from Roman Catholic and Lutheran politics?