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Pump Primer. Chapter 3. American Government. In your own words, explain the phrase ‘separation of church and state’. Chapter 3: Christianity, the Church, and Government. Biblical Integration. Chapter 3. American Government.
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Pump Primer Chapter 3 American Government • In your own words, explain the phrase ‘separation of church and state’.
Biblical Integration Chapter 3 American Government • Believers through God's strength and grace can have an impact on society. (Matt. 5:13; 28: 19-20)
Chapter 3 American Government Learning Objectives: • Trace the role that religion has played in providing society with a unified moral understanding • Evaluate different approaches to Christian involvement in the public square. • Construct a Christian response to a particular manifestation of pluralism in American society. 3-1: • Construct a timeline that identifies the key events in this section and explains why they are significant • Explain the significance of John Locke’s view of religious toleration. • Assess the impact of pluralism on modern society. 3-2: • Defend a biblical view of the relationship between church and state against a contrary viewpoint. • Defend a biblical view of Christian reasoning in the public square. • Demonstrate a Christian response to secularism by constructing a biblical evaluation of censorship.
pp. 35 Chapter 3 American Government • Jesus and Constantine • Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ended in 313 with the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine. • Questions arose regarding Christians and various aspects of government • Should Christian rulers conduct offensive war? • How should they treat other religions? • What role should government play in the church, or should hesubmit to the church leaders? • How can the state develop just laws?
pp. 35-37 Chapter 3 American Government • The Reformation • Shattered the illusion of religious unity in Europe. • Allowed each ruler to choose the religions of practice in their state • Destabilization and war • Protestants vs. Catholics
pp. 36 Chapter 3 American Government • John Locke • Natural law - all people have a conscience and recognize the laws built into nature
pp. 36 Chapter 3 American Government • Early America • Guarantees to worship as people saw fit • Locke’s arguments for religious toleration were readily received • First Amendment (Establishment Clause)
pp. 36-37 Chapter 3 American Government • The Rise of Pluralism • Second Great Awakening • Historians differ regarding the exact time frame • First appearance – Massachusetts in 1734 • Voice for Christ shook America • British Evangelist, George Whitefield, motivated others to reach the lost across America. • Post-Civil War immigration • The secular argument
pp. 37 Chapter 3 American Government • The Rise of Pluralism • Post-Civil War immigration • Brought different religious & ethnic groups together • English, German, Dutch, Scottish, and Scotch-Irish found common ground in Christian missions & heritage. • The secular argument • Humanists and secularist were pushing for a broader interpretation of the establishment clause • Mandated strict separation between religion and government.
Pluralism p. 37 Chapter 3 American Government a characteristic of society in which multiple religious groups with different views of right and wrong all live together
pp. 37 Chapter 3 American Government How does society answer moral questions? What is the definition of morality? What is the relationship of church and state?
pp. 37-44 Chapter 3 American Government • Absolute Separation of Church and State • Secularist viewpoint • No religion in public life • If a person opposes abortion for religious reasons, his arguments can be safely ignored.
pp. 39 Chapter 3 American Government • State over Church • Absolute separation of church and state can result in a situation whereby the state rules over the church (Byzantine Empire) • Morality? • Every government makes decisions based on a particular view of morality.
pp. 39 Chapter 3 American Government There is no neutrality on the big moral issues. If a government chooses an unbiblical moral stance, conflict with the church will be inevitable.
pp. 39 Chapter 3 American Government • Church over State • Some believe the solution is to place the church over the state. • Example: Roman Church in the Middle Ages
pp. 40 Chapter 3 American Government • Distinction and Influence • Can Christians accept the secular approach? • The Bible speaks to all of life, not just private religious matters • Legislation is based on a moral position
pp. 40 Chapter 3 American Government The ideal relationship between church and state would preserve the institutions’ distinct functions while giving Christians a significant moral influence on the nation.
pp. 42 Chapter 3 American Government • Christian Reasoning in the Public Square • Natural-law arguments are not invalid; they simply do not go far enough • Theonomy (the·on·o·my): Christian Reconstructionism • Believe OT law still applies today unless the NT explicitly states otherwise • Theological problems: • NT Christians are not bound by all the laws of the Mosaic Covenant, they are under the New Covenant (Rom. 7:4-6; Cor 9:21; 2 Cor. 3:3)
pp. 42 Chapter 3 American Government The correct biblical position rejects the natural-law approach as well as the theonomic approach and applies Scripture to current situations.
pp. 43 Chapter 3 American Government • Scripture Applied to Political Situations • We must apply Scripture to solve issues that arise in the public square • No country can constantly live contrary to the laws of God and escape His wrath.
pp. 43 Chapter 3 American Government • Addressing the Problem of Pluralism • Biggest problem facing Christians in the public square • Culture wars • Worldview differences - Moral decisions always affect other people
pp. 43 Chapter 3 American Government • Go and Do • Christians must understand the political process • Christians must not be naive • Christians must be witnesses to unbelievers • The gospel is the only ultimate solution • The kingdom of Christ will endure when all othr empires have crumbled to dust.
pp. 43 Chapter 3 American Government Works Cited Separation of Church and State . YouTube.com. 10 Dec 2009. Web. 20 Aug 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Hy306pGmU