Pastoral Restoration of Biblical Civil Wisdom
Specially prepared for PPN Pastor’s breakfast In support of Cumberland County Chapter of
ACTION of PA April 4, 2013 Carlisle, PA
By Dr. Jim Arcieri
Common question asked of C.S. Lewis by students and
colleagues:
“Can’t you lead a good life without believing in
Christianity?”
“Can’t you lead a good life
without believing
in Christianity?”
INDIVIDUALS As Trees
DEFINING REALITY
TRUNK: Atti tudes
FRUIT: Acti ons
ROOTS: Assumpti ons
DEFINING REALITY: CULTURES AS TRIANGLES World View Categories
LEGALITY(Fruit)
MORALITY(Trunk)
THEOLOGY(Roots)
INTERNAL &
INDIVIDUAL
EXTERNAL
& CIVIL
IS
OUGHT
PERMIT
LEGALITY
MORALITY
THEOLOGYREAL? TRUE?
Who & Why
Right & Wrong
How, Where, When
Good?
Do?PERMITINTERNAL &
INDIVIDUAL
EXTERNAL
& CIVIL
OUGHT
IS
QUESTIONS that form a WORLDVIEW
TA X E S
DEFINING REALITY:Three major world views and
their cultural expressions• PRE-MODERN ERA: Ancient times to ~1800
• MODERN ERA: ~1700 – 1950
• POST – MODERN ERA: 1950 - Present
DEFINING REALITYPRE-MODERN ERA: Ancient times to ~1800
LEGALITY* & /
MORALITY – A. B. C.
THEOLOGY - 1. 2. 3.
RELIGION / REVELATION
IS
OUGHT
PERMIT
REAL? TRUE?
DEFINING REALITY: Pastoral Role in Shaping Civil Culture
• 1620 John Robinson: Mayflower Compact• 1636 Roger Williams: founding Rhode Island• 1639 Thomas Hooker: founding Connecticut, writing its
first constitution (Fundamental Orders)
• 1641 Nathaniel Ward: wrote Massachusetts Body of Liberties• 1681 William Penn: wrote Frame of Government of PA• 1717 John Wise: Law of Nature and Government: sections
appear word for word in DOI• 1744 Elisha Williams: Essential Liberties of Protestants – rights
of equality, liberty, property –widely read & used• 1755 Samuel Davies: master of civil law – Patrick Henry• 1768 John Witherspoon: Princeton President; DOI signer
What is Good?
What is Done?What is Real?
Ultimate Reference
Point(Ontology) Metaphysics
Beliefs(Epistemology)
Physics
Values(Axiology)
Ethics
Behavior
What historical factors created American liberty?
CONSTITUTION
D. O. I.
BIBLE
THE GREAT AWAKENING
NEW LIGHT COLLEGES
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Worldview Categories, Questions, and Building BlocksWhat is True?
COLONIAL
SERMONS
(Teleology) Civics
Theology roots
IS
Morality trunk
OUGHT PERMIT
Legalityfruit
ESSENTINAL CATEGORIES OF A
WORLD VIEWInternal ->External
Personal -> CivilTA X E S
Colonial Clergy Biblical Worldview
Dominion Mandate
Civics: Business,
Law, Justice,
International relations
Sciences: Natural: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography,
Social: Education, Economics, Government, Behavioral: Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology
Humanities:History, Arts,
Music, Literature, Philosophy
Ecclesiastics:Devotional – Prayer, Bible reading, emotions,
faith, love Ecclesiastical – Church, evangelism, missions,
theology, fellowshipMoral: Ethics, relationships
Monarchy
ISLAM CHRISTIANITY
HUMANISM ANIMISM
Tran
scen
denc
e –
TRU
TH -P
rinci
ples
Immanence – GRACE-Involvement HighLow/Low
Theology - Anthropology & Political - Historical MatrixHigh
External InternalPoverty Prosperity
Self-Government
Constitutional RepublicDictatorship
Tyranny Anarchy
Sinner - Law
Steward - Liberty
ChristiansProvidential
Moralists
Deists
Special
Revelation
Gen
eral
Revelation
1787 - 1897CT: FIXED
Pre-modern
Mystics
LEX --------REXREX
------LEX
DEFINING REALITY MODERN ERA: ~1700 - 1950
LEGALITY~ ; \
MORALITY – D. E. F.
THEOLOGY - 4. 5. 6.
Morality A.B.C.
Legality * & /
Theology 1.2.3.
SCIENCE
IS
OUGHT
PERMIT
What is Real?
Ultimate Reference
Point(Ontology)
Metaphysics
What is Good?
Values(Axiology)
Ethics
What is Done?
Behavior
What created the DEPARTURE FROM AMERICAN LIBERTY?
Expanding Bureaucratic control
PROGRESS
Origin Of Species; Das Kapital;
E = MC2
The Great Acceptance
STATE SCHOOLS
& COLLEGES
PROGRESSIVE “REVOLUTION”
Worldview Questions, Categories, and Building Blocks
Beliefs(Epistemology)
Physics
What is True?
HUMANIST
MANIFESTOS
(Teleology) Civics
Legality-PERMIT
Theology
IS
Morality
OUGHTTAXES
Monarchy
ISLAM CHRISTIANITY
HUMANISM ANIMISM
Tran
scen
denc
e –
TRU
TH -P
rinci
ples
Immanence – GRACE-Involvement HighWeak/Low
Theology - Anthropology & Political - Historical MatrixHigh
External InternalPoverty Prosperity
Self-Government
Constitutional RepublicDictatorship
Tyranny Anarchy
Sinner - Law
Steward - Liberty
ChristiansProvidential
Moralists
Deists
Special
Revelation
Gen
eral
Revelation
Scien
tific
Revelation
1787 - 1897CT: FIXED
Pre-modern
1897 - 1967CT: LIVING
Modern
Mystics
REX------LEX
LEX --------REX
O P P O S I T I O N :
S c i e n ti fi c
U t o p i a
“Evangelical Dualism”
GODSPIRITUAL: FAITHDevotional – prayer, Bible study, Emotions, Psychology, love Ecclesiastical – church, evangelism, missions, theology, fellowship
prophecy: Jesus’ pre-tribulational, pre-millennial returnMoral: ethics, relationships
SECULAR: FACTSBiologyChemistryGeographyEducation GovernmentEconomicsAnthropologyPsychology
SociologyHistoryLiteraturePhilosophyBusinessLawMediaArtsAuthority &Justice
SUNDAYS
WEEKDAYS
MAN
GRACE
NATURE
D E F I N I N G R E A L I T Y :
DEFINING REALITY POST – MODERN ERA: 1950 - PresentL
EGALITY$ @ #
MORALITY – G. H. I.
THEOLOGY - 7. 8. 9.
Theology 1.2.3.
Morality A.B.C.
Legality * &
/
INDIVIDUAL CREATION
Theology 4.5.6.
Morality D.E.F.
Lega
lity
~; \
IS
OUGHT
PERMIT
Monarchy
ISLAM CHRISTIANITY
HUMANISM ANIMISM
Tran
scen
denc
e –
TRU
TH -P
rinci
ples
Immanence – GRACE-Involvement HighWeak/Low
Theology - Anthropology & Political - Historical MatrixHigh
External InternalPoverty Prosperity
Self-Government
Constitutional RepublicDictatorship
Tyranny Anarchy
Sinner - Law
Steward - Liberty
Christians
Scien
tific
Revelation
Individ
ual
Revelation
1787 - 1897CT: FIXED
Pre-modern
1897 - 1967CT: LIVING
Modern
1967 - 2013CT: USELESSPost - Modern
MysticsNAEMM AFA
CCLEGALITY
LEX --------REX
O P P O S I T I O N
( S c i e n ti fi c
U t o p i a ) REX------LEX
P E R S E C U T I O N :
R u l i n g C l a s s E l i t e
“Would you be my neighbor?” What is the center of this cycle?
Nice school
Nice Neighborhood
Nice Income
SYNCRETISM
Nice college
G.A.D.
How To Change The Culture?
LEGALITY
MORALITY
THEOLOGY
• Repent of our idolatry:–Distraction of G.A.D.
• Recognize our mistaken view of Gods’ world: Dualism
IS
OUGHT
PERMIT
Define REALITY biblically
Cultural Commission– Restoring Creation
• Knowledge business
– Common Grace• Truth preaching
– Build up society• Discipleship in Civil
Jurisdiction
The Two Commissions
Great Commission– Redeeming Souls
• Belief Business
– Saving Grace• Gospel Preaching
– Build up church• Discipleship in first three
jurisdictions
How To Change The Culture?• Repent of our idolatry:
– Distraction of G.A.D.
• Recognize our mistaken view of Gods’ world:– Dualism
• Re-establish the Biblical view of the Nature And Purpose Of Government
– To whom does this world belong? – Does God speak to all areas of life, or just a few?– Are we to speak to all areas of life, or just a few?
Define REALITY biblically
Seven Pillars of Biblical Civil Wisdom“A Frequent Recurrence to First Principles”
• TRUTH: Revelation vs. Imagination • DOMINION: Stewardship vs. Ownership; [Esc]
• JURISDICTION: Spheres of-God vs. Caesar• REPRESENTATION: Const. Republic vs. Rex>Lex• HISTORY: Ideas, Individuals vs. Inexorable Laws
• EDUCATION: Useful Knowledge vs. Functional• INTEGRITY: Mature character vs. Careerism
How To Change The Culture?• Repent of our idolatry:
– Distraction of G.A.D.
• Recognize our mistaken view of Gods’ world:– Dualism
• Re-establish the Biblical view of the Nature And Purpose Of Government (Founders): To whom does this world belong? Does God speak to all
areas of life, or just a few? Are we to speak to all areas of life, or just a few?
• Re-emphasize the crucial role of the pulpit in shaping the civil sphere of life
Define REALITY biblically
Monarchy
ISLAM CHRISTIANITY
HUMANISM ANIMISM
Tran
scen
denc
e –
TRU
TH -P
rinci
ples
Immanence – GRACE-Involvement HighWeak/Low
Theology - Anthropology & Political - Historical MatrixHigh
External InternalPoverty Prosperity
Self-Government
Constitutional RepublicDictatorship
Tyranny Anarchy
Sinner - Law
Steward - Liberty
Christians
Scien
tific
Revelation
Individ
ual
Revelation
1787 - 1897CT: FIXED
Pre-modern
1897 - 1967CT: LIVING
Modern
1967 - 2013CT: USELESSPost - Modern
Mystics
P E R S E C U T I O N :
R u l i n g C l a s s
E l i t e
O P P O S I T I O N :
S c i e n ti fi c U t o p i a
AFANAE
PPN
SEASON
AGESEASONS OF LIFE
Main Activity and Sphere of Influence
PROTECTION60 – 80 years old
STUDY BUSINESS
HOSPIT-ALITY
CIVIC LEADERSHIPLocal, State, Federal Government
PROVISION40 – 60 years old
STUDY BUSINESS
HOSPITALITYChurch (Elder, Deacon)Church Government
CIVIC DUTIES
PRODUCTION20 – 40 years old
STUDY BUSINESS AND BABIES HouseholdFamily Government
HOSPITALITY CIVICDUTIES
PREPARATION0 – 20 years old
STUDY IndividualSelf-Government
BUSINESS AND BABIES
HOSPITALITY CIVICDUTIES
BIBLCAL WISDOM
Proverbs 24:3-7
Common question asked of C.S. Lewis by students and colleagues:
“Can’t you lead a good life without believing in Christianity?”
“Can’t you lead a good life
without believing
in Christianity?”
Pastoral Restoration of Biblical Civil WisdomSpecially prepared for PPN Pastor’s breakfast
In support of Cumberland County Chapter of ACTION of PA
April 4, 2013 Carlisle, PABy Dr. Jim Arcieri
Thank you for attending!