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16 Nov 2022
Civil Government and Its Limits
01:02:44
Government does have a proper role, but it also needs to have limits. We’ve already established that the government can use force to make people do things, which can make the government dangerous when not limited by proper roles. Requiring force can even be a test of proper government roles.
Mike Winther dives into the civil government, its proper roles, and proper limits.
This lecture was given July 19th, 2011 as part of an IPS Government and Economics Conference hosted in Modesto, California. This conference was intended for Christian educators.
You’ll Learn:
[01:23] Is this the proper role of the government? Do you have to force people to do this thing?
[02:37] Government limits private parties from gambling and yet they promote a lottery.
[04:17] Because there is force as part of the government that makes it dangerous. This is why we need to contain it.
[05:50] Teaching government is like teaching nuclear engineers to contain a reaction.
[07:23] Our founding fathers had a mindset about what the proper role of government was before they created the Constitution.
[09:05] Identifying the proper roles of government. We have two kinds of action: individual and collective.
[12:09] The Ten Commandments. Do they apply to us collectively? The collective application of God's commands. What we are prohibited from doing as individuals we are also prohibited from doing as a group.
[20:44] Governments are collectives. The Constitution has enumerated powers for government.
[21:25] The Bible should be our source of authority for civil government, family government, and church government.
[26:10] There's general revelation and special revelation directly communicated to patriarchs. These shouldn't contradict each other.
[28:12] There hasn't been a lot of scholarship on biblical principles in government in the last 200 years.
[29:32] Biblical exceptions in the government need to be specified. We need to know what the Bible says about the proper role of government.
[33:52] Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The two greatest commandments.
[37:58] Application of the case law is not the law itself.
[39:33] How we practically limit government. Should every wrong action be illegal?
[43:52] 1. We need a proper understanding of authority and source. 2. Have a proper understanding of rights. 3. Limited government by the use of law.
[48:39] 4. Institutional separation of powers. Powers are separated by the three ordained institutions.
[50:57] 5. We limit government by the vertical separation of powers. That would be the separation of federal, local, and state government.
[51:44] 6. The horizontal separation of powers. The separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers of government.
[52:04] 7. Limit the fuel of the government. If you limit the fuel, you limit the size of the fire. Income tax gives the government far too much revenue.
[55:06] Dependence is another fuel for the government.
This is a live interview with Mike Winther and Pastor Michael Douglass and Elaine Harland of Lighthouse Live. As the Founder of IPS, Mike breaks down who we are and what we stand for.
IPS is a Christian think tank with the main objective of doing research on basic Christian principles and then to teach those principles through our church community.
The focus of our teachings is on government, economics, and history. These principles are shared through students, teachers, pastors, Sunday School classes, and more.
You’ll Learn:
[01:21] We teach to the community through students, teachers, pastors, Sunday School classes, and more.
[01:27] IPS focuses on principles of government, economics, and history.
[01:35] We've discovered that the modern-day church has very little understanding of the biblical principles related to how we govern ourselves, history, and economics.
[02:39] God has ordained three institutions: the family, the church, and the civil government.
[04:17] There are biblical principles for how the government should operate.
[04:41] Our founding fathers wanted the three separate institutions. They did not want to separate the State from God. They believe that all authority was derived from Biblical scriptural principles.
[05:53] When there's a problem, the first thing we should ask in God's economy is which institution should we appeal to?
[07:36] Most of us know that the government is inefficient, but we don't understand the principles behind that. It's because God's principles are being violated.
[08:24] We have a natural tendency to slide away from where we ought to be.
[08:47] If you go back and read what the teachers and pastors who trained our founding fathers wrote, it's an eye-opening experience.
[09:17] The Puritan pulpit was in manuscript form from the scriptures. These sermons have withstood the test of time.
[10:16] Pastors weren't afraid to comment on the political issues of the day and applied biblical principles.
[10:33] Our founding fathers grew up under the teachings of these Puritan pulpits.
[10:59] By the 1820s, a lot of these principles were disappearing from our schools.
[11:18] IPS is searching out these principles, and that's part of the research that we do.
[11:50] It's our hope that God will do a great and mighty work in recapturing these principles.
[12:32] Jefferson and the Danbury Baptists.
[15:40] We talk about the difference between a valid patriotism and an invalid patriotism.
[17:24] The role of charity and what God has to say about it biblically. We should work if we're able. The family should be the first safety net. If the family can't do it, it's the church's job.
[20:19] The church is more passive when it should be active. When it comes to charity, we've become passive.
[21:51] The church needs to compete with the government to take back what is ours.
[23:56] If we were meeting the needs of charity as the body of Christ, the government wouldn't need to come in.
[24:37] Why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Ezekiel 16:49. The sin was not meeting the needs of the poor.
[26:43] If we are saved by God's grace, what are we safe from? We are safe from God's Wrath.
[28:32] Church should be what's happening outside of the walls. In Acts, believers went out and spread the word to everybody.
[29:55] If we could go back to a situation where the church met the needs of the poor, our tax burden would drop by 75%.
This is the second part of a series by Mike Winther entitled Transforming a Nation. It was given at Central Valley Presbyterian Church on May 1st 2016. As we deal with the issues of our civil society or the areas of government, the world has a lot of tools to deceive us. We are more deceived than we think, and sometimes we don't even know when we are misled.
Part of the mission of IPS is to figure out what the truth is and how to apply it. Mike talks about how we can be more discerning and better citizens. In part one, Mike spoke about how the government falls short. These lectures should be a launching point to help you know more about the proper role of government. This lecture dives into strategies for transforming the nation from education, being discerning, and investing in a long-term approach.
You’ll Learn:
[05:40] Last time we talked about why we lose elections. We can't really be trusted to vote if we don't know what good government looks like.
[07:08] How do we train our children to know the whole truth when we don't know ourselves?
[09:30] In debates, candidates tell us what they think we want to hear. It might be a better idea to research their voting record.
[12:53] We need to be wary of new media that gradually persuade us to be big government. We need to be discerning about our media and candidates.
[14:37] We want gain without pain. How much sacrifice would we make and energy would we expend to change the culture?
[15:01] Myth #1 It doesn't matter if I vote. It's a myth that we can't make a difference.
[16:52] God is a covenant God. If you obey His commands He will do these things for you.
[17:42] We confuse the decreed will of God with the preceptive will of God.
[20:55] Myth #2 is that we are out of time. Don't get sucked into the idea that only the next election matters. Energy needs to go into changing hearts and minds 10 or 15 years down the road.
[22:39] Myth #3 I don't care about his or her personal life, only their public performance. Romans 13
[24:21] Myth #4 The president is the most powerful person in the world. Not according to the Constitution.
[27:34] Myth #5 A good president will fix things.
[28:08] Myth #6 A bad president will destroy America.
[28:32] Myth #7 I have to vote for the lesser of two evils.
[31:12] Does God expect us to determine the outcome of the presidency? God wants us to be faithful in the means not the outcome.
[34:28] When you vote ask yourself if you can check that box in good conscience with the Lord.
[35:12] 1. We need to learn and study what actually is a good government. 2. We need to teach things. We need to share what we've learned with others.
[37:39] 3. Don't support our opposition. Don't support your opponents with time and money. Be aware of what organizations, unions, and media actually stand for.
[41:07] 4. We need to make sure that we're using our money for the best use possible. Commit your tithing to the church.
[42:58] Political parties. By focusing on two parties, we get rid of all ideas except for these two sets of ideas.
[49:47] Transformation doesn't begin in the White House. It begins in our house.
Mike Winther kicks this show off with the 3 P’s of property, principal, and practicality from a lecture of the same name. He starts out talking about property and how the study of economics relates to it. He talks about capital as a means of production and as excess production or profit. He goes on to discuss the definition of property and capital.
Economics is a study of how we use capital and who owns it. He then discusses why it’s so important to have good government policy, because changing policy towards property can change the whole economy. He also talks about capitalism and socialism and why it’s so important for us to be educated and aware about economics, government, and policy.
You’ll Learn:
[01:10] The study of economics relates to property. The first definition of capital is means of production. The second definition is excess production.
[02:30] Capital items help you live better and produce more. Capital is defined as means of production or excess production.
[03:48] A company needs profit to invest in new equipment.
[04:39] All capital items are property. Someone owns them.
[06:19] Changing government policy towards property can totally change the economy.
[07:07] The two schools of economics are capitalism and socialism. The difference is how we handle ownership and control capital.
[08:44] Free market capitalism has private ownership and control of capital.
[09:08] Socialism has public or government control or ownership.
[16:47] The tests of ownership include having titles and formal ownership, the right or ability to control the use, and the right to dispose.
[19:17] As a nation moves closer to socialism, these things become more infringed upon.
[25:47] Economics is a social and mathematical science. Mike also talks about the difference between a utilitarian and a principled approach.
[31:10] To have an ethical standard you need an external standard to judge it by. Mike would argue for the Bible, the word of God, and the Creator of the universe.
[37:00] There are consequences for violating truth principles and ethical standards.
[37:52] Mike talks about taxes and how some tax revenue is needed. Tax is taken away involuntarily. There are problems with taxation and private property.
[39:05] Things that would be nice to have in a tax system are privacy, efficiency, fairness, and encouraging production.
[43:07] Mike evaluates taxation based on these standards.
[43:55] Income and flat tax are low privacy. Sales tax is high privacy. Head tax is also a high priority.
[46:34] Income tax isn't efficient. Flat tax is a little better. Sales and head tax is a little better.
[48:18] Mike talks about the fairness of different forms of taxes.
[51:37] Income tax is a disincentive for production.
[55:34] Will a sales tax hurt business? Manipulating the demand side of economics.
[58:55] If there was a national sales tax, it should be tied to the abolition of income tax.
[01:01:10] Prior to 1913, our federal government was funded with no income tax and no sales tax.
Mike Winther exposes revisionist history in clips from a series of lectures he’s given on government, economics, and biblical principles. He kicks things off starting with Upton Sinclair’s, The Jungle, and how most of it was disproven, and how Sinclair even admitted to not visiting the factories written about in the book. He shares some opposing views from the book, The Myth of the Robber Barons.
He also talks about the cost and inefficiencies of government funded projects like the railroads. He dives into how the nation was divided on the role of the government as our nation headed into the civil war. He also shares some interesting things about President Lincoln. He also shares books and resources to further look into our past with information that isn’t reflected in the mainstream today.
You’ll Learn:
[41] The Bible is history, and it's key to understanding the principles of government and economics.
[03:42] We are repeating the past and that's because we don't know history.
[04:05] Throughout the Bible we're told to rehearse history and the great deeds of God.
[05:17] How we study history matters. There are six different paradigms of History.
[05:51] The first three are non biblical views of History. The last three are Christian views of History.
[05:50] The random events view is where history is just random events.
[06:29] The second one is the pendulum or cyclical view or controlled randomness.
[07:14] The third view is the evolutionary progress view.
[08:09] The Christian views are the providential views.
[08:39] The providential view holds God's involvement.
[10:12] The providential defeatist view is where history has a purpose and God intervenes. The providential neutralist view is where God intervenes, but history and society is trending neutral. The providential restoration view is where God is restoring and redeeming his creation.
[14:05] Those who will not read have no advantage over those who cannot read. Read good books when you can.
[16:50] How to best teach history to kids. Important dates include 1492, 1517, 1607, 1620, 1776, 1787, 1860, and 1913.
[22:23] Christ sits at the right hand of the father while his troops are in battle.
[27:33] Mike talks about how the pilgrims ended up settling in Northern Massachusetts.
[30:04] The starving time for new pilgrims landing in Massachusetts according to William Bradford.
[32:19] The story of Squanto who became one of the greatest allies for the pilgrims.
[34:02] Mike talks about the church built by the pilgrims and putting justice ahead of protecting their own kind.
[34:35] How we ended up having the first Thanksgiving. Individual property rights led to better productivity.
[37:19] Capitalism led to a bountiful harvest.
[39:10] How there can be different views of history.
[42:53] General George Washington was praying in the woods before battle.
[44:50] God's providence and the story about George Washington being bulletproof.
[51:44] The battle of the heroes. Abraham Lincoln is many people's hero, yet history leaves out some of the negative things that he did. Including suspending habeas corpus.
[56:14] The Civil War was complex and was about many things including slavery.
[01:00:02] Try to find facts and analyze the data and avoid biases.
[01:00:39] Most of the claims in Upton Sinclair's the jungle were discredited. The Myth Of The Robber Barons, is a great explanation of industrialism in early America.
Five Principles of Good Public Policy: Lessons From the Great Financial Crisis
00:53:45
Mike wrote an article about the five principles that were violated by the financial bailouts that happened around 2009. He realized that these five principles also apply in government. He's hopeful that these five principles are things that we can incorporate into conversations with friends and people we interact with to help engage thought processes in conversation. Fixing America is about fixing hearts and minds!
We have a tremendous potential to influence people around us just through casual comments and conversation. In this episode, Mike breaks down the principles and how they apply to us. This lecture was originally given in January of 2009 at the IPS Economics Conference held in Modesto, California. Mike talks about lessons learned from the bailouts that were occurring at the time of the financial crisis.
You’ll Learn:
[02:53] Mike is convinced that the solution to America's problems is to change the hearts and minds of individuals.
[03:28] We have tremendous potential to influence the people around us.
[04:57] People become interested in your opinion when you start asking them questions. Ask what they think.
[07:28] Congress has spent over 700 billion dollars in bailouts and has guaranteed bad debt.
[10:29] These expenditures can only be financed through taxation or inflation and printing paper or digital money.
[12:14] Inflation reduces the power of money.
[13:36] Rising prices are a result of inflation. Increasing the supply of money is inflation. The only way to inflate the money supply without raising prices is if productivity goes up equally.
[16:50] Principle #1 inconsistency. These bailouts violate the principle of inconsistency. Government should treat its citizens equally.
[19:24] If you can't bail out equally, you shouldn't do it at all, because it's not fair.
[20:50] Principle #2 theft. How do we define theft? It's taking something from a rightful owner against their will. Taxpayers don't have the option of consenting to the bailout.
[24:44] Principle #3 Socialism. Anything that redistributes wealth against anybody's will is socialism.
[25:33] Principle #4 Violation of the Constitution. The creation of government is the giving of power. We can grant power through inclusion or exclusion.
[27:52] Our founding fathers knew that the inclusion list was the only effective way to create the Constitution through enumerated powers.
[30:52] 99% of our Congress people violate the constitution weekly and vote for unconstitutional things.
[31:54] The Constitution is no longer revered like it used to be. We need to defend the Constitution.
[32:44] Americans need to learn the principles of good government.
[33:20] Our rights have a divine source. We are endowed with rights that come from the Creator.
[36:53] Principle #5: The triumph of pragmatism over principle. Every decision goes through a process. We should look at the principal issue and call these ethical principles.
[40:16] Pragmatism has important uses, but we should focus on the principal. Does it violate any absolute law or truth?
[41:29] The principled approach isn't always easy, but it's always simpler. With pragmatic decision making we analyze all the pros and all the cons and try to make the best decision. There are false assumptions. Decision makers need to know all of the consequences, which isn't really possible.
[42:39] The law of unintended consequences. A law may fix problem A but will cause problem B, C and D.
[45:09] We need to train people to think in principle terms. If you follow the principled approach, you will receive pragmatic benefits beyond your original intentions.
[47:50] Finding principles. Right and wrong aren't circumstantial. Take out the government and assert yourself in their place and see if it violates any principle.
[50:09] To change America all we have to do is change the viewpoint of half the population.
Mike Winther of the Institute for Principle Studies discusses the concepts of power, authority, and their interplay with rebellion and submission. Drawing from Romans 13 and historical events, he explores when to purify or separate from an imperfect institution.
He outlines the divine origin of authority, contrasting various forms of government and our roles within them. Mike delves into biblical principles regarding submission and authority, using historical examples, including the American and French Revolutions.
This episode provides insight into power dynamics, authority's origins, and our roles within these systems. It's an essential listen for those interested in understanding the biblical principles that underpin authority.
You’ll Learn:
[01:00] As we study the colonial picture in America, there's the idea of rebellion against England. Who was rebelling?
[01:47] You don't have to be a subject to be in rebellion. Kings can be in rebellion to God. The same goes for Congress or senators.
[02:47] What is our role when an institution is less than perfect.
[03:46] Just like the pilgrims, we have to debate whether we want to purify or separate; just like the Separatists and the Puritans did during colonial times.
[04:36] A question for our founders was when do we try to purify and when do we separate? This revolves around submission or rebellion against authority.
[04:48] Romans 13. This chapter is about proper submission to authority.
[07:30] Samuel Adams was one of the first to move from being a Puritan to a Separatist. Is it biblical to rebel against the king?
[10:01] In society, we want the right amount of power with the right amount of authority. All authority comes from God.
[15:13] Family government, civil government, and church government all get their authority from God. The principle of how God delegates authority is the same for all three institutions.
[17:09] Acts chapter 4. Are we required to submit all the time? What if we're told to do something that we're against?
[21:12] Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos: A Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants. Christians should always be under biblical or God's authority.
[23:14] Principle of creating a substitute government before rebeling.
[23:45] The Killing Year in Scotland where they executed one pastor every day for a year.
[25:02] Mike draws a parallel between different forms of government.
[28:26] It's not biblical to think that any human being is outside of authority.
[31:53] The Bible applies to everybody.
[32:50] God's law is the higher authority.
[34:13] Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is why we need accountability. We should be all about submission but not elevate authority that doesn't come from God.
[35:19] Mike talks about the difference between the American Revolution and the French Revolution. The American Revolution still had civil authority. During the French Revolution, many people were executed. It was anarchy which led to tyranny from Napoleon Bonaparte.
Mike Winther gave this lecture at an IPS Economics Conference in January 2009. He makes a case for free market healthcare. Mike talks about the dangers of socialized and government-managed healthcare. He also shares why the free market approach is superior, and principle-based decisions create the best outcomes.
We learn why the government is the problem, not the solution, when it comes to healthcare. Mike gives us a quick refresher on government systems and explains how there are only two systems worldwide with varying degrees of variation. These systems are the free market and socialism.
He also explains why socialism is inefficient and how it reduces productivity and causes poverty. Mike talks about two things you can use for a test to discover socialism. If either one exists, there is some form of socialism. Mike talks about insurance, taxes, regulations, what would make our system better and what we can do to improve things.
You’ll Learn:
[03:49] "The truth is that the problem is the government, not healthcare. All of the current problems in the medical marketplace, hyperinflation, millions of uninsured Americans, and excessive administrative costs all carry a made in Washington label." Edward Annis
[04:19] Government intervention is behind all of our healthcare problems in the medical marketplace.
[04:45] There are only two economic systems in the whole world. They are the free market system and socialism.
[07:01] There are two qualities that identify socialism. 1. Government control of capital. 2. Forces redistribution of wealth. Either of these two qualities are a sign of socialism.
[11:48] Socialism is wrong because it requires forced redistribution of wealth. It's a violation of property rights.
[15:11] On the Practical side socialism is inefficient. It reduces productivity and causes poverty.
[17:21] Does the importance of a service make it less applicable to the laws of supply and demand?
[18:17] The price of any product is based on supply and demand. We can increase or reduce a price by increasing or reducing demand.
[23:32] Freedom of choice of the patient and doctor are reduced with third-party payers. Third-party payers also add expense and bureaucracy.
[26:02] When prices are allowed to float, supply and demand find a balance.
[28:09] There's more poverty when the government redistributes wealth.
[29:48] An increase in the price of medical care created a whole new class of Americans who couldn't afford medical care.
[31:51] Insurance is best when it insures unlikely events.
[36:47] People should cover their own small expenses with health care costs.
[40:31] Government insurance is even less efficient. Things we need to consider include changing our tax law. Tax free employer-paid health insurance is encouraging people to make bad health insurance decisions.
[42:17] Solution #1 get rid of tax incentives. Ensure big events, not small events. #2 Reduce government regulation for medical schools and licensing.
[47:23] Increasing the supply of medical care would also increase the quality.
[47:48] Medicare and Medicaid are government entitlements.
[48:46] We don't even realize the Socialist thinking in our society, because it is so ingrained.
[49:31] These government healthcare programs won't fix the problem, because they mess up the supply and demand.
Good Government, Decentralization, And Using Biblical Principles As A Foundation
01:18:54
Mike Winther talks about biblical principles of government. He breaks down what makes a good government. He talks about centralization versus decentralization. He also discusses the strategy of God versus the strategy of Satan.
This lecture shows just how important it is for people to understand the true principles behind what makes a good government. He also stresses how it’s important for us to teach these principles to the people, so that we can have biblical principles guide our government and leaders in good times and times of unrest.
You’ll Learn:
[01:17] Governments not operating under a biblical foundation.
[01:47] We need to teach the people what a good government looks like.
[02:10] The biblical principle of decentralization. Power can be centralized or decentralized.
[03:10] We can learn about the strategies of God by looking at the qualities of God and the nature of God. God is omniscient and all-knowing. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. These are the three omnis of the nature of God.
[05:19] Insights into the strategy of God versus the strategy of Satan.
[11:59] Human beings who want power will be drawn to government and leadership positions. Unfortunately, we know that power often corrupts.
[12:35] Decentralizing power helps prevent corruption. More governments that are smaller would be a better system.
[19:18] Mike talks about what God and Samuel thought about the ancient Israelites wanting a monarchy.
[26:38] It's idolatry for a king to ask for the same tribute that God received. A Biblical government would never take more than 10%.
[32:28] Samuel Adams talks about rejecting the King of England and putting the real king, which is God, on the throne.
[34:12] Overtime, we've gradually put idols, humans, and politicians back on that throne.
[35:06] We should be nervous about centralization of power and prefer decentralization.
[43:39] What really matters is the truth and what God thinks.
[43:58] Mike talks about end times eschatology. It's the study of last things.
[46:30] An end time's view that the next dispensation will be the rapture and the tribulation. This mindset believes that there is a 7-year tribulation coming.
[49:12] Jesus talks about the tribulation in Matthew.
[54:21] Jesus was talking to his disciples in Matthew. There's a difference between scripture being written for us and scripture being written to us.
[59:09] Mike talks about the first century tribulation theory.
[01:04:10] Mike talks about the new heavens and new earth in Isaiah. It's the time from Jesus's ascension until the second coming.
Mike Winther has devoted the past 17 years to foster a better understanding of the biblical role of government. In this lecture, he talks about why he has devoted his time to this and then dives into the question of whether our banking system makes us slaves.
Some of the things discussed include what economics actually are. Economics are the rules of trade and commerce and really become a part of government. What's true for individuals also needs to be true for the institutions that govern them, yet we give the government powers that we don’t have. He talks about the Federal Reserve and so much more.
You’ll Learn:
[02:00] When Mike was growing up, his family was interested in the government. Mike went to a lot of conferences on government and economics as a kid, and he majored in political science.
[02:28] He also worked in the campaign world hoping to make the world a better place by getting better officials elected.
[02:53] We're losing America, because we're losing the hearts and minds of some Americans. Mike started teaching courses about Christian involvement in the public square. He founded the Institute for Principle Studies in 2005.
[03:59] Economics are the rules by which we engage in trade or commerce. The study of economics is really a study of government. The core question is what is the government's role managing the economy.
[05:01] What's true for individuals also needs to be true for the institutions that govern them. We give the Government powers that the average individual doesn't have.
[06:50] The Federal Reserve isn't actually part of the government. The Federal Reserve Act was passed in 1913. It's a monopoly. People can't participate in banking unless it's part of the Federal Reserve System.
[07:42] The Federal Reserve is a private bank, but the government has some control over some of its directors. It's a hybridization or a mix between public and private.
[08:36] The big debate is free market versus socialism. The argument used for socialism was the Great Depression of 1929.
[09:23] The banking problems of the 1920s were actually caused by the Federal Reserve. The shrinking money supply is what caused the stock market crash.
[11:32] How our banking system makes us slaves. In the old days, currency used to be backed by gold. It was an asset-based currency.
[12:39] The Federal Reserve System was designed to be a money system based on debt not assets.
[13:22] The initial value of our money is based on a Government Bond or debt.
[13:41] Inflation is a hidden tax where money loses value and prices go up.
[20:33] Reasons why people are questioning the Federal Reserve. Ron Paul wanted to audit the Federal Reserve. A system that increases inflation is not a good idea.
[22:31] Social financing should come from tithes, not government programs.
[24:08] Inflation steals from everyone, especially those on fixed incomes.
[29:55] Government and state schools aren't going to live up to biblical principles.
[33:39] Corruption and just printing money. Why the Federal Reserve needs to be repealed.
[39:09] Instead of leaving an inheritance to our children and grandchildren we are leaving vast amounts of debt.
[43:36] Too many distractions prevent us from focusing on the main issues in our society.
[48:00] Mike has hope for the future and he's willing to invest in young people now. People need to be taught how to think. The value of debate is forcing the participants to learn things at a deeper level and think it through.
[53:05] In a debate both sides of the issue need to be studied and understood.
Mike Winther continues his lecture series on the government and economics. He stresses that the best way to understand something is to teach it. By listening to these lectures, reading, and discussing the topics with those around us, we have the ability to influence and change hearts and minds.
This lecture dives into the two economic systems of the free market and socialism. According to Mike, these are the only two economic systems and all other systems are subsets of either of these two systems. By understanding how these systems work and what they represent, we can understand the causes and solutions to poverty.
You’ll Learn:
[01:26] The three stages of learning include the grammar stage, the logic stage, and the rhetoric stage. You can't fully know something well until you can communicate that thing to someone else.
[04:35] Your conversations make a difference. This is a battle of persuading hearts and minds.
[05:32] Economic systems. The free market or the ability of people to buy, sell, or exchange unrestricted by the government so long as it's voluntary exchange.
[07:09] Socialism is where there's either government control of capital or forced redistribution of wealth.
[11:43] Don't confuse economic systems with government systems.
[13:18] Socialism is all about taking away property rights.
[16:01] The free market respects property rights whereas socialism says there's no such thing as property rights. The whole issue of charity is one of property.
[17:36] Two reasons why socialism creates more poverty. Mike demonstrates this with his island example.
[24:04] Mike shares why socialism doesn't work. Once people catch on that everybody gets the same thing, production goes down.
[24:41] Redistribution of wealth causes poverty because of motivational loss and distribution loss.
[26:23] Supply and demand and how it affects prices.
[27:34] Not everybody produces the same amount.
[29:20] Redistribution of wealth is not only unfair, it leads to a huge unproductive bureaucracy.
[30:37] Producing households. Redistributing households. Receiving households. Have repercussions in a socialist designed system. They create a distributional loss.
[32:40] High taxes encourage less productivity. If you want less of something, you get less of it.
[35:26] A 25% reduction in the workforce is a 25% increase in prices. We could cut prices by eliminating the distribution workforce.
[36:26] Mike shares how we could actually cut the real poverty rate.
[37:50] The practical reason why socialism fails is because it actually makes more poor people. Principally, it also violates God's laws.
Mike Winther dives into the pros and cons of government-funded healthcare and how it affects supply, demand, and price. This lecture was given during the Obamacare debate years. He talks about how government and insurance programs have contributed to the escalation of healthcare prices.
Insurance has made people less cautious about how money is spent. He offers solutions for making healthcare affordable and insurance appropriate so that all people can have access to affordable healthcare. This is an interesting debate that is still applicable today.
You’ll Learn:
[00:51] Healthcare economically is no different than any other product or service.
[02:23] A story about losing the argument, because you gave up the foundation.
[05:02] An interview where a prior CEO of NPR wanted people of very little means to stop funding NPR.
[07:17] The debate about whether the government has the right to force people to buy a product was over in 1934 with the introduction of Social Security. The foundation was given away.
[10:57] The cause of high healthcare costs. The price of anything is a relationship between supply and demand. Price can also be forced up by increased demand. The price of healthcare is high because of a mismatch of supply and demand.
[12:52] The average time a doctor spends with a patient has gone down every decade for the last five decades.
[13:49] The data says that we don't have enough doctors. The AMA determines admission rates of medical schools. It appears they are capping the amount of doctors.
[17:47] The easiest way to create larger government programs is to point to a national security threat or poverty. You can't have a solution until you have a problem. Less access to healthcare creates a healthcare problem.
[21:56] Mike shares a chart that explains the effect of supply and demand on price. Reduce supply and the price goes up. The same applies to doctors. Our population has increased faster than the number of doctors has increased.
[23:47] Medicare made healthcare demand go up. So did Medicaid in the 1960s. Government solutions just made the healthcare issue worse.
[25:03] As prices escalated, people needed insurance for more things. A third party payer pays for a service, yet they're not the recipient of the service.
[25:38] When people have health insurance they are not as cautious with how the money is spent.
[26:12] Employer paid insurance is tax-free health insurance.
[27:40] Because of the price increases, the working class poor or people who aren't covered by the other programs need Obamacare.
Insurance only makes sense when you insure for unlikely events.
[30:25] How to control healthcare costs and make it available for the poor. Eliminate the monopoly in medical schools. The supply of doctors would go up, and the medical care prices would go down. Take away the tax discount for employer paid health insurance.
[31:09] If people pay their own health insurance, they will shop around and the cost will go down.
[33:11] The only way overcharging patients is possible is because of the third-party payers. Mike gives the example of the $37 hospital water pitcher.
[36:24] The free market decides who gets what through price.
[40:07] Some of the issues of socialized medicine are discussed. Healthcare allocated by the government committee limits people. Allocating by price enables people to get the care through charity, family, or other means.
The study of economics is often viewed as a battle between two worldviews. Proverbs 11:1 underscores this, stating, "A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight." This verse not only condemns dishonesty but also accentuates the importance of integrity. This theme is a central focus in this lecture by Mike Winther on basic economic principles.
Economics becomes particularly fascinating when viewed in the context of this larger conflict. Mike presents a perspective distinct from the common narratives on energy policy, healthcare, prices, and recession found in the news. The Bible offers solutions to our current economic challenges, and Mike discusses the benefits of understanding and embracing a biblical worldview.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] Proverbs 11:1 The lord abhors dishonest scales. Accurate weights are his delight.
[01:26] We are battling between honest weights and measures and dishonest weights and measures.
[01:47] What if you or someone you knew had the solution to America's healthcare crisis? Would it be important for society to know these solutions?
[02:31] The Bible contains the economic solutions for all of our current problems.
[03:35] Mike talks about why the biblical worldview isn't taught frequently enough from the pulpit.
[07:26] Parents need to be hands on with what their kids are being taught.
[09:52] Economics is an evangelistic field of study. Every academic discipline is a field for evangelism.
[10:59] The invisible hand is God.
[11:53] Economics is really the rules of the house. Economics is the study of property. It's the study of resources.
[15:11] Are money issues moral issues?
[16:54] Microeconomics is the study of economics related to a household or business.
[17:23] Macroeconomics is the study of an entire economy. Economic laws and truths apply in both fields.
[19:43] Mike talks about scarcity and supply and demand.
[20:06] Capital is the key to the study of economics. It's the means of production. It can also be excess production.
[22:53] Excess production is profit.
[23:48] There are two broad economic systems in the world. There's the free market economy or laissez-faire. To be left alone or government hands off.
[24:34] The other economic system is socialism. From each according to his ability to each according to his need. This implies a central pooling of resources.
[25:36] The common pooling of resources is mandatory and forced.
[27:11] Communism is a form of socialism. Karl Marx gives 10 ways on how to bring socialism to a system.
[28:11] Eight of these points have to do with the abolition and infringement of private property.
[31:25] The free market system is the only system compatible with God given rights.
[36:20] Economic schools of thought. Keynesian economics is really socialist economics. It's an economic model of government control.
[37:01] The Austrian School of economics is the purest version of free market economics.
[40:26] Who benefits from economic transactions?
[42:49] Money is a key concept of economics. Money is a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of measurement.
[44:16] The five important qualities of money include having intrinsic value, durability, divisibility, transportability, and scarcity.
[49:57] Mike talks about how inflation is a form of theft.
[52:17] Supply and demand. As prices go up, businesses supply more. A lot of people will buy an affordable product. Where supply and demand meet on the curb is where the price should be.
Is education something that should be mandatory? This question has sparked debate worldwide. A significant issue arises from the fact that people often don't value what they're forced into. Take, for example, the average high school student who is compelled to attend school. Similarly, many college students eagerly await graduation, with their focus not on learning or the educational process but on the obligation to be there.
In contrast, homeschoolers often exhibit a markedly different attitude, approaching education with purpose and intention. This was the central theme of a commencement speech delivered by Mike Winther at a graduation ceremony for homeschoolers. In his address, Mike imparted three pieces of advice that are not only relevant to the graduates but also to a broader audience. His inspiring speech emphasized the importance of avoiding shortcuts, not compromising on values, and never retreating in the face of challenges.
You’ll Learn:
[01:41] There are no shortcuts. No compromise and no retreat.
[02:03] Homeschooling takes a lot of time and expense. Parents of homeschoolers pay taxes for public education, and they pay for homeschool education.
[02:43] There are no shortcuts. If you want the right results, you have to take the long-term course.
[03:10] The most dangerous attack is usually the most subtle attack.
[04:40] Mike shares the story of Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls while under attack.
[06:13] Mike shares reasons why they succeeded in spite of all the many hardships.
[08:33] We'll have to make sacrifices to educate our children in a Godly way.
[09:22] There are no compromises. We compromise way more often than we should.
[09:44] There should be no compromise when it comes to moral principles.
[10:14] The pilgrims founded Harvard University 20 years after they arrived here. The sole purpose was to train pastors and educators to spread the word of God.
[10:50] Today, Harvard is a great bastion of atheism and secularism. Why? Because somebody compromised.
[13:18] By 1805, Unitarians controlled the governing board of Harvard University. With compromise, the institution was given over to non-Christian theology and thought.
[14:36] No retreat.
[15:13] Gates are a defensive weapon.
[16:57] The ultimate threat to homeschooling is going to come from people who appear to be our friends. The biggest reason to compromise is going to be your friends.
[19:14] We need to be discerning and know the truth in everything we do.
[20:19] We need to be careful about the approaches we take and not take shortcuts or compromise God’s will.
Mike Winther talks about limiting government and where the brightline should be. The challenge of the brightline is defining it. Where is that line in the sand that separates two ends of a spectrum when enough is enough? He goes on to share examples, such as the abortion debate. He talks about society, government, and relativism.
Mike tackles the role of government and how Political Science as a discipline is about defining the proper role of government or finding the brightline. He also mentions the period of Judges in the Old Testament as a model for modern government. He talks about justice, not harming others, and doing what you say you’ll do. Mike dives into human rights, having a different civil and military government, and the importance of laws being consistent.
You’ll Learn:
[01:33] A brightline separates each end of a spectrum. It's where you draw the limit. It's where we distinguish one thing from another.
[01:59] The entire abortion debate is about the brightline. Where's the brightline? When does it become murder?
[02:26] The challenge of the study of government is that our society does not like brightlines. Brightlines are confining to us.
[03:05] Human beings would much prefer that there weren't brightlines, and they weren't held accountable for their actions.
[03:26] We prefer relativism or we want the line to be kind of foggy.
[03:50] Government is taught as a relative thing without brightlines.
[05:12] Mike majored in Political Science. Political science comes down to one question and that is what is the proper role of government.
[13:24] The period of the judges in the Old Testament is an excellent model for modern government.
[15:05] Hebrews chapter 11. The Faith Hall of Fame. It's proper for the civil magistrate to raise an army and defend the people when they are attacked.
[18:24] If you want to know the proper role of government, just read back through Judges and see which things were improper according to the civil magistrate.
[22:41] Types of punishment in American and ancient Israel.
[27:00] There are two fundamental principles to how you should live.
[27:32] Justice is doing to others as you would have them do to you or not doing harm to others. It's also doing everything you say you're going to do.
[30:49] Why would Christians go to the court for justice? The church doesn't have the power of the sword to force people to do what is right.
[34:47] Freedom of movement is a human right. Our duty as citizens and Christians is to minister God's word.
[36:31] Matthew 28 says to go out and disciple all of the nations.
[43:10] If we say a right only protects Americans, then God isn't the source of those rights.
[47:17] Why should the military justice system be different from the civil justice system? If we're already using the best system, why would we use a different one?
[51:04] Another question for discussion is if there's a role in government for preventing future crimes? Minority Report movie.
[52:09] If you define the proper things for the government to do, then everything else is improper.
Sometimes people think of history as a boring subject, and it can be when it’s just basic memorization of names, dates, and events. History gets interesting when we move into the logic stage of why something happened.
Mike Winther takes an interesting approach on why certain past events played out the way they did. History can be a powerful teacher. Mike takes us on a journey of why certain historical events happened and the consequences of ideas in American history. This lecture was originally given in June of 2012.
You’ll Learn:
[01:33] History is a powerful teacher.
[03:40] Christians have a greater obligation to history because it is His story.
[06:12] Parts of Joshua and Judges are all about building monuments and helping future generations remember history.
[07:31] The importance of reading, especially scriptures and history. Learning history well makes us less likely to repeat mistakes.
[10:52] Different philosophies of history. Atheists and non-believers view history as random. The providential view of history means it's directed by God.
[12:53] Ideas have consequences and by studying ideas, we can see the consequences of those actions.
[15:19] The dangers of an evolutionary worldview.
[15:39] The idea of how we dealt with the Indians.
[18:13] The story of Squanto and the early pilgrims.
[21:55] A story about a powerful testament of justice from the pilgrims to the Indians.
[23:19] The Geneva Bible said the king had the same laws as everyone else.
[25:16] Pilgrims purchased the land from the Indians.
[26:37] There were 50 years of peace and good relations between the Pilgrims and the Indians.
[27:52] The root determines the fruit.
[28:33] Historical development and principles in America.
[28:53] The Transcontinental Railroad. Government said that this project was so big and expensive it could only be done by the government.
[29:36] Congress passed a law and created the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroad's.
[30:38] Congress also created subsidies for building the railroad. The result was a lot of scandal, kickbacks, and bribes.
[33:18] James Hill, the empire builder, creating a railroad without any subsidies.
[36:53] Market entrepreneurs who got rich by creating a better product. Government entrepreneurs got rich by using government subsidies.
[37:55] The Wright brothers created a successful flight without using government subsidies.
[39:23] Principles and consequences of ideas in education. The contrast between the pilgrims' education and the education of the late 1800s.
[40:17] Private education was the most successful in the world. The Federalist Papers.
[42:06] As public schools became more popular, Americans' reading levels went down. What we are required to do has no value.
[46:28] When is it proper to rebel against the authorities? The king is under God's law.
[49:49] Christians should always be under the authority of all three governments including family, church, and civil.
[54:19] Knowing the proper principles of authority and when to submit and when to rebel.
[55:05] Four examples I gave you were Indians, development, education, and authority or an IDEA. Ideas do have consequences.
In 1913, several important events took place that impacted the US federal government. The Federal Reserve System was created through the Federal Reserve Act. The 16th Amendment was ratified, which authorized the federal government to impose and collect income tax.
The 17th Amendment provided for the direct election of US senators by the citizens of each state. Before this, senators were chosen by the legislature. Mike Winther dives into how the direct election of senators affects us, our country, and the constitution's original intent.
You’ll Learn:
[01:21] How our system was designed originally. Each state gets two senators who are chosen by the legislature for a term of six years. Each Senator gets one vote.
[02:58] The executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. The legislative branch is broken into two subgroups of the house and the Senate.
[03:25] The president is appointed through the electoral college who were chosen by state legislatures. The Senate was appointed by the state legislature. The house was elected by the people. The Supreme Court Justices were appointed.
[04:35] The founding fathers wanted the Senate appointed by the states because that's who they represented. The federal government was created by the state governments.
[05:46] The states wanted control over the federal government by appointing the electors that appointed the executive branch. They also appointed the senators for two levels of veto.
[08:12] The 17th amendment allows the people to elect the senators.
[08:56] There are four reasons why the states wanted this change. 1. There was a lot of inefficiency in the state legislature. 2. Corruption. 3. The blatant use of money. 4. There was a change in the American mindset and a push for democracy.
[12:30] The different forms of government. The four main governments are monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and a republic.
[21:07] Democracy tends to evolve towards oligarchy, and people vote to give more and more power to the government.
[23:39] In a republic, power is determined by the law. The people elected are supposed to enforce the law.
[26:35] Dictators often use anarchy to remove the government and become the ones in charge.
[29:58] The founding fathers intentionally tried to mix the forms of government.
[31:19] By changing how the senate is chosen, we begin to mix the forms of power.
[37:16] Nullification is the constitutional theory that individual states can invalidate federal laws or judicial decisions they deem unconstitutional.
[45:27] The First Bank of the United States and the Second Bank of the United States were previous attempts at creating a Federal Reserve.
[48:02] Mike tells an interesting historical story about how the states taxed the Bank of the United States using force.
[51:45] The ultimate interpreter of the constitution was intended to be the states.
[52:43] The constitution allows appropriation of funds for the Navy but limits appropriation of funds for the Army.
This is part 2 of a lecture by Mike Winther talking about foreign aid from a biblical perspective as it applies to debate and analyzing different sides. He talks about concern for the poor and how to help them. Mike discusses two reasons why people are poor. It’s either from some type of disability or bad government. Lack of liberty keeps people poor.
Mike talks about the advantages of small government, incentive to do better, and property rights. It’s important to have a fair court system for disputes. People get poor when voluntary exchange isn’t allowed. Not being able to keep capital makes people poor. Mike talks about how the government makes poverty worse. If you are a fan of property rights, free trade, and rule of law this episode is for you.
You’ll Learn:
[01:20] Many people are concerned with how to take care of the poor. Knowing why people are poor is our chance to fix it. People are poor because of a disability or bad government.
[02:29] Based on our natural resources America should be richer.
[03:28] People are poor because the governments don't give them liberty.
[04:24] America was able to prosper, because it had the smallest government.
[04:51] Property rights need to be recognized in order to prosper.
[05:59] Rule of law or enforcing minimal laws.
[10:09] There's nothing the government can do to fix poverty except to stop doing the wrong things.
[13:24] If we were taxed less, we could help more people. We can take care of the orphan and widow through voluntary means.
[18:47] Mike uses an example of a tropical island and who wants to be rich and poor on the island. He also talks about hiding assets and helping the poor as it pertains to taxes.
[19:37] The island gets an IRS agent, a tax collector, and social worker.
[20:45] Taxing people reduces the incentive to work.
[23:46] Taxation leads to economic loss.
[29:52] Prices go up when there are less goods and services.
[33:17] We can't help the poor enough to make up for a system that causes poverty.
[36:02] Regulations add taxes and decrease productivity. Our spiritual enemy likes poverty and hates productivity.
[39:30] Principle versus practicality. What's right and what works.
[41:18] Public versus private.
[41:57] The source versus the use.
[42:40] Economic systems. The free market versus socialism.
[43:13] Central planning versus laissez-faire.
[45:47] People need the government to let them live a life of liberty where they can do their own planning.
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 of loan bundles led to the ultimate collapse, emphasizing that government control over the economy tends to exaggerate normal economic fluctuations. Mike explains why Keynesian economics exacerbates inflationary periods.
The episode also explores the pitfalls of government banking systems and discusses why these issues should be of concern from a Christian perspective. Mike further analyzes economic principles such as supply and demand before shifting focus to healthcare. He describes how government actions increased demand and how third-party payers escalated spending. We also learn Mike’s solutions to these problems, consistently linking back to a biblical viewpoint.
You’ll Learn:
[00:50] In 2007 and 2008, the price of real estate was escalating rapidly. Interest rates were low and people were refinancing and taking cash out.
[01:44] Whenever there's an economic problem, there's a battle between those who want big government and those who want small government.
[02:01] Dropping interest rates and more people can buy. Rates kept dropping. They were manipulating interest rates or the price of money.
[04:58] In free markets, interest rates go up and down and draw money in and out of banks. It balances the economy.
[08:41] Why were lenders making bad lending decisions? An example.
[14:37] Why 0% interest rates contribute to bad loans.
[16:54] When rates drop, people buy more houses. When people stop buying, the economy begins to slow.
[17:57] When people with high debt were unable to pay their loans, it began a chain reaction.
[18:34] Keynesian economics makes the trenches deeper and the inflationary periods worse.
[20:37] Mike talks about government required reserve ratios for banks and the government taking over banks.
[23:33] Mike breaks down supply and demand and how prices work.
[24:52] If healthcare prices are going up, demand is exceeding supply.
[26:05] How the government limits the supply of doctors in America.
[28:42] We have a scarcity of doctors, and they are working more hours.
[29:30] Medicaid passed in 1967 or 1968. Demand went up and prices increased. Medicare was also passed.
[32:20] When there's a third party payer, we're never as cautious about how we spend the money.
[33:55] Insurance only makes sense, when we insure the unlikely.
[36:34] The number of people hired for ObamaCare was greater than the number of doctors and nurses in America.
[37:33] We need more people to buy their own insurance.
Mike Winther talks about making a difference in your world. This lecture was given in June of 2012 in Colorado. He talks about sanctifying the world the same way we try to sanctify our families. Our families should be a sanctifying influence on society.
This lecture is about how we can make a difference in our world. It’s also about how people in the past have made a difference. First, we talk about whether we can make a difference, our long-term view, the two kingdom view of Christianity, and more biblical insights.
You’ll Learn:
[02:58] A lot of homeschooling families not only want to sanctify their family, but they feel they have a duty to sanctify the world. They want to raise world-changing children.
[03:18] Justification is having your sins atoned for. Sanctification is the process of learning to live and operate in a Christ-like manner. Sanctification is a lifelong process.
[03:58] Our families ought to be a sanctifying influence on society.
[04:51] Parents hope they bring all of their children to Christ, but they may not. They hope their children are a sanctifying influence, but they may not be.
[05:08] Families have an obligation to sanctify the society around them.
[06:43] How William Wilberforce adopted the cause of eradicating the slave trade. He was here for a reason and eventually saw the victory of his cause.
[10:06] How we can make a difference. Can we make a difference? What can we do to purify society?
[12:06] The two kingdom view of Christianity. Christ is the king of the spiritual kingdom, and the physical world is a different kingdom.
[16:03] The biblical view of the role of the church. Matthew 16. The forces of Christ should be on attack not the other way around.
[19:24] Psalm 2 and Psalm 110. No Old Testament passage is quoted more in the New Testament than Psalm 110.
[24:08] In the Old Testament, the role of the kings and the priests were always separate.
[27:31] If we really understand history, we might not think that things are getting worse and worse.
[29:43] How do we actually make a difference in the world? The Bible refers to our children as sharp arrows. Debate sharpens the arrows and makes them powerful communicators.
[30:33] Debate does not aim the arrow. As homeschool parents, we need to be careful that we are pointing in the right direction.
[30:59] 1. Solidify your relationship with Jesus Christ. 2. Study and learn God's word. 3. Study history. 4. Pray for Direction.
[37:33] 5. Have a cause bigger than yourself and help your children have a righteous cause. 6. Educate yourself. 7. Think long-term.
[41:47] Persuasion. It's our job to change hearts and minds. 1. Learn gentleness. 2. Be gradual. 3. Be humble.
[52:16] There are so many causes we can find to sanctify our world. Being a world-changer is one of the most exciting things that we can do.
[53:23] The story of John Knox and Queen Mary. Finding a cause to change the world.
Defining Good Government Through Biblical Principles
00:42:27
Elections are frequently influenced by the media and the electorate's preceding education. As Christians, we should foster a more robust philosophy regarding the appropriate role of government, defined by good governance through biblical principles. Changing hearts and minds is possible through educating others about these principles.
In this lecture, Mike Winther explains the role of good government by utilizing biblical principles as a standard. He discusses the necessity of maintaining certain absolutes within the government structure. Furthermore, Mike explores the three God-ordained roles of government, delineating between the proper and improper functions within these roles.
You’ll Learn:
[03:57] Current elections are determined by previous graduating classes. Campaigns are usually about shifting a small percentage of the population one way or the other.
[05:03] Education is what sways elections. We need to be able to change hearts and minds in America.
[07:01] Both political parties are heading to the wrong end of the spectrum, because of our schools and our media.
[08:02] Christians need to have a better philosophy about what the proper role of government is.
[09:37] Relativism is the belief that there are no absolutes.
[13:35] Do's and Don'ts for church, family, and civil government.
[15:27] The idea of a source of authority. All authority has a source or origin.
[18:23] The idea that the government gets its legitimate authority from our creator or God. If there is no God-given source of authority, the alternative would be the majority.
[19:42] Mike talks about Romans 13.
[22:18] The purpose of an election is to hold officials accountable and to choose people of good character.
[24:02] Mike talks about the three main categories of god-given authority for the civil government.
[27:08] Anything that's not a government power is the rights of the people. The founding fathers were clear about our rights coming from God.
[30:16] Problems arise when rights come from one place and authority comes from another place.
[31:32] We need to advance political thought to a much higher level than before.
[33:58] We don't want to give any human being too much power, so we decentralize power and have checks and balances.
[34:45] The decentralization of power is Plato's playbook.
Mike Winther talks about The American Presidency in this lecture given in June of 2012 in Colorado. Mike explores the oval office based on biblical principles with the thesis of the presidency not really being that important. The office of the president really isn’t that big of a deal, yet in America we make it a big deal.
He talks about how the president gets into office, what the president is supposed to do, and the constitutional duties of the president. Then he talks about mismanagement and good management. He also revisits history and shares a president he considers a hero, and one who is not a hero.
You’ll Learn:
[04:17] The presidency is not that important. 1. The president cannot pass a law. 2. The president cannot support Supreme Court Justices. 3. The president cannot declare war.
[05:10] Media outlets focus on national news and the presidency.
[06:35] Strategically, time would be better spent working on Congressional races.
[06:49] Constitutional perspective of the presidency. We have three branches of government and four bodies of government.
[09:16] Is the president appointed or elected? The electoral college actually appoints the presidency. We choose the slate of electors through popular vote.
[12:42] The US Senate is elected, but originally they were appointed by the state legislature.
[15:39] The Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the president. The president is appointed by the electoral college. We have an appointed body appointing the justices.
[16:47] Government officials most closely represent people who put them in office.
[20:07] We can ascertain the founder's intent by the enumerated or listed powers. Elected officials are held accountable by elections and impeachment.
[21:49] We want the most powerful body to also be the most accountable. The house was supposed to be the most powerful body. The presidency is the second most powerful followed by the senate and the judicial branch.
[27:51] Bills are passed through the senate and the house and the president signs them.
[28:31] The Constitutional role of the president. Mike shares duties and powers listed for the president.
[32:47] Congress can fund wars without voting for them by saying that they support the troops.
[36:46] Centralization of government always benefits Satan.
[42:02] The only executive orders that should exist are the president ordering his staff to only do what is constitutionally allowed.
[42:22] Presidential signing statements where the president adds things to a bill. It's only constitutional for the president to either approve the bill or not approve the bill.
[44:49] The presidential personality and the bully pulpit. They can direct the opinion of the nation. The bully pulpit is fine as long as force isn't used.
[46:07] Heroes and villains for presidents and revisionist history.
[48:58] One of Mike's heroes is George Washington.
[51:00] A letter from George Washington to his mother. He was protected beyond all probability in a battle. This is evidence for providence.
[58:05] More research on Abraham Lincoln and his beliefs.The Real Lincolnand the battle over history.
When it comes to the separation of church and state, there are two common views. There's the atheist view that there should be a separation of church and state, and a Christian view that believes there shouldn't be a separation of church and state. Mike Winther breaks down why both groups get it wrong and why there should be a third view about separation of church and state.
We have three governments consisting of the family government, the church government, and the civil government. With a biblical view we have God and scripture. This view should reflect in all three governments. Mike breaks down why authority comes from God, and biblically we don’t want the government doing the church’s job or the church doing the government’s job. This lecture will help you think about God, scripture, and biblical authority in a different way.
You’ll Learn:
[01:16] We have three governments consisting of the family government, the church government, and the civil government. God and the scriptures should be the source of authority in all three governments.
[02:49] There is a separation of responsibility between each government.
[04:15] Organizations trying to separate church and state really want to separate civil government from scripture. It's taking authority from God.
[05:38] People who don't believe in God, wouldn't want authority to come from God.
[06:25] If the authority of civil government doesn't come from scripture, it would come from the majority.
[07:48] Power and authority is different in the different government roles such as family or civil.
[10:12] Mike talks about foundational constitutional principles. The founding fathers did a good job setting up our government. Our constitution isn't perfect or divinely inspired.
[11:19] You can have five government systems including a monarchy, an oligarchy, democracy, republic, and anarchy that doesn't exist for long.
[15:47] Mike explains what a republic is. Rule by law is a republic. The laws are concrete and unchanging. Everyone is subject to the laws. The quality of the republic depends on what the laws are.
[19:02] An oligarchy seems to be more stable than a monarchy. Most communist systems are based on oligarchies.
[19:50] Monarchies tend to turn into oligarchies and democracies can also.
[20:12] People's opinions are usually framed by their education and media.
[21:06] A republic based on good law and God's standards would be the best form of government.
[22:01] The types of government aren't related to the political parties with the same name.
[27:30] It can be easy for Christians in the modern world to get discouraged.
[28:20] Mike talks about gun control. What should our policy be? There's a principled approach and a practical approach.
[34:48] Mike talks about what scripture says about buying a sword.
[36:06] Knowing God's word can help us today and in the future.
[39:36] Mike talks about the 2nd Amendment in the Constitution which is the right to keep and bear arms. This is so we can protect ourselves from tyranny.
[41:49] The colonists had superior weapons during the Revolutionary War. It was muskets against rifles.
Should we increase charity for the poor? Should we implement a healthcare plan? What should our policy be on energy and foreign oil? Nearly every government policy is rooted in an economic decision.
Governments often expand beyond their original limits. Such growth typically results in a loss of liberty and freedom. Modern opinions can be easily influenced by the media. Mike Winther delves into the issues of government power and consumer protection in this thought-provoking lecture.
You’ll Learn:
[01:29] Historically governments tend to grow beyond the bounds intended when the government was formed.
[03:09] Government growth always comes at the expense of liberty and freedom.
[04:32] Excuses when surrendering liberty and freedom include protecting the needy and the consumer.
[05:22] How could the consumers be protected in a limited government society?
[07:01] The Jungle was a novel but it was reported to be factual in the day.
[11:42] We developed administrative law in the 1900s. Congress began delegating their lawmaking authority to agencies.
[15:17] We now have a regulatory nightmare.
[18:58] When we talk about public agencies, we're talking about government agencies.
[20:41] Categories of people and things we may need to be protected from. First category is producers.
[21:41] We can have a public or a private solution.
[22:05] People make choices in a truly free market.
[22:58] The judges in the Bible spent a lot of time adjudicating disputes between others.
[25:46] Underwriters Laboratory is a private enterprise. It's a voluntary consumer protection model.
[33:30] When the government gives something to one person it has to take it away from some other person.
[33:50] Mike dives into the history of monopolies in America using an example of the railroad system.
[40:20] The first kind of monopoly is a government created monopoly. Example AT&T.
[42:10] There are special laws that allow unions to monopolize a workforce.
[44:44] Free market economists might debate whether patents are good or bad things.
[45:14] The efficiency monopoly has no detrimental effect to an economy. They provide the best product at the cheapest price.
[47:47] Big business usually supports government regulation. They actually use the power of government to improve their market share.
It’s the goal of The Institute of Principle Studies to teach the biblical principles of civil government and economics. Mike Winther talks about the basics of biblical principles of government in this lecture given in June of 2012.
We need to educate our children and ourselves, so we can be informed voters and shape the world in a positive way. We want our children to be adequately prepared. We need to spend more time instructing them in government and economics.
You’ll Learn:
[01:21] It's the goal of our organization to share what the Bible has to say about civil government and economics.
[03:57] What's the harm of raising sons and daughters who are bad students of government and economics? These children are future voters. We need to educate them and ourselves.
[06:19] Fundamentals. The foundations of government. There are three God ordained government institutions. We are also to govern ourselves rightly.
[08:29] There is a family government, civil government, and church government. Scripture refers to all three in a positive way.
[11:21] The key question is what is the proper role of government?
[12:43] If there's a proper role of government, then there's also an improper role of government.
[14:38] George Washington said that government isn't reason or eloquence. It's Force. A dangerous servant and a fearful master.
[15:32] The rod is a symbol of biblical discipline and authority. The church government has excommunication. Civil government is represented by the sword.
[20:30] It's important to understand the origin of rights. Mike shares why rights come from God.
[28:55] The dangers of having our rights come from the government.
[30:35] The only way to have rights is to have them come from a non-human source. If human beings give us rights, human beings can take them away. The only option to have our rights come from is God.
[36:00] Biblical roles of civil government include punishing crime and protecting our country. Should we allow the government to take away our rights in the name of security?
[37:11] Rights come from God. This is the universal view of founding America.
[38:41] What is the government source of authority? What authorizes them to do something? Biblically the government is accountable to the people it doesn't get its authority from the people.
[42:01] From a Biblical big-picture perspective there are things that are authorized and not authorized. Every field of study points to the Creator.
[43:20] Behind every source of law is a God. Choosing your authority is choosing your God.
[45:37] The dangers of appealing to the wrong source of authority.
[46:18] Forms of government. Monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and republic. No government is anarchy. The first three are man-centered.
[49:18] Republics are based on law. A republic can be a good or a bad government based on the source of the law.
[50:51] The two kingdom views of the government. There's a spiritual realm and an Earthly realm. Christ is the head of all things spiritual and Satan Earthly. God has all authority even in Earthly institutions.
[52:25] The two kingdom view is designed to keep Christians from being interested in government.
[55:57] Romans 13. There are circumstances where it's proper to rebel.
Economics Matters: Lessons from a Desert Isle Part 1
01:14:00
It’s time to discuss economics and our government from a biblical perspective. This is from a lecture by Mike Winther given over Zoom early on at the beginning of the pandemic. It was given on May 5th, 2020. Mike kicks the speech off by answering questions about executive orders and the three branches of the US Government. Mike stays close to the constitution and the original intention of our founding fathers. He also keeps everything from a biblical perspective.
He talks about checks and balances, current trends in our government, and the importance of learning about economics. How can we vote and contribute to good governance without being informed ourselves? He starts with Proverbs 11:1. Mike breaks down the definition of economics, the importance of an honest economic system, and what microeconomics and macroeconomics are. Then we dive into a hypothetical example of one person stranded on a tropical island and a micro-economy and the steps to grow to a larger economy.
You’ll Learn:
[01:42] How do we look at executive orders from government officials? Please explain the three branches of government?
[02:35] It's not biblical to put too much authority in one human being such as a king.
[04:55] When our founding fathers were creating the Constitution, their colonial governments had three branches of government. Having an executive, legislative, and judicial branch is a powerful way of organizing a government.
[05:36] The US government is broken into three branches, executive or presidential, judicial or Supreme Court, and the legislative or congress.
[06:00] Three branches of government were adopted based on scripture, specifically Isaiah 33:22.
[07:44] Executive orders are not in the Constitution. They are not constitutional.
[09:25] There seems to be a trend to move away from checks and balances.
[10:50] Economics are important because a lot of what we do with the government concerns economics. To have a good government, we have to learn about good economics.
[11:18] Proverbs 11:1.
[13:31] Economics is how we measure productivity, money, everything we do in our economy. A dishonest economic system would be condemned.
[14:52] Microeconomics is the study of the economics of a household, family, or a firm. Macroeconomics is the study of an entire region, a whole nation, or whole country.
[16:03] We're going to get stranded on an island and grow from a micro economy to a macro economy. The same principles are true for both disciplines.
[16:30] Capital is the means of production or excess production. Tools and equipment are capital.
[19:14] We're stranded on a tropical island with no other human beings. We have water and catch fish. We make a spear and fishing is easier. By not spending all day gathering the fish, we have a higher standard of living and can cook the fish. The spear and the fire pit are both capital.
[24:12] Capital and tools are part of the biblical mandate to go forth and multiply.
[24:42] We build a shelter. Each day, we build more tools and have more capital.
[25:31] Another word for excess production is profit.
[26:31] We find someone else washed ashore. We specialize with our food gathering skills. We also trade.
[29:10] Exchange or trade is the voluntary act of giving one thing in return for another.
[30:31] It's not wrong to have a higher standard of living.
[31:52] Specialization matters. Time and resources can be focused on specific tasks.
[33:46] Adding another person to the island. More specialization and trade. This cycle continues.
[37:30] We go from barter to sand dollar currency.
[39:13] One member of the group, Steven, found sand dollars on a secret beach and created inflation by causing an increase in the money supply. His extra sand dollars caused the price of everything on the island to increase.
[41:22] Goods and services or wealth transferred from everyone else to Steven. Inflation is a wealth transfer. An increase in the money supply shifts wealth. The prices going up creates poverty.
[43:15] Sand dollars weren't scarce.
[44:28] Money needs to be scarce, durable, and transportable. It should also be able to be divided into smaller segments. It also needs to have its own value.
[46:46] It's possible to inflate the money supply with traditional paper money or electronic money. If the Fed increases the money supply we get inflation.
[48:56] We shouldn't want the money supply to increase.
[49:14] Money is also a store of value. Tools to make more money are called capital.
[51:46] The true worth of money is actually what it will buy.
[53:07] Inflation is really a way of stealing someone's labor.
[56:30] Money shouldn't be manipulated by governments, because we can't allow inflation to happen.
[57:51] When governments inflate the money supply, there's no way to equally dole out the new money. Some people get more than others but everybody suffers from the high prices caused by inflation.
[58:59] Next time we will compare two economic systems, socialism and communism to a free market economy.
[59:53] Capital is tools and the means of production. Money is a medium of exchange. Good money should be scarce and have its own value.
[01:01:22] The more people you trade with the better off you are economically. Trade is good as long as people doing the labor are doing it voluntarily.
[01:02:34] We do not need political globalization.
[01:03:03] Government shouldn't be participating in economic exchange. Trade should be between individuals and/or companies.
[01:05:11] Our constitution only allows congress to make laws. The person who makes the law can't be the person who enforces the law.
[01:06:57] Our government shouldn't be involved in charity. We should have volunteer charity.
Mike Winther gives a lecture about education at a homeschool convention. Homeschool families take a personal interest in their children’s education. He talks about biblical ideas of education. He also talks about some Puritan ideas of education which are consistent with biblical models.
This episode is about children of God versus children of Caesar, and it's really about who owns our children. God owns our children, but parents are the caretakers and are held accountable for what they do with their children. This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of how to best educate their children.
You’ll Learn:
[02:23] Plato was a Greek philosopher. Like many philosophers, he wrestled with the nature of man. Is the nature of man good or evil?
[03:04] The judeo-Christian view is that man is born with a sin nature. Plato said that man was essentially good but sometimes does evil.
[03:49] Plato's answer to where sin comes from is a learned nature from your parents. We have an evil problem in society, because young people learn evil.
[04:57] In Plato's Republic, you find the most honest noble person and make them the Philosopher King with absolute power. The next level of wise people are made the schoolmasters.
[06:07] The children are taken away from the parents as soon as they are weaned.
[07:43] Fundamental to Plato's Utopia is fixing the educational system.
[08:16] Deuteronomy Chapter 6.
[10:05] We should always be instructing our children.
[11:40] Is it possible to make education an idol? Education is a means to an end, it's not the end itself.
[14:06] How much of our future should we mortgage for an education?
[16:27] Mike talks about things that the Bible tells us that we shouldn't do.
[19:08] Mike talks about the two economic systems in our world and why socialism is biblically wrong.
[22:04] What should we teach? The Puritans worked hard to apply scripture to every area of life.
[22:30] Cotton Mather had a lot to say about education.
[25:13] Reading and writing is secondary to teaching about the savior.
[29:14] Serving God first and meeting the needs of others. Our careers and occupations are simply serving others.
[30:40] How our worldviews shouldn't be compartmentalized.
[36:10] Methodology and the debate about how we teach. The Trivium and the three stages of learning. The grammar stage. The logic stage. The rhetoric stage.
[40:55] We should move towards the goal of educating in a Christian environment.
[45:38] Mike talks about how the public schools have way more access to your children's mind than you have.
[50:08] History shows that people in the past who only had an eighth grade education can speak, read and write better than current students.
[50:49] Mike shares quotes by James Carter and Samuel Smith and Horace Mann.
[55:16] Your children learn the doctrine of whatever school you put them in.
[56:49] Problems in America are educational problems.
[57:13] Karl Marx's 10 steps for bringing about communism or socialism. One fundamental aspect is free public education for children in schools.
[01:01:15] Don't assume that a Christian college is safe. Give your kids all of the best foundations possible.
Mike Winther outlines a strategy for improving our government and returning to the principles that support the Constitution and limited government. He discusses the difference between tactics and strategy, emphasizing the importance of educating ourselves and our families.
He also explores the distinction between socialism and free-market economies, noting how the lines between them can, and often do, get blurred. Additionally, he underscores the necessity of educating others. Mike speaks further about adopting a superior strategy, prioritizing winning the war over every individual battle.
You’ll Learn:
[00:49] Discouragement on the side of people who want limited government and support the constitution.
[02:09] Our philosophical enemies don't compartmentalize their political life. For them, everything is strategic.
[03:32] Cancel culture is making your political agenda all of your life.
[05:04] A tactic is how you win a battle. A strategy is how you win the war.
[05:56] Most of our elections were won or lost in our high schools and colleges 30 years ago.
[07:42] 1. We need to educate ourselves. If we don't educate ourselves and our families, we will gradually be persuaded to socialism.
[08:37] Socialism is when the government intervenes in the economy.
[10:36] We need to educate ourselves so we don't gradually fall into being socialists.
[11:07] 2. We need to educate others.
[12:00] 3. Strategy. All politics are local.
[13:30] Congress and the House of Representatives have a lot of power.
[14:36] With strategy you can win the war without winning every battle. We should put more time and attention into our congressional seats and less into the White House.
[16:47] We need to groom the proper candidates.
[17:54] Candidates should know and understand the proper role of government.
[20:44] We need to develop candidates long-term and educate them along the way.
[21:16] Big business is pouring a ton of money into government and socialist causes. We as the consumer indirectly pour money into their pockets.
[24:17] We need to vote with our pocketbooks.
[26:41] We have to have a strategy and educate ourselves. We need to educate others.
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 microeconomic principles at play on a deserted island. He discusses concepts such as capital, tools, and surplus production, underscoring the notion that there is nothing inherently wrong with seeking to improve one's standard of living—a pursuit even encouraged by the Bible.
Furthermore, Mike addresses the topics of exchange, trade, specialization, and the capacity to fulfill the needs of a community. It’s possible that this lecture is even more relevant now, then when it was first given.
You’ll Learn:
[01:11] You can accomplish a lot if you don't care who gets the credit. You can accomplish a lot if you're not in too big of a hurry.
[01:36] Being fed small doses of socialism until we wake up and find out we already have communism.
[02:01] There are groups and individuals who intentionally want to weaken the economy.
[03:01] People accept change when things aren't going well. You have to have a problem in order to be able to implement a solution.
[03:38] If you want to make change, you have to make it so things aren't going well.
[03:54] Economics comes from two Greek words which means the law of the house. It's the policies of running the house.
[04:35] Microeconomics or the economics of a household or firm or something small.
[06:38] Macroeconomics is the study of something bigger like a whole nation.
[07:17] Market friendly econ schools will want you to take microeconomics first. Big government leaning schools will want you to take macroeconomics first.
[08:30] Understanding the principles of microeconomics, a student won't fall for the big government macroeconomics.
[15:51] Means of production: Capital or tools. Capital is also excess production.
[21:47] There's nothing wrong with material wealth or improving your standard of living.
[26:51] Specialization matters. We can't have specialization without trade.
[30:59] Trade without money is called barter.
[36:19] As the island grows bartering becomes a problem, because the trade overhead is too high.
[39:29] Money needs to be durable and divisible.
[43:44] Inflation is an increase in the money supply. As the money supply increases, prices go up.
[48:36] Intrinsic value or something that will always have value.
[50:21] There's no inherent scarcity in paper money. Governments can print more of it.
[55:26] Inflation is like stealing.
[56:25] 1st Samuel chapter 8: When the king demands 10% you will be slaves.
[59:46] Economic issues are moral, ethical, and biblical issues.
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 lens both ancient and enduring—the biblical perspective. We'll explore the significance of property, the principles of managing it, and the pivotal question of its ownership. Should there be private property, or not? These are the crucial topics we will dive into tonight as we continue with lectures from Mike Winther’s class on Biblical Principles of Government.
You’ll Learn:
[01:34] Five government systems: monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, republic, and anarchy.
[01:57] Communism isn't a governmental system, it's an economic system.
[02:07] There are only two economic systems. These are the free market and socialism. All other economic systems are a subset of these two.
[02:34] A free market consists of voluntary actions and voluntary trade.
[03:03] Socialism is an economic system that does have government involvement.
[03:33] The free market is a voluntary system and socialism is an involuntary system.
[04:37] The free market consists of voluntary exchange without the government being involved, but there is government enforcement of contracts.
[05:27] A contract is a non-governmental agreement between two parties. Contracts are made without the government, but the government has a role enforcing contracts.
[07:15] We have socialism if we have government controlled capital or forced redistribution of wealth.
[10:15] In America, we have a blended system which is part free market and part socialism.
[10:56] Karl Marx is the modern father of communism. He wrote The Communist Manifesto.
[11:27] According to Marx, a communist is a person who wants socialism.
[12:45] Socialism and communism believe that property is mutually owned. Socialism places limits on private ownership of property.
[15:26] The redistribution slogan of Karl Marx.
[16:40] There are political systems and economic systems.
[27:00] You can tell by the work on the roadways that the government is planning for the future to make it more difficult for people to take private transportation.
[29:43] We need to ask ourselves if our vote is more public sector or private sector and make a decision about which one we want to support.
[32:42] Freedom of physical movement is a big part of freedom of speech.
[35:31] Marx was an advocate of publicly funded schools. Is a public school socialist institution? Who finances it? Redistribution of wealth?
[37:37] Mike goes back to the island example to show how economic systems work.
[46:49] Who is hurt the most by a price increase? The poor. That's goods and services and the price goes up.
Attacking the Gates of Hell: Preparing for the Battle
00:44:31
In order to reach a broader audience with the Bible’s message of liberty, IPS is releasing a series of teachings featuring IPS Founder, Mike Winther, in podcast form.
The following lecture was given at the Big Valley Grace Community Church men’s ministry on February 1st, 2021. It is one of a four-part series where Mike encourages Christians to get off the sidelines and engage in the battle.
You’ll Learn:
[02:34] This four part lecture on Attacking the Gates of Hell is all about battles.
[03:04] Situation ethics is where nothing is absolutely wrong. There is a battle around every corner for us.
[04:06] When Mike talks about the church, he's talking about the body of believers in Jesus Christ.
[04:45] We need to learn the truth in every area of life and regain our appetite for battle.
[08:38] Jesus builds his church with or without us. Do you want to be on the team that helps? We are allowed to participate. Mathew 16:16.
[12:26] God gives certain roles to men and women. Men aren't finding a call to battle in church. Where is the call to fight the gates of hell?
[17:11] We are neglecting the external battle. Micah 6:8. Do justice. We need to know what justice is.
[18:55] Psalm 1:10. This is the most quoted passage of the Old Testament in the New Testament. It's also a specific time indicator of Jesus's return.
[26:33] It's our job to be the soldiers in the battle of building the church. The nature of the battle is a hard, long battle.
[28:10] Matthew 28. The scope of the battle. Discipleship is bigger than evangelism.
[32:15] In the Bible, there are three God ordained government institutions: the family government, church government, and civil government.
[32:50] The next three episodes are going to be about attacking the gates of hell in each of those governments.
[35:27] Mike shares a story about John Knox and the proper role of the civil government.
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 learn how inflation lowers the standard of living and serves as another means of wealth redistribution. The discussion also covers the influence of the wealthy and the pivotal meeting at Jekyll Island that led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve. Often, the solutions we devise are part of the problem itself. We further explore how inflation negatively impacts savings.
You’ll Learn:
[01:03] What happens when we increase the money supply?
[02:34] Inflation reduces our standard of living and is another method of redistribution of wealth.
[03:16] Inflation is a hidden tax and even a moral evil.
[09:08] Mike talks about the private rail car taking the wealthy men who established the Federal Reserve to Jekyll Island. This gives monopoly control over our currency and interest rates to the semi-public semi-private institution.
[10:41] The Federal Reserve Act was sold as something to help the little guy. It actually did just the opposite.
[12:55] Mike talks about campaign finance reforms and how they backfired. It led to longer terms of office for the incumbents.
[16:17] Mike shares a hypothetical scenario that compares kids stealing a widows savings to losing savings when inflation is higher than interest rates.
[18:14] We have an ethical obligation to do something when we know an evil is occurring.
[21:01] Mike talks about how the government finances deficits. Methods include bonds, borrowing from foreign investors, and having the Federal Reserve create money in exchange for a bond.
[26:14] Debt is a bad thing.
[27:21] There's a battle over the size of the government.
[28:08] When people's safety feels threatened they allow the government to get bigger. We also expand government to help the poor.
[29:09] Who gets charity? Who gives charity? What are the standards for charity?
[30:03] Deuteronomy 10:17 through 19. Deuteronomy 14:28. Deuteronomy 24:19.
[38:10] The practical applications of this course are going to multiply. It's always a good idea to look at principles.
[42:26] Should we be forced to pay for someone else's education against our will?
[46:30] Is there a right to freedom of movement? What are the circumstances where you could legitimately reject someone from coming here?
[46:57] Individualism says the individual is most important. Collectivism says the group is most important.
Part two of Mike Winther’s lecture on why economics matters as a moral issue. It was given through Zoom during the COVID lockdown on May 12th, 2020. Last week Mike talked about economic terms like micro and macroeconomics, capital, trade, socialism, and free trade. He used the example of one person stranded on an island to begin a microeconomy that eventually evolved into a macroeconomy as more people and resources were added.
Mike continues that lesson with a brief recap of important economic terms and then dives into free market economies, socialism, and the blending of the two. He continues his island example and also talks about some of the current economies of today. He explains what the biblical meaning of economies was meant to be and talks about the benefits of voluntary trade and charity. This is an excellent primer on why how we vote matters and why we want a government that stands back and lets the economy work.
You’ll Learn:
[01:36] Economics is an ethical and moral issue. We also talked about micro and macro economics.
[02:22] When times are tough, very few households think they can spend themselves rich. What's true at the micro-level is also true at the macro-level.
[03:00] Capital is the means of production and excess production. Excess production allows you to invest in more capital.
[04:29] Standard of living. The Bible tells us to produce and have a work ethic. We're told to work and produce to feed our families, have savings, to help others, and to leave an inheritance. Money is not evil. The love of money is evil.
[06:12] Exchange or trade is the voluntary act of giving something to someone in exchange for something else.
[06:50] Last week, we went through the evolution of an economy starting with one person on an island.
[10:24] We are called to be productive from God. We have an economic obligation to bear fruit.
[11:55] Reasons why we may want to store value and production. Money stores and measures value.
[15:29] What makes good money? Scarcity and a store of value. Precious metals.
[17:16] There are two economic systems in the world: the free market and socialism or a blending of the two. Communism is a form of socialism.
[18:42] The free market is a system with no government involvement in trade. A system of voluntary actions.
[20:09] Socialism does not rely on 100% voluntary trade. The government gets involved. There are even non-voluntary transactions.
[22:46] Our governments go way beyond voluntary trade. They get involved in a lot of labor and trade.
[24:20] Land is capital. Government controls our land capital by requiring permits etc. There's a scale or continuum of socialism.
[26:22] Forced redistribution of wealth is also socialism.
[28:08] Satan likes to take the truth and twist it a little bit. Socialism is forced, where Christian charity is voluntary.
[33:32] Alexis de Tocqueville talks about the depraved taste for equality in America.
[34:17] We go back to the island and decide to share property and do an experiment in socialism.
[38:08] Production drops and we are all less well-off.
[42:23] Private property encourages people to work harder and produce more.
[44:41] Socialism reduces people's motivation to work.
[45:13] We decided to institute taxes and social work on the island. We now work on redistribution, but production is down and everybody has less.
[53:15] With voluntary charity, there is no motivational loss like with forced charity or socialism.
[54:03] Mike goes over the main reasons that poverty exists.
[56:51] Mike answers questions about libertarians, anarchists, and socialism.
[01:04:05] 1st Samuel Chapter 8. God says he wants a decentralized government, but the people want a centralized government or a king.
[01:11:30] Socialism treats people unequally. A true government is unbiased.
Mike Winther shares his perspective on what ‘cancel culture’ is and why we should care. He talks about how ‘cancel culture’ is usually an attack on someone’s reputation or employment based on ideology. It can also be an attempt of intimidation to get people to modify their attitudes.
It can also be an attempt to remove ideas or alternative viewpoints. It can also remove financial resources, such as boycotting businesses or getting employees fired. He explores this topic, and the information is as relevant today as when this lecture was first given.
You’ll Learn:
[01:19] Cancel culture is usually defined as an attack on someone's reputation or their employment based on ideology. It's also an attempt of intimidation to get people to modify their attitudes.
[02:47] It can also be an attempt to remove financial resources from businesses or employees.
[03:17] There is significant overlap between some of the recent protests and ‘cancel culture’.
[03:36] Mike shares some examples of ‘cancel culture’ in action.
[05:07] Censoring can also be a result of ‘cancel culture’ especially on social media.
[05:41] Changing thinking and actions as part of the battle for hearts and minds.
[06:15] Methods can be good and bad. For instance, education can be good unless it's not accurate. Intimidation and property destruction are methods that can result in a boomerang effect.
[07:40] The public can boycott and use market forces to create a change.
[08:25] Mike is going to share four different contrasts. 1. Government versus private. This can determine whether it's morally acceptable or unacceptable. 2. Reason versus emotion. Is it based on reason or emotion? 3. Is it a good worldview versus a bad worldview? 4. We need to evaluate the heart. Is there a good heart or an evil heart?
[09:26] Government versus private. Governments shouldn't be promoters of philosophy or policy. We don't want the government influencing the people. We want the people to influence the government.
[14:26] Is it okay for private parties to influence public opinion? Yes.
[14:45] The first amendment is designed to limit government action not private action.
[18:08] Many monopolies received government help in the early days.
[18:32] Our regulatory environment also reduces competition.
[19:55] Our educational system can be another issue when censoring.
[23:12] Reason versus emotion. So much of the 'cancel culture' is based on emotional feeling.
[27:06] A good worldview versus a bad worldview.
[28:10] The good heart versus the bad heart. Too much of 'cancel culture' is aimed at people. We shouldn't attack the people, we should attack the idea. A lot of cancel culture is aimed at the person who has the idea.
[29:46] Mike talks about the large number of monuments that have been removed.
[34:00] Should we engage? As long as we do it correctly and pursue a good goal.
Romans chapter 13 is constantly used to say that Christians, or citizens in general, should always obey the civil authorities. There's a whole series of debates that come out of this. When is it proper for a Christian to obey authority? Is it ever proper to rebel against authority? Our founding fathers were constantly debating whether it was legitimate for those with a Christian worldview to rebel against the king.
Mike Winther continues his lecture on Biblical principles of government in this recording of the fourth episode in this series. He talks about concepts like power versus authority. Then he goes into the five forms of government. It goes back to the Bible and God being the source of authority. This is about understanding scripture being critical to political science if we want to have a Christian worldview.
You’ll Learn:
[01:22] Mike reads Romans 13. This chapter is the proof test of where our authority comes from. Our source of rights comes from God. Government authority comes from God.
[02:02] You can read this as every authority and power has been put there by God or the only legitimate authority comes from God.
[02:32] Power is the ability to make something happen. Authority is being authorized to do something. What is the government authorized to do and does it have enough power to do it?
[05:52] There are five forms of government. A monarchy is a rule of one.
[08:35] An oligarchy is a rule by an elite few. This is one of the most common forms of government on the planet.
[10:32] A democracy is ruled by the majority. Typically majorities don't always have a mind of their own. The real rulers are those who control the opinions of the majority like education and the media.
[12:53] The next form of government is a republic. This is the rule by law. Our founding fathers intended for us to be a republic.
[16:04] Is a rule by law the best system of government? That would depend on the laws.
[16:23] The last system of government is anarchy which is ruled by no one. This is a temporary state, because it creates a vacuum.
[18:04] Mike talks about different sources of law.
[24:58] John Wycliffe, the father of the English Bible.
[26:11] The Bible is a source of authority.
[26:50] If there is no God, then there is no liberty. This is where political science is critical to understanding scripture.
[27:26] Proving the necessity of God if you want to have a government. We need a non-human source for our rights.
[28:14] God is the source of law and above it.
[32:03] As Christians, we need to think through our logic on some of these issues.
Mike Winther talks about biblical principles for limiting civil government in this lecture given in June of 2012 in Colorado. This episode builds on theBiblical Principles of Governmentepisode. We are also big believers in reading the classic works, so browse our book selection.
Mike talks about our civil government and principles which we use to limit civil government. He starts off with the fundamentals of family, church, and civil government. State government can be dangerous if not limited or controlled. Mike walks us through how and why we can do this based on biblical principles.
You’ll Learn:
[02:54] We have a family government, church government, and civil government.
[04:43] Force can be used for good and force can be used for evil.
[05:17] Our founding fathers made every effort to create a way for us to limit government.
[06:03] We're going to start out with the concept that government is dangerous. There is also a sin nature to man. We need to know the nature of government and the nature of the people who control it.
[06:52] The Judeo-Christian view says that there's original sin. Plato says that man is basically good and sin is learned from the environment.
[09:33] The battle between the Judeo-Christian view and Plato's view goes back a long way. Our founding fathers rejected Plato's view.
[10:06] 1. We need to understand the biblical principles of government. We need to understand the collective application of God's commands. They apply to individuals and groups.
[12:55] Elected officials shouldn't violate God's law unless scripture specifically gives the government additional power.
[17:37] 2. Understand the nature of government. Government is force and can be dangerous. People expand government because they don't understand its nature.
[18:04] 3. We need to understand the nature of man. Man is inherently sinful. Elected officials are dangerous.
[19:18] 4. We must understand the source of rights and authority. God is the source of rights and authority.
[20:31] 5. We limit government by the proper use of law.
[23:29] The way we think about one government carries over to the other governments.
[27:15] 6. We limit government by understanding the institutional separation of powers. The institutional separation is between the three God-ordained institutions. There is a trade-off of power.
[29:19] 7. The vertical separation of powers. We had local governments before The Constitution was framed. There needs to be a separation of power between the federal government, the state government, and the local government.
[33:09] 8. Horizontal separation of powers. This is the separation within the federal government of the executive, the legislature, and the judicial branches. Isaiah 3:22.
[36:06] 9. We limit the fuel of government power. The fuel of government is money or taxes and dependence.
[40:08] 2nd Samuel Chapter 8. The system of Judges was a decentralized system. God wasn't pleased when Israel wanted a king.
[53:24] 10. Elections are one way that we can limit government. They only work if the electors aren't motivated to get free stuff.
[54:09] 11. Juries are another way that we limit government.
[54:23] 12. Weapons or arms is another way that we limit government. Luke 22: 35-38.
Generation's Interview: Should Christians Get Involved in Politics?
00:29:12
This is an interview that Mike Winther did with Kevin Swanson of the Generations Radio Show. The topic is about whether Christians should be involved in politics and if they can make an impact. Christians are now the minority. Can a minority make an impact in politics?
Mike Winther shares his views and some of the issues like not having enough Christians involved and interested in politics and how attrition keeps the numbers small. They discuss commitment, how liberty is a Godly principle, and fighting the battles together.
You’ll Learn:
[04:21] There's a gradual awakening happening. The problem is with each new wave the older wave is checking out.
[05:02] We need people in it for the long haul, so when we add new people the old guard is still around.
[05:37] Liberty is a Godly principle. Kevin's book Freedom lays out the biblical case.
[06:04] We need to refresh each other and not fight the battles alone.
[07:26] In mainstream Christendom, we have incomplete eschatology.
[08:47] Psalm 110 is the most referred to Old Testament passage in the New Testament.
[12:43] It's easier to be faithful when we believe that the victory will be ours.
[13:19] The proper biblical role of government. Scripture defines three God ordained institutions: family government, civil government, and church government. The Bible gives us do's and don'ts for each institution.
[14:28] Plato versus Paul compares the Greek view of Plato and the Republic to the Christian view of the Apostle Paul.
[14:58] Mike talks about the proper powers of the governments as demonstrated in the Old Testament.
[16:59] Mike talks about paying taxes and scripture. The modern American Christian doesn't have a bright line to determine when taxes are excessive.
[18:45] We were warned that having a king is a curse. The government shouldn't demand more than the amount of the tithe.
[19:46] Mike talks about how a lot of government programs are actually the fuel for big government.
[22:06] Mike talks about alternatives for government education. We also need to reduce the number of people dependent on the civil state.
[23:53] We need candidates who have the proper views, but they're hard to get elected because they don't always agree with the constituents.
[24:19] One way to change the hearts and minds of citizens is to get people out of the government schools and out of government assistance.
[27:29] We need to help train people to know the biblical principles and applications in civil government.
In this insightful episode, Mike Winther delves into the intricate topic of war powers and their constitutional roots. He explores the original intentions of the founding fathers as laid out in the Constitution, shedding light on the constitutional aspects of military engagement and policy. The lecture is structured around three core objectives.
Firstly, Mike will examine the constitutional framework guiding decisions about going to war. He will then delve into various theories of war, discussing the circumstances under which war is justified and when military action is permissible. Finally, he raises a crucial question: Are our current, or any, American leaders truly fit to make these momentous decisions on our behalf? Join us as we navigate these complex issues with Mike Winther.
You’ll Learn:
[03:17] Article 1 Section 8 of The Constitution lays out the responsibility for declaring war.
[04:05] We've had a number of wars that haven't actually been declared as wars.
[04:56] Is funding a war and approving it the same thing?
[05:32] The founding fathers intended more than just a vote from Congress to fund a war. Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
[06:10] Before the 17th Amendment, the senators were appointed by the states. The house represented the people, and the founding fathers knew that the people would be paying for the war.
[07:11] The founding fathers gave Congress the power to declare war and the president the power to manage the war.
[09:13] Mike discusses the difference between engaging and declaring.
[10:06] By funding the war and not declaring it, Congress gets plausible deniability.
[12:55] War theory and the decision about whether to use force.
[13:14] There's a parallel with Biblical standards for violence and force and civil government for violence and force.
[19:10] Would it be justifiable for the good samaritan to use violence to help the victim during the attack? Are they required to intervene?
[23:19] Ancient Israel had an all volunteer military force up until King Saul.
[23:58] Can America as a nation force our fellow citizens to fight a war they don't want to fight?
[24:30] Should America be the police force to the world?
[25:10] The idea of just war theory comes from scripture.
[28:57] Can we trust our leaders with foreign policy decisions?
[30:29] The general trend of our government on a federal level has been to promote ideals and policies that most of us would object to.
[31:08] If these leaders aren't doing a good job at home, how well would they do on a foreign stage?
[38:32] Mike discusses problems with American intervention in foreign governments.
[40:27] We need to be able to trust the leadership we have in our government to do the right thing before they start meddling in the governments of other countries.
[44:55] We need to recognize the forces who are advocating for big government and centralizing power. We should always be careful about consolidation.
Founding Principles in the U.S. Constitution, Part 1
00:36:44
Mike Winther takes us on a little journey into studying the U.S. Constitution, but first we need to understand the proper role of government. We need to evaluate the constitution based on biblical principles and if it's a good document; we need to defend it.
Once we decide the Constitution is a worthwhile document, then we need to learn about it. This lecture is part of an IPS Government, Economics and History Conference hosted for Christian Educators. This lecture is the first of two parts entitled Founding Principles in the U.S. Constitution. It was given on July 19th, 2011.
You’ll Learn:
[02:42] There are three problems with our constitution. 1. Most Americans don't know what it says. 2. They don't know what it means. 3. We don't believe in its foundations.
[04:00] Constitutional law is studying what the courts have done for or to the Constitution. It doesn't teach a lot about the intent of the Constitution or how it should be interpreted.
[05:30] We need to understand the philosophical frame of the Constitution, the case law, and the mechanics.
[06:05] Original intent. The founding fathers wrote this document and the words have meaning that's understandable and clear and concrete.
[06:26] The Constitution is a living breathing document. Society has evolved. Our needs and our society are different and the Constitution should be different. It's okay to modify, broaden, or expand the Constitution. This is the living breathing document approach.
[07:22] Strict intent. We should hold the Constitution as originally instructed.
[07:37] Underlying principles. 1. Source of rights. 2. Source of government authority.
[09:56] Good law is based on God's principles
[13:01] Blackstone's work has been inserted in the Constitution.
[14:28] 3. Nature of government. 4. Nature of man.
[15:04] We have three branches of government which are executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative is broken up between the Senate and the House, so technically we have four bodies of government.
[16:58] Appointed or elected? Electoral college. The states appoint the members of The Electoral College.
[18:50] A state popular election is used to choose the electors. The electors are chosen by the party of whoever gets the most votes.
[23:28] The Senate was appointed until the 17th Amendment of the Constitution.
[23:56] The Supreme Court Justices are appointed by a President.
[25:12] Office holders represent the people who put them in office.
[26:35] The presidency was designed to represent the state governments. States appoint senators. People elect the house. The President appoints the Supreme Court.
[29:10] The federal government is a creation of the states.
[30:55] Unfunded mandates. It's when the federal government passes a bill that says a state has to do something, and they're not getting any funds to do it.
[35:38] States maintain sovereignty except where they give it up. The source determines the use.
This lecture is the last of Mike Winther’s lecture series delivered in June of 2012 in Colorado. Mike talks about consumer protection in a free market in order to support the idea of a free market.
All of the economic systems in the world fall under the umbrella of socialism or free market. Mike dives into how the free market is supposed to work. He talks about the legitimacy of free market exchanges, how they are supposed to be mutually beneficial, and so much more.
You’ll Learn:
[03:50] When two people engage in a voluntary exchange, they should both be receiving benefits.
[04:42] Different sides have different perceived benefits.
[05:20] Socialists think they can measure everything. Somehow the government knows the relative value of everything and can assign a value to it.
[06:03] The problem arises when big brother is not wiser than the individual.
[06:30] The true determination of value is what other people are willing to pay.
[08:05] Our well-being isn't determined by how much money we have, it's determined by the goods and services we have.
[09:50] Who protects the consumer in a true free market?
[13:47] There are hundreds of commissions designed to keep us safe. We are a very regulated society.
[14:13] Administrative or regulatory laws are passed by government agencies. They get around the Constitution by calling them regulations as opposed to laws.
[14:58] The ever-growing Federal Register.
[15:33] Caveat emptor or buyer beware. Caveat venditor or seller beware.
[17:03] Private will be defined as not owned by the government. Voluntary means we're not making anybody do anything. Compulsory means to be made to do something.
[17:55] Voluntary activity is better than compulsory activity.
[18:49] Socialists want the government to force the market to do things, and the free market wants the government to force very few things.
[19:47] An example of when the early railroads were being built. Sometimes things that look like they're for our protection are actually manipulation.
[23:56] Mechanisms for protection. Competition. When there's a need something will rush in to fill that need.
[25:53] Underwriters Laboratory is a private non-government organization that protects consumers.
[30:08] The eBay phenomenon and review system.
[30:59] How are we protected from unfair competition? The free market has mostly consistent pricing.
[32:39] Illness and disease. Consumer Reports and product reviews. Protecting from poverty.
[36:36] Redistribution of wealth causes productivity loss in the economy.
[37:50] Monopolies are an important argument against the free market. There isn't a monopoly that hasn't been created by government rule or mandate.
[39:13] A technological monopoly can be based on a patent. A government granted monopoly. The company offering the cheapest product at the cheapest price.
[43:30] Cities award monopoly contracts for cable companies.
[46:28] How do we protect ourselves? Should the government mandate seat belts or helmets?
[48:18] Have a systemized approach to know what the government should do and not do.
[49:06] Consumers can be protected in a free market, but accidents can always happen.
[49:44] Private lawsuits are actually an important method for protecting consumers.
Mike Winther kicks off a special three-part series about the Constitution being under siege. At The Institute for Principle Studies, we have always emphasized the importance of viewing the Constitution from a perspective of principle over pragmatism and recognizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every area of life. By doing so, we can better understand its significance and the need to defend it.
In this first part, Mike talks about the Constitution and its importance as the foundation of our country's government. He examines how it is currently under siege from those who seek to destroy it and why we must protect it from these attacks. He talks about the foundation of the Constitution and what our Founding Fathers intended. This episode will give us a better understanding of our government, the Constitution, and its authority.
You’ll Learn:
[06:13] Properly teaching the Constitution may decrease public support due to conflict with modern desires for government action prohibited by the Constitution.
[09:23] The Constitution's first foundation is the belief that rights come from God, and the government's purpose is to protect those rights.
[10:19] The source determines the use of anything. If rights come from the government, the government can take them away.
[11:38] The Constitution's inalienable rights come from God, a universal belief among the founding fathers.
[13:32] The founding fathers had differing views on the source of government authority, with one half believing it came from the people and the other from God.
[15:24] The legitimacy of government authority should come from a non-human source, such as God, rather than the fickle majority.
[17:47] George Washington believed the government's primary function is to exert force and should be treated as a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
[19:45] The Constitution was created to contain the potential danger of government, which the founding fathers saw as a necessary and dangerous evil.
[22:15] Plato's utopian society is created by changing the environment in which children grow up.
[26:24] The Constitution is a document of enumerated powers, while the Bill of Rights lists things the government cannot do.
[29:40] The Bill of Rights was created as a compromise with anti-federalists who wanted a list of rights, and it emphasized the idea of enumerated powers.
[33:21] The Constitution's sixth foundation idea is a mixed form of government, combining monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and aristocracy.
[35:11] A republic is a form of government where there is rule by law, unlike the first three forms of government that have individuals above the law.
[36:18] In an oligarchy, the ruling committee is above the law, while in a democracy, the majority is above the law, but in a republic, there is rule by law.
[38:40] The founding fathers intended to create a republic, not a democracy, and the quality of a republic depends on the source of law it is based on.
[40:25] A republic can be good or bad depending on the quality of the law it's based on.
[44:00] Republican and Democratic parties don't determine whether the US is a republic or democracy. Republicans in the 1800s wanted democracy, while Democrats wanted a republic.
[46:14] Separation of powers was created due to man's sin nature. The appointment method for legislative bodies determines whether the US is a democracy or republic.
[47:02] The executive branch is appointed by the electoral college, which picks the President based on a formula in the Constitution.
[49:19] The electoral college still exists, but it's run differently from how the founding fathers intended. States can choose their electors in different ways, with most using a popular vote.
[53:09] The original system made the chief executive most responsible to the states.
[54:19] The Senate was responsible for the states, and governors would call their state senators to influence legislation before the 17th Amendment.
[55:42] The federal government was created by the states. The House of Representatives is most accountable to the people, while the judicial branch is independent.
[57:05] The founding fathers didn't intend to create three equal branches. Some branches were designed to have more power than others, and there are four ways to determine which branch has more power.
[59:42] The four bodies of government include the House which is the most powerful and accountable, followed by the Executive, Senate, and Supreme Court.
[01:01:03] The Executive Branch was seen as little more than a monarchy, with the President executing and managing the government. The House and Senate make policy and law.
[01:02:38] The founding fathers created a mixed form of government, with a republic where the law is higher than man and individual organizational sections that hopefully get the best of all worlds.
[01:04:56] The founding fathers divided the different branches of government according to different forms of church government to satisfy all three denominational influences in the government.
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 decreased production. Winther continues by demonstrating the impact of varying governmental forms on the real economy.
We explore concepts such as distributional and motivational loss. Mike dives into discussions on charity, the socialist model, and biblical principles aimed at preventing the vicious cycle of loss. He also outlines the reasons socialism is considered flawed, both biblically and in practical terms. Eventually, he comes back to the importance of property rights.
You’ll Learn:
[00:43] One family on the island is highly productive. They are rich. There's also a poor family who isn't as productive.
[01:40] Our system then becomes socialist where we take from the rich and give to the poor.
[02:35] We then have to audit the productivity of every family on the island.
[03:27] One person is in charge of redistributing wealth.
[04:45] Removing one family to be the redistributors of wealth creates less for everyone, because that family isn't productive anymore.
[07:59] 40% of Americans are employed redistributing wealth.
[08:37] Socialist economies have motivational loss and distribution loss.
[11:31] The Socialist model for taking care of the poor reduces economic capacity.
[12:10] We need to understand why there is poverty.
[14:24] Socialism violates property rights.
[15:07] Three of The Ten Commandments actually assume a positive role of private property.
[23:14] Mike discusses a Biblical example of voluntary gifts of wealth.
[23:57] The free market is voluntary. Karl Marx and socialism are mandatory.
[24:09] Reasons why socialism is wrong: 1. It violates property rights. 2. Requires the government to operate outside its bounds. 3. There's no God in the system.
[27:29] Why are people poor? They're poor because of poor governmental systems and the economy's created by those systems.
[28:14] How to create poverty. Have a government that makes it hard to accumulate tools or excess production. Without property rights and holding title, improvements can lead to confiscation.
[30:03] Mike talks about the dangers of inflating the money supply.
[31:08] Contracts need to be enforced in order to grow wealth.
[32:00] We are poor with socialist governments. We are poor with no property rights.
[32:40] Our founding fathers said the most important right was the right to property.
[36:56] Governmental regulations can sometimes be used to pass the buck.
[37:50] Having the government solve every problem is the definition of statism.
[38:44] A Laissez-faire economy is a leave us alone economy or free market.
[44:16] How a market economy is able to actually create goods. The term is called the invisible hand or the hand of God.
Mike Winther talks about the biblical principles of education. This lecture on high school economics was given in June of 2012. He covers the importance of teaching solid economic concepts beginning even earlier than high school.
It’s Mike’s goal to bring awareness of how much the bible has to say about economics, government, and education. He talks about the ethical and moral issues of economics, how monetary issues are moral issues, and biblical education in financial issues.
You’ll Learn:
[02:07] Economics is an ethical and moral issue.
[02:59] Should we make decisions based on practicality or morality? Economic issues are ethical and moral issues.
[03:50] Economics or the dismal sciences. Christians should love economics, because the key concepts come from the Bible.
[04:50] Economics is the study of the rules of how we deal with resources, assets, and distribution of assets.
[05:16] Proverbs 11:1. The Lord abhors dishonest scales.
[06:30] We are obligated to help the poor and the most important way we can do that is with a good economic system.
[08:35] Microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics is the study of the economics of a household or a single business. Macroeconomics is the study of the entire economy.
[14:33] It's proper for the government to punish involuntary transactions. The free market says if it's involuntary, the government shouldn't be involved. Socialism prefers the government to regulate transactions.
[15:06] Socialism is when the government either owns or controls capital and/or redistribution of resources.
[22:34] The Ten Commandments assume private property. Socialism is an affront to private property.
[28:23] Thanksgiving is a celebration of being obedient to God in economics.
[29:27] The biblical economic system is the free-market system.
[30:01] How to present the free market view to children. A voluntary trade like purchasing a soda where both parties benefit.
[35:38] Price tells the market whether to make more or less of something.
[39:11] The law of supply and demand. Speculators drive prices up.
[41:13] Parents shouldn't outsource education too much. We need to know the subjects too.
[42:48] The Federal Reserve is The Creature from Jekyll Island.
[43:39] There are biblical principles of how we should tax or be taxed.
[45:12] There's value in understanding your opponent's position by educating yourself and reading things likeThe Communist Manifesto.
This is a pre-recorded lecture by Mike Winther on the topic of terrorism. Mike begins by exploring the definition of terrorism. There is no universally agreed-upon definition, as different individuals and groups define terrorism differently based on their perspectives and circumstances.
Topics covered include the distinctions between terrorism and crime, as well as the broader motivations behind acts of terror. These motivations may range from promoting regime change and influencing the policies of existing governments, to bolstering the current regime. Terrorism has been a constant throughout history. The more knowledgeable we are about it, the better governmental decisions we can make.
You’ll Learn:
[02:46] Mike talks about the differences between terrorism and crime.
[04:50] Most terrorism has a bigger picture motivation. They want publicity and to promote fear.
[06:37] There's nothing new about this phenomenon.
[07:36] The three motivations of terrorism. These include destabilizing an existing government. An example of this would be the brownshirts in Germany.
[13:13] Another motivation is to alter the policies of the existing government. The third goal of terrorism is to strengthen the existing government.
[14:31] Mike talks about the Patriot Act and giving up liberties for safety.
[18:25] The fear component of terrorism can't be ignored.
[23:37] Is terrorism always wrong?
[26:25] It's also almost always a state sponsored activity.
[29:46] We should evaluate our policies towards government-sponsored terrorism.
[32:55] Does collateral damage make the United States government guilty of terrorism? This is such a complicated topic with so many questions swirling around?
[33:12] Takeaways: 1. Terrorism is not new. 2. It's almost always state-sponsored. 3. It almost always seeks policy or government change. 4. The desired action is in the reaction.
The bible is filled with principles that help us understand what the proper role of government should be. Mike dives into some of the many principles that he has discovered during his biblical research. He starts with the nature of man, comparing the world view of Plato to the Apostle Paul.
He then goes on to talk about the nature of government, decentralization of power, god-ordained institutions, personal property, and submission and rebellion to authority.This lecture was given on July 18th, 2011 as part of an IPS Government and Economics Conference hosted in Modesto, California for Christian educators.
You’ll Learn:
[01:35] The first scriptural principle that impacts government is the nature of man.
[03:17] Plato's Republic is his explanation of utopia. A republic is broadly referred to as a system of government.
[06:14] Plato begins with an assumption that is opposite of the Judeo Christian doctrine.
[09:01] The biblical model says that man is corruptible. Power tends to corrupt.
[10:05] Decentralize power, because you can't trust mankind.
[10:55] The strategy of God versus the strategy of Satan.
[16:38] We are seeing a centralization of power. This is Satan's agenda.
[17:30] 2. The nature of government. The three god-ordained governmental institutions are family government, church government, and civil government.
[19:52] Each form of government is given tools of discipline including the rod, excommunication, and the sword.
[22:03] The biblical model of the civil government is force. The potential for abuse is far greater.
[23:53] 3. Decentralization of power. 1st Samuel chapter 8. No tax should be above the 10% tithe.
[33:48] 4. The three god-ordained institutions of family government, church government, and civil government.
[34:08] 5. The importance of property. God is a god of private property. The Ten Commandments assume private property ownership.
[38:03] Some people interpret Acts 5 of the New Testament to endorse socialism. There's a difference between voluntary charity and property being taken by force.
[42:18] 6. Proper submission and rebellion to authority. Romans chapter 13 and 1st Peter chapter 2.
[43:23] All authority comes from God. Ruling authorities rule as God's servants.
[48:30] The difference between the French Revolution and the American Revolution.
[49:09] 7. Specific rules and guidelines that the government should do.
Mike Winther talks about laying the groundwork to address poverty. He starts off with mindset perspectives of the God ordained institutions of charity, government, church, and family. He covers the difference between principle and practically and how it affects decisions.
Practical considerations should be taken into account after we are sure none of God’s principles are being violated. Mike shares evidence behind how having full knowledge and following principles will also lead to practical benefits. These sound principle based decisions can lead to poverty reduction.
You’ll Learn:
[00:57] The difference between principle and practicality. We know that the process can have a huge effect on the outcome.
[01:59] We can make decisions based on pragmatics or take the principled approach.
[03:22] The principled approach is asking what the underlying principle is behind a decision.
[06:33] Practical decision making should be secondary to principal decision making. One of the most important principles of decision-making should be whether it violates God's word or not.
[10:43] How people tend to look for facts that will support their desired outcome.
[13:01] Security and poverty are the pawns in the chess game of how much government we have. We need to be aware of this political perspective of using people as pawns and playing with their lives.
[14:11] A strategy for big government would be to go to the media and convince Americans that they aren't secure enough or focus on the plight of the poor.
[16:57] There are four governments discussed in God's word. The individual government or we are told to govern ourselves. The three other governments are collectives. They include family government, church government, and civil government.
[23:21] Sometimes the best way to deal with an issue is to allow natural consequences to take effect. Not every problem needs a solution. Question #1. Do we need to take action? Which institution should take action? Is there a principle violated?
[25:18] Biblical principles for charity. What the government should and should not do.
[29:10] God's word has a lot to say about the proper role of civil government. We need to look for it.
[30:11] The civil government should execute the judicial role, national defense, and punishment of crimes against personal property.
[36:17] There's a line of things that are proper for the government to do and things that are improper for the government to do.
[37:17] We need to look for God's patterns. How to question whether something is the proper role of government.
[39:34] The argument of restitution as opposed to imprisonment.
[40:27] What God's word says about charity. Who should get charity? Who should get it? Deuteronomy chapter 10:17.
[42:00] Deuteronomy 14:8. Every third year there's a tithe for the widow, orphan, Levite, the alien. Charity is done voluntarily.
[50:01] Ezekiel 16:49. The primary sin they laid upon Sodom and Gomorrah was that they were wealthy and didn't take care of the poor.
[50:54] We have an obligation to take care of the poor. Families and churches are the primary institutions for charity. God is glorified when the church gives aid to the needy.
This is Part 1 of Foreign Aid: A Biblical Perspective. Mike Winther is a huge fan of debate for thinking, learning, and understanding issues. In this address, he speaks to potential debate participants about the political science approach to foreign aid. He raises questions and topics to help dig deeper into issues such as the proper role of government.
He explores what the government should and shouldn’t do. He talks about why these topics aren’t always explored in public schools and colleges. He also gives pointers on which questions to dive deeper into such as analyzing the use of the money and focusing on the source. This conversation takes us past the practical approach and explores the philosophical and biblical approach.
You’ll Learn:
[00:52] A big picture view is good for the real world. It doesn't always supply an argument for debates.
[02:02] Everything in our lives is affected by political science. What is the proper role of government or what should the government do?
[03:42] Big government liberals don't usually dive into the question of what is the proper role of government, because they don't want to discuss the improper role of government.
[04:31] Is it the proper role of the government to give foreign aid?
[05:18] Analyze the use of the money. What is the source of the money? There are powerful arguments focusing on the source of the money.
[06:55] How the government gets money includes taxes, inflation, and borrowing.
[07:47] Borrowing. The bible discourages debt. When the government borrows, there is less money available for others to borrow.
[10:16] Printing money reduces the value of other money or inflation.
[15:34] Is it legitimate for the government to take from one person and give to another? Is redistribution of income the proper role for the government?
[16:32] Biblically the government only does three things: adjudicate disputes, law enforcement, and national defense.
[21:51] It's not a proper role of the government to redistribute wealth and assets.
[23:59] Mike breaks down the definition of the free market which includes voluntary exchange and property rights.
[26:43] Socialism consists of limiting voluntary exchange and not having absolute ownership of property.
[28:54] We can't give foreign aid without taking somebody's property.
[29:50] Mike talks about the different classifications of property law.
[31:59] What economic system do we have to be under to give foreign aid?
[34:57] When thinking about foreign aid, analyze the economic system in view.
Mike Winther talks about the biblical principles of education in this lecture given in June of 2012 in Colorado. This lecture is all about teaching biblical principles over practicality. Everything we do in life and every decision we make can be based on either principle or practicality.
We’ve been trained to think pragmatically as opposed to a principled fashion. When educating for the Glory of God, we need to think of principled concepts. In the Bible, we can think of things it tells us to do, and things it tells us not to do in order to make decisions and base teaching off of biblical principles.
You’ll Learn:
[02:00] Educate for the Glory of God.
[04:00] We've been trained to think pragmatically as opposed to in a principled fashion.
[04:23] Let's look at things the Bible tells us to do and things the Bible tells us not to do.
[05:01] Deuteronomy 6. Biblical principles should be impressed upon our children. This is the starting point for education.
[07:42] Things we shouldn't do. Don't make an idol. Anything that supersedes our worship of God.
[10:07] Homeschoolers need to be careful that education and SAT scores aren't worshiped. We need to worship God.
[12:39] We need to be careful that we treat people the same way we want to be treated when it comes to educational beliefs. We also need to look at how we fund the educational systems.
[18:26] Education for Christians needs to be Christian not necessarily homeschooling. The burden to teach should fall primarily upon the parents.
[19:26] Homeschool families need to take advantage of available resources but not hand off all of the responsibilities of education.
[20:45] What do we teach? We need to teach obedience and civil behavior. We should catechize in the foundation of our faith. We need to teach students their callings.
[27:45] Our general calling is what we do in life to support Christ. Our personal calling is what we do to support ourselves.
[30:11] Matthew 28. Disciple the Nations.
[35:32] Teach the broad necessities of government and the big things that impact society.
[36:03] Our teaching methods should be Christ-Centered.
[37:20] Why education should be private. Is public education free market or socialism? Education should be Christ-Centered and private.
[39:11] Education should be repetitive. Important material needs to be repeated.
[41:11] Have a good family library and easy access to books.
[43:04] The classical model of education. Three stages of learning including the grammar stage, the logic stage, and the rhetoric stage.
[46:26] Is education a right? We have the right to pursue something. Having a right to something doesn't mean someone has to provide it for you.
[52:43] Children need to be educated with a complete worldview.
[53:55] College decisions for the homeschool community. Be cautious with college decisions.
Think about when you get discouraged. It can be depressing seeing the difference between what’s ideal and what’s actually going on. This is why Mike Winther walks us through encouragement for the battle. This episode is about waking up with a cause to fight for.
Mike shares five points that we need to know in order to attack the gates of hell and let the church prevail. He talks about our need to know the truth, our need to know the proper role of government, not surrendering principles, and more. This is a fun lecture filled with history, stories, and scripture to help us join the battle.
You’ll Learn:
[01:35] Mike talks about the journey that the Israelites took out of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. He makes a correlation between the Israelites shrinking from the challenge of taking the promised land and our challenges dealing with modern day politics.
[04:44] Our enemies are afraid of us, and yet we lack the faith to go into the promised land.
[05:26] Matthew chapter 16. Who do you say that I am?
[08:23] In the old world, cities had walls and gates for protection. The most vulnerable place is the gate. The gates of hell are on the defense. The Church of Jesus Christ is on the offense.
[10:18] The pilgrims had a philosophy that the culture of Christianity was going to take over the world. The gates of hell will not prevail against Jesus's Church.
[11:02] 1. If we are going to be attacking the gates of hell we need to know the truth.
[14:03] Mike talks about the three God ordained institutions of family government, church government, and civil government.
[14:38] 2. We need to know the proper role of civil government. There are two biblical roles for the civil magistrate one is to adjudicate disputes and the other one is to protect rights.
[19:24] We don't have a right to something that violates someone else's rights.
[24:48] Mike talks about the presumption of innocence and the burden of proof being on the government.
[28:32] According to Blackstone, it's better for 10 guilty to go free than for one innocent person to go to jail.
[30:40] 3. Don't surrender the principle.
[34:18] 4. Join the battle.
[35:42] Mike talks about causes of problems in America including our educational system, media, peer groups, and dependence.
[41:13] We need to solidify our philosophies, promote private education, and focus on the media. We need to vote with our wallets and not support the media that tears our country apart.
[44:39] Mike talks about Samuel Adams and John Hancock and the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
[50:21] A pastor preached the whole counsel of God, and the militia had target practice afterwards.
Transforming a Nation, Part 1: Understanding the Problem
01:09:31
This lecture is the first in a two-part series titled Transforming a Nation. It was delivered on March 20th, 2016, at Central Valley Presbyterian Church. It discusses principles around elections and voting. Sometimes we struggle with our role as believers regarding the civil government. Some of us wonder if we should vote. If we do vote, who should we vote for? Does being a Christian automatically make you a Republican? Am I a weird Christian if I vote for a different party candidate?
We have practical questions rolling around. We also have big picture questions like how does the whole process work? What is the function of the parties? If you live in California, does voting even matter? Mike Winther answers these questions and more. All the while making decisions that are rooted in scripture. He starts the lecture with the importance of taking action, but we need to be cautious that the action we take is the right action. Then he dives into everything election-related.
You’ll Learn:
[04:36] We can't just sit on the sidelines. We need to take action and do something.
[06:05] When transforming a nation, we need to understand the nature of the problem.
[07:17] The views of the presidency by the founding fathers and by people of today are very different.
[09:29] According to the Constitution all laws need to come from the legislative branch.
[12:09] According to the Constitution, the president can negotiate treaties but they have no effect unless they are voted on by the Congress.
[12:42] In the Constitutional model the legislature makes the law, and the executive branch enforces it.
[13:29] The Constitution also doesn't give our federal government the power to manage the economy. It actually creates a free market economy.
[15:21] All of the modern presidents violate the Constitution with impunity. The government has more power than it should, and the power is shifting between the three institutions.
[17:32] The problem of labels. Most of the labels are one of two choices. It's my hope that people begin to read the old writers who really understood the truth. Read the founding fathers. All of the founding fathers described themselves as liberal. The terms liberal and conservative are relative terms not absolute terms.
[23:14] Our political parties sway at the whim of public opinion. Both parties are moving more towards big government.
[30:04] We need to understand the principles of good government. IPS teaches a 10-hour course that teaches people the proper role of government.
[30:58] Paul believed in the sinful nature of man. Plato believed that good men should be given unbridled power such as a public school system. One is biblical, and one is not!
[33:31] Our founding fathers argued against the Platonic view, because they were in favor of the Judeo-Christian view. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
[34:30] This is why the founding fathers instituted the idea of a numerated government.
[37:08] We also have separation of powers with the executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch. There's also separation between federal, state, and city governments.
[38:06] There's also institutional separation between the God ordained institutions. These are the family government, church government, and civil government.
[38:53] Decentralization keeps as much power local as possible.
[40:05] We need to understand the nature of government. It's not reason. It's not eloquence. It is force. We have a civil government to make people do things that they don't want to do.
[49:59] If the electorate isn't educated and doesn't study, then we can't expect to get an A+ president from the election.
[51:08] Framing the education of America is a long-term strategy for winning elections. It's too late to study the night before the final exam.
[52:55] To change the strategy of elections, all we have to do is change the hearts and minds of the church. 2nd Chronicles.
[54:02] We need to know the biblical principles in order to identify the good candidates.
Mike Winther lays the foundation of where our rights and authorities come from. He talks about how everything we deal with in government comes down to our rights. He talks about the political context of rights and how it’s what we are ethically allowed to do. He also explains why morality can be a relative term.
He also shares an exercise where he used logic to get students to conclude that God is the source of our rights. We learn about evolutionary thinking in law, government authority, and the rights of individuals. He also shares a process of elimination to conclude where authority comes from.
You’ll Learn:
[01:07] We all want our rights, but do we really know what they are? Almost everything we deal with in government comes down to rights.
[02:53] In a political context, rights are everything that you are ethically allowed to do.
[04:17] Do you have the right to rob a bank? No, because that would infringe on someone else's rights and it's not ethical.
[05:34] The morality of a society isn't the measure of its goodness or badness. The measure of morality is whether it's normal.
[06:22] Depending on the society, morality can be a relative term.
[08:01] We don't have a right to things that are unethical. The only reliable source of right and wrong is the creator of the universe.
[12:35] If we know the source of our rights, we can determine how they should be used.
[13:03] Mike makes an apologetic or an argument for the existence of God through the lens of political science.
[21:28] If the Government gives you rights. Government can take away those rights. If rights come from a majority, minorities don't have protections. Do we want the Constitution to be our source of rights?
[25:45] Mike gets to the argument that God needs to be the source of our rights.
[27:27] Every academic discipline is really an evangelical discipline. All truth points back to the Creator.
[29:47] Secured rights need to come from a non-human source.
[34:04] Social organization varies depending on biological evolution.
[35:04] Evolutionary thinking in the law is thinking that the law should reflect the society that it is in.
[35:49] Rights and authority are flip sides of the same coin. Government should only have authority to keep me from violating someone else's rights. It shouldn't stop me from exercising my rights.
[36:41] Government shouldn't interfere with the rights of individuals.
[37:10] Authority means you are authorized to do something. Process elimination of authority. 1. There is no authority. 2. Authority comes from power. 3. Government comes from the collective of the people. 4. Authority comes from the individual. 5. Authority comes from God in secret. 6. Authority comes from God through the outlined powers in the scriptures.
[48:23] We need to have a government who can adjudicate disputes.
[52:01] Our concept of rights and our concept of authority need to mesh together. They both need to come from the same source.
[54:37] We were the first nation founded on the principle that our rights come from God. We also need to understand that the role of government is determined by God.
We continue the four-part series about fighting the Lord’s battle. Scripture tells us that there are three God ordained government institutions. They are family government, church government, and civil government. Today’s focus is family government. This teaching is part of a lecture by Mike Winther given at the Big Valley Grace Community Church men’s ministry on February 8, 2021.
Mike talks about the purpose of the family. Families are to be protectors and providers. They are also for promoting purity, procreation, and nurturing. Training and instructing children is also an important role of the family. Service to community, check and a balance on the other institutions, and attacking the gates of hell are also important family roles. Mike dives into all of this and more!
You’ll Learn:
[01:33] Christian men need to be warriors.
[02:45] We are going to talk about the three god-ordained government institutions in this lecture series. They are family government, church government, and civil government.
[03:29] Martin Luther was willing to attack the gates of hell. He persisted on holding on to what he knew was true.
[04:46] The purpose of the family. 1 Timothy 5 and Proverbs 31.
[05:30] Material provision is a primary job of the family.
[06:17] Provision of safety. Luke 11:21 and Nehemiah 4:13
[06:55] Promote purity. Matthew 18:6
[08:53] Procreation. Psalms 127:5 and 1 Corinthians 7. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Children are a blessing.
[10:06] Nurture. Titus 2 chapters 3 and 5 also 1st Thessalonians 2 verse 7 and forward.
[11:21] Training and instruction of children. Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs 22:6.
[13:43] Service to community. Proverbs 31 God's welfare program starts with the family.
[14:39] Family is a check and a balance on the other institutions.
[16:23] It's the purpose of the family to attack the gates of hell.
[17:19] Satan is attacking the family on a lot of fronts. Satan and the world have confused authority. His goal is to have us reject legitimate authority.
[18:33] Confusing love is another tool of Satan. Love is a commitment.
[20:30] Premarital sex is another tool of Satan. He reverses things.
[21:19] Satan destroys discipline.
[22:31] Other things include damaging peer influence, media, introducing dangerous worldviews and isms, and education.
[26:47] The bigger world view the kids have, the less likely they are to wander away.
[28:22] The family strikes back. Families need to embrace biblical views of authority, love, sex, economics, discipline, and education.
[30:29] We should focus on Christian education.
[34:03] There is power in families.
[37:30] Let's make our children world changers and our families world-changing families.
In this ongoing discussion of Biblical Principles of Government, Mike Winther talks about the ongoing battle over history. He begins with a tribute to King Massasoit and explains how the pilgrims bought land from the Native Americans. This tribute eventually evolved into a plaque commemorating the conflict between the pilgrims and the Native Americans, highlighting two different narratives. There is a battle over history.
We learn about some interesting aspects of English and early American history from the pilgrims, legal scholars, and early church leaders. Mike emphasizes that in order to have liberty and freedom, these concepts must exist in the minds of the people. He then turns to America and the battle for heroes, starting with the unique characteristics of George Washington. This discussion provides a wonderful look into our history, all tying back to Biblical principles.
You’ll Learn:
[00:40] The Mayflower II is a replica of the Mayflower. There is a statue of Massasoit . A symbol of people who held justice higher than their race.
[02:36] We don't evangelize a compromising truth or a compromising God.
[03:02] Land was purchased by the pilgrims who understood property rights.
[04:08] National Day of Mourning, and Thanksgiving as a reminder of genocide.
[08:26] Pilgrims founded Harvard as a university to teach pastors and Christians and create a new level of leadership.
[09:36] Mike explains how Charles I was a tyrant.
[12:09] The brief that John Cooke helped create to justify sentencing Charles I.
[14:13] The people wanted a king, and Charles II had a reign of terror unlike anything that his father had done.
[15:10] The battle for heroes. George Washington was unique.
[15:49] The French and Indian War. This was the French and the Indians against the colonists and the English.
[21:01] Mike talks about George Washington's miraculous survival in the war.
[28:14] Looking back and making historical figures heroes to suit our political agenda.
[34:32] Our heroes matter. Selling ideas by selling our heroes.
[35:17] Industrialization of the 1800s. A lot of the population was moving out west.
[36:05] In order to get the Transcontinental Railroad, the government created the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Companies to build railroads.
[37:17] The greatest subsidy was the US Army which was used to clear the Indians from the land.
[40:16] Whenever anybody tells you a project is too big for the private sector, don't believe it.
[43:01] There's a lot of revisionist history out there. Both sides accuse the other side of revising history.
This is part three of a four-part series on fighting the Lord’s Battles. The focus of this episode will be on church government. This teaching is taken from a lecture by Mike Winther at the Big Valley Grace Community Church men’s ministry on February 15, 2021. It’s time for Christians to get off the sidelines and engage in the battle.
Mike talks about the role of the church in modern battles of today. He talks about the key jobs and responsibilities of the church such as maintaining doctrinal purity, appointing leaders, being a disciple, and teaching God’s word. Encouraging each other is another job of the church. We also talk about gathering together, church discipline, caring for the needy, sacraments, and being a check and balance on other authorities.
You’ll Learn:
[01:42] In 1775, a revolution was brewing. The British assigned General Gage to take Massachusetts back. Samuel Adams and John Hancock were on the run. The British planned a surprise attack for Lexington.
[03:06] Spies discovered the British, and Paul Revere went on his ride. There were also two other riders who aren't as famous.
[03:48] Pastor Jonas Clark was hiding Adams and Hancock. The British showed up and the gun fight didn't go well for the colonists.
[06:10] The Concord engagement went better for the colonists and the British took a lot of losses. This is the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
[06:56] The hero of this story is Pastor Jonas Clark. He trained his people on civil liberty and defense.
[07:24] What is the role of the church?
[07:37] Key jobs and responsibilities of Christ's Church. Maintain doctrinal purity. Leadership of the church is not supposed to be a democracy.
[09:46] Titus 1:5 Leaders were appointed, not elected. 1st Timothy 1 through 7 and 1st Timothy Chapter 3 Verse 8 through 13.
[10:37] The Bible is not politically correct. Satan chose to make the world adversarial to the Bible.
[11:12] Another role of the church is to teach members how to be Saints. Ephesians 4 verse 12. Teach God's word. 2nd Timothy 3 through 13.
[11:53] Another job of the church is to encourage each other. Hebrews 10:24.
[12:23] Gathering together. Hebrews 10:25. Discipline. Matthew 18. Caring for the needy.
[14:06] The church also participates in sacraments and is a check and balance on other authorities.
[15:26] Leading a church. The church isn't where it needs to be and most of the blame lies with us.
[16:47] Satan has attacked the church. He's changed the church's view of its mission. He's convinced the church that it should be a defensive tool and not an offensive weapon.
[22:32] Satan has also attacked the church by vain philosophies.
[25:03] When's the last time you heard a sermon on the creation evolution debate or any other controversial topics?
[26:50] The modern Church isn't fully prepared with all of the tools. We need to better equip our members and our families.
[27:52] We need to engage in the battle using every tool available.
[29:52] A partial solution to the problems we have with our schools is Christian education.
[36:01] God's hands are all over the events that happened in the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
There is a mathematical aspect to economics, but it's not the fundamental core. Mathematics is just about taking what we observe and know and reducing it to a formula. The underlying principles of economics are actually the fun part and not mathematically oriented. Mike Winther focuses on these underlying principles in this lecture.
He spends the first part teaching us economics. The best way to learn is to teach, and his focus for the next part of this lecture is teaching us how to teach economics. The rules of how you run a household, business, or nation is the study of economics. Mike kicks things off talking about micro and macro economics as he helps increase our understanding while making economics fun.
You’ll Learn:
[01:36] Economics or the rule or law of the house.
[03:03] Microeconomics is the study of a household or a business or industry. Macroeconomics is the economics of an entire industry or nation.
[04:42] How economic and fiscal issues are also moral issues.
[08:45] The concept of capital. It's a means of production. It's also excess production or profit.
[11:58] How productivity is a spiritual and economic obligation.
[17:48] We are better off having more goods and services, not more money.
[23:31] The free market where people buy and trade at will.
[24:42] Socialism was prescribed and advocated by Karl Marx. Communism is a subset of socialism.
[28:02] Degrees of free market versus degrees of socialism.
[28:31] Socialist capitalism is called monopolistic capitalism. The free market is competitive capitalism.
[28:52] With capitalism both parties benefit from any voluntary exchange.
[33:09] God ordains and speaks highly of private property and ownership.
[36:01] Karl Marx steps to socialize a nation. A lot of them have to do with property rights.
[37:27] Some of the steps include abolition of property and land, a heavy progressive or graduated income tax, abolition of all right of inheritance, confiscation of property, centralization of credit, centralize transportation, factories and production owned by the state, organized workforces, redistribution of the population, free education for all children.
[42:23] How socialism is actually incompatible with nature.
[47:16] Inflating the currency reduces the value of people's savings.
[47:48] If we increase the money supply by 10%, prices will go up by 10%.
[48:17] Milton Friedman and The Chicago School of Economics.
[48:42] The Austrian School is the most free market school of economics.
[49:13] Time to talk about teaching economics. If we want our kids to learn this, we need to be interested in it ourselves.
[50:00] An example of teaching kids the idea of mutual benefit.
This is a recording of a class that Mike Winther gave on Biblical Principles of Government. He kicks off the show by sharing his background and how he was raised in a politically active family. He became interested in politics at a young age and was reading works by our founding fathers in junior high.
Mike shares how he got a degree in political science, focused on debate, and had a goal to change the world. He worked in multiple political campaigns with the goal of making a difference and achieving positive change. He discovered that it was hard to find candidates that he trusted, and when he found them, it was impossible for them to win an election.
He discovered that changing hearts and minds was key to having the best candidates and getting them elected. He talks about relativism and absolutes and finding the bright line or where you ethically cross. How do we come to our conclusions and why? The Bible has answers to these questions. Mike breaks down how to follow biblical principles and understand how they pertain to our government.
You’ll Learn:
[00:39] Mike shares his background and why this class exists. He was born in a Christian family in a small town in Idaho. His parents were very active in government and public affairs.
[01:54] When he was 8 or 9 years old, he wanted to go to an economics conference with his dad.
[04:14] A powerful time to learn is when someone is in their youth.
[05:03] Mike's parents were very involved in the pro-life movement and had film strips about being pro-life, and Mike ran the slides as a kid. He ended up watching a lot of these materials repeatedly.
[06:59] He was also involved in debate and majored in political science.
[07:38] His first candidate was the Aqua Velva man.
[09:51] We can't win office without people whose hearts and minds are sensitive to our persuasion.
[10:22] Our society needs more work understanding good principles of government.
[11:42] According to a large survey, people wanted help with voting like good Christians. The course, Christian Citizenship was created.
[13:10] Mike eventually began the nonprofit the Institute for Principal Studies.
[13:39] Education is a precursor to action.
[18:14] Relativism is a philosophical concept that says there are no absolutes.
[21:10] Finding the bright line.
[26:04] Discussing philosophy and the nature of man with friends and neighbors. Using the decision tree and persuasion.
[28:46] Finding the real source of a debate.
[31:51] The God ordained government institutions in the Bible consisting of self-government, family government, church government, and civil government.
[37:10] The first fork in the road with civil government is the creationism and evolution debate.
[41:37] If biological evolution is true then there must be social evolution. If so, our laws will need to evolve.
[46:05] Finding the real reason for the Holocaust and Hitler being a follower of Charles Darwin.
[46:56] Ideas have consequences. Evolutionary thinking can be dangerous.
This lecture marks the continuation of Mike Winther's series on the Biblical Principles of Government. In the first session, Mike introduced himself and discussed his approach to influencing hearts and minds, the importance of political engagement, and the role of ethics and clear boundaries. He highlighted the Bible's capacity to guide us through these issues.
This time, Mike explores the philosophical and theological foundations of order, rights, and authority, making the case that intelligence is crucial for bringing order out of chaos. He insists that the concept of a Creator is inseparable from the origins of rights and authority. By comparing different sources of rights, like government, constitutional laws, and divine intention, he strongly supports the view that rights are granted by God.
He emphasizes that without recognizing a divine source, the basis for rights and authority becomes unstable leading to chaos. He also talks about the dangers of granting excessive power to governments. He argues that governmental authority and individual rights both come from God. He takes us back to the biblical principles that lead to an organized and balanced society.
You’ll Learn:
[00:36] Chaos or order and disorder. You can't create order from randomness without adding intelligence.
[01:21] The creation and evolution debate and the idea of gender. The debate over the origins of man.
[03:14] When we talk about the government, we also talk about rights. If we're going to know what they are. We need to know where they came from.
[04:18] Mike shares a lecture he shared with high school kids that leads to the creator.
[06:07] He began with rights and their source, because the source determines the use.
[07:02] The source determines the use. Who is our source? God.
[07:56] Sources of rights. Government? Majority? Constitution and Bill of Rights? No rights? Space aliens? God?
[09:39] If the government gives you your rights, who can take them away?
[10:36] The Source determines the use in all of these cases.
[15:53] The last two choices are either space aliens or God.
[16:20] This exercise has never not produced the desired outcome.
[18:08] There's a pragmatic way to lead someone to say what kind of world you want to live in.
[20:14] If evolution is true, then everything is the survival of the fittest. Even the human level.
[21:33] Source of authority. We want the government to have proper authority.
[23:44] The people aren't necessarily your source of government authority.
[28:43] Taking by force is theft. Where does the authority come from?
[30:15] Authority basically describes what the government can and can't do.
[31:10] God is the author of authority and he tells us through scripture.
[34:10] What John Adams said about our rights. Rights are derived from God.
[35:24] We are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.
[37:16] The source of our rights must be in the same place as the source of our authority.
[37:39] Rights are liberties and powers that the people have. Authority is the power that the government has.
[38:37] We need the same origin for government authority and our rights.
[39:13] As Christians, we need to be clear on God's word.
[41:18] A caution about giving the government more power.
[41:52] Should we purchase security by spending our rights?
There was a time in our recent history when two people having a dispute could change another’s mind, by convincing them that what they were proposing was unconstitutional. People respected and obeyed the Constitution. Mike Winther discusses the U.S. Constitution and whether it is a static or living document.
He talks about common problems with current understanding of the Constitution including not knowing what it says, not understanding what it says, or just not caring what it says. He also dives into Constitutional learning. He weaves in current opinion and always goes back to a biblical and scriptural basis for having a principled perspective.
You’ll Learn:
[00:36] Three problems with the American understanding of the Constitution today. 1. Most Americans don't know what the Constitution says. 2. Those that know what it says don't know how to properly interpret it. 3. Then there are those who know what it says and know what it means, but don't agree with it.
[01:15] Decades ago it was very common for most people to support the Constitution.
[01:59] Constitutional learning. The Constitutional law class. This teaches what the courts think about the Constitution.
[03:10] Teaching about the mechanics of the Constitution can be more valuable than Constitutional law. Understanding the principles the Constitution is based on is even more valuable.
[04:09] Philosophies of the Constitution. The original intent. We should maintain the document as it was intended by the founders. This is also called the strict constructionist view.
[05:02] The living breathing document view says that the Constitution needs to be a living and evolving document.
[07:51] How evolutionary theory affects our law and our Constitution.
[10:02] We need to train our kids about the biblical sources of principles. We need to get away from labels and look at the heart of the issue.
[12:36] The source of anything determines its use.
[18:33] There is no discipline more God ordained in the Bible than the civil government.
[19:29] America was unique in identifying that rights come from God.
[25:11] In ancient times authority came from God to Moses to the judges.
[28:43] The better way to govern is to give a list of what can be done or enumerated powers.
[34:02] The Founding Fathers believed that man is corruptible and wanted decentralized power.
[37:02] The states created the federal government, not the other way around.
[39:26] The states granted the government enumerated powers.
[40:56] The states are the source of the Constitution and the ultimate arbiter of power.
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, indicating which source of authority each tends to favor. He also explores the differences between conservatives and liberals, and addresses the nuances of neo-conservatism within the contexts of Republican and Democratic ideologies. The aim is to transcend labels and maintain a focus on the issues. This series represents a thought-provoking journey through our political systems, beliefs, and historical contexts.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] God is a source of authority. We know that through scripture. The Bible should also be the source of family government authority.
[02:00] Church and civil government also get its authority from God.
[02:26] Biblically church, family, and state are three separate institutions.
[03:12] In the Bible, kings receive wrath from doing the duty of God's priest.
[04:21] The debate is about the source of authority.
[04:50] Some want to build a wall between civil authority and God.
[05:59] If you favor small government, you're probably happy with God being the source of authority. Big government wants the majority to be the source of authority.
[07:58] For society to run well, we need good family government, good church government, and good civil government.
[10:49] On the left, we have communists and socialists. On the right, we have dictators and Nazis.
[11:47] Relativism gets us with the use of language.
[16:33] A conservative is one who conserves. Liberals want change.
[26:43] Neo conservatives will accept big government and not be shy about it.
Mike Winther walks us through taxes and revolution in this lecture. He takes us on a journey back into the colonial period of America. He unravels how taxes, tariffs, and other pivotal factors stirred tensions between the American colonists and the British government. He digs into key historical events that left indelible marks on our nation's narrative. He talks about how the principles of hope and the recognition of Jesus Christ's Lordship played influential roles in the American colonists' fervent fight for independence.
Then Mike talks about finances. He discusses the qualities of contentment and the necessity to appreciate what we have while resisting the want for more money. He also shares why and how we need to rethink taxes. He discusses the role of debt in our lives, property rights, and charity. He talks about how biblical perspectives applied to the ideas and values of our founding fathers and how we can benefit from the same today.
You’ll Learn:
[1:30] Overview of the British colonial system and how it led to tensions between the American colonists and the British government.
[4:30] Why the Puritans and Separatists came to America.
[7:30] The early colonies and charters from the king.
[10:30] The king had absolute control and searched ships whenever he wanted. The Townshend Acts gave him this authority.
[13:30] How trade restrictions laid the groundwork for the American Revolution.
[16:30] How the bulk of the Declaration of Independence was our founding fathers listing abuses of England against us.
[19:30] Fighting for representation in England and America. No taxation without representation.
[23:30] Discussion of the principles of hope and recognition of Jesus Christ's Lordship and how they influenced the American colonists' fight for independence.
[27:30] The importance of understanding history from a biblical perspective and its impact on the present.
[29:08] The importance of being content with what we have and avoiding the love of money.
[31:07] If you tax something you get less of it. If you subsidize something you get more of it.
[33:11] How our original constitution in 1787 prohibited income tax.
[34:28 Mike talks about property rights and private ownership going back to biblical times and the Israelites.
[37:28] How the government could unfairly confiscate land through property taxes. Especially for owners with fixed incomes.
[39:39] The difference between direct and indirect taxes.
[41:18] Benefits of indirect taxes include privacy.
[43:26] MIke explains how a self-reporting system can leave room for cheating.
[45:08] There is no need for cheating with reasonable consumption taxes.
[46:56] Mike shares all of the benefits of rethinking taxes.
Foundations For Discovering The Proper Role Of Government
00:55:29
Voting adults have a hand in the political process in one way or another. Yet government instruction and good government learning in particular is lacking in our schools and our children’s lives.
Mike Winther breaks down why it is so important for children to learn good government principles and the proper role of government. He talks about authority, biblical principles, how we can help our society to thrive.
You’ll Learn:
[01:06] All of the political issues that we debate have an underlying question of what is the proper role of government.
[02:15] Mike shares a scenario about how parents invest massive amounts of time into their kids' sports and extracurricular activities. Children receive thousands of hours of instruction. They get one semester of government instruction, but they are all going to vote. We need to train adults and children in government.
[07:34] Our society is crumbling because we aren't teaching good government to our children.
[08:25] Matthew 28 the Great Commission. Jesus shares his final charge with his apostles.
[14:57] All passages of scripture are central and necessary. God's word is critical from property rights to business and economics.
[18:13] As Christians we often focus on family government and church government and neglect civil government.
[19:01] Christians need to learn what the biblical principles of society and government are.
[21:26] Civil government is small when family and church governments are strong. When civil government grows, family and church government shrink.
[22:48] We often talk about power and authority when we talk about government. These two are not the same.
[24:45] Power is the ability to make someone do something.
[25:36] We want to make sure that when the government uses power that it does it under the proper authority.
[31:59] Does the Constitution get its authority from the people? There are problems with having the people be the source of authority.
[34:01] God is the source of all legitimate authority.
[39:48] Where does the source of our rights come from? If the government is the source of our rights, it would mean that what they give they could also take away. Is that the type of society we want to live in?
[42:49] Do we want the majority to be our source of rights?
[43:55] The Constitution is a document created by the people that can be amended.
[45:21] The only way to have secure rights is if they are from God. Our founding fathers understood this.
[50:38] Mike gives an example of property rights and volunteer charity.
[54:34] The source of rights and authority are from God.
Mike Winther talks about asking what the proper role of Government is and what economic system we should have. He emphasizes understanding what socialism is and knowing why it's right or wrong. He also talks about the type of mindset we should have about socialist programs in agriculture.
Some of the items he features include debate and truth, agricultural policy, socialism, and limited government. He also talks about price and economy, subsidies and fairness, and the burden of proof with quality standards.
You’ll Learn:
[01:02] Sophists were people in ancient Greece who engaged in debate, but they weren't concerned about truth. Debate was a game.
[01:55] When we debate both sides of the issue, it's easy to walk away from a topic without an actual opinion.
[02:38] Is there true belief that we should advocate for agricultural policy?
[03:01] We should ask what the proper role of government is and what economic system we should be operating under.
[04:07] We spend a lot of time in the area of practicality but not enough in the area of principle.
[04:36] Socialism is an economic system characterized by government controlled capital or forced redistribution of wealth.
[06:41] Why might socialism be considered a bad thing?
[07:26] Socialism violates a number of biblical principles. It violates property rights. There's a Biblical argument for limited small narrow taxation.
[09:30] Socialism creates poverty. Nations that have free market systems are wealthier.
[11:57] Taxes reduce production and make prices go up. People also need to be paid to be the redistributors. This reduces the number of people who are actually producing goods and services.
[13:13] The welfare state reduces production.
[14:17] Socialism violates property rights, creates poverty, and promotes envy and covetousness. It creates a mindset of givers and takers.
[14:53] The study of political science is how we allocate the pie.
[15:50] Socialism also produces idolatry. It creates an idol or a dependency.
[17:29] Socialism has become a dominant factor in our society because it's promoted in the educational system, it's promoted in the media, inviting people in groups into socialism is also a way to promote it.
[18:53] We've invited farmers into the Socialist system by giving subsidies.
[20:31] Stabilizing prices is a common argument.
[22:07] Price is the key to the economy.
[28:32] Government providing insurance subsidies is like price fixing.
[30:07] Who defines what quality is with a government enforced standard?
[31:41] There may well be a limited role of government for environmental protection.
[33:23] There needs to be a burden of proof for the argument to a high standard.
[34:25] All of these questions come back to the proper role of government and what economic system we should have.
[35:00] There should also be a level playing field for government protections. We need a consistent mindset for government programs.
Mike Winther shares information about deep learning versus shallow learning in this section of snippets from his previous lectures. He talks about education and the purpose of education. He talks about how it’s important to challenge our children even with opposite world views. It’s also okay if they surpass us in learning.
He talks about the importance of building a comprehensive worldview in order to be more discerning. He touches on how we all have a model in our minds of how the world and the family works. He also talks about the fundamental stages in learning including the grammar stage, logic stage, and rhetoric stage. Mike dives into studying the economic and government implications and studying from every direction for deeper learning.
You’ll Learn:
[01:49] Why do we remember some things and not others?
[02:32] Deep learning has two categories: retention and an in-depth understanding.
[03:17] Shallow learning are things that we don't retain for a long time or don't know with any complexity or depth.
[05:06] We create theoretical constructs in our minds based on things we've known in the past. Forgetting something doesn't mean that we didn't benefit from learning it.
[06:30] We first need to decide the important things that our kids need to learn in a deep fashion.
[12:42] The danger of teaching the wrong principles. The wrong principles of government could destroy our society. There are things that are more important to teach in a deep fashion.
[14:03] After we get the theological questions down, we need to pursue life skills or vocational skills and societal skills.
[14:11] Life skills and vocational skills include things like honesty and integrity. Social skills are the proper knowledge of how institutions should exist and the proper role of government.
[17:07] Things that support learning include being interesting. You can use vignettes and biographies to make things more interesting when teaching history.
[23:56] Create interest first. Kids are also interested in what Mom and Dad are interested in.
[28:17] Repetition is a powerful learning tool. Being the A/V guy exposed Mike to a lot of information.
[31:01] Multiple sources of teaching are also very valuable.
[33:02] We learn more deeply and better when we discover interrelationships between things. Explore cross applications with things.
[34:20] You can test these applications with your worldview. What are the theological and government implications of this event?
[38:38] The classical education model has great benefits for us.
[39:17] The trivium is the three stages of learning. The first stage is the grammar stage. The second stage is the logic stage and the third stage is the rhetorical or persuasive stage.
[46:03] We also increase deep learning by reorganizing the information ourselves.
[48:22] As we learn things, we compare these things to our worldview. If they fit nicely, we file them away, if not we have to do more research and find out what fits.
[51:42] All the models of our life need to work together.
[52:42] The value of debate and the rhetoric stage.
[56:44] We need to challenge our students so that they can learn to go deeper. We also need to expose them to opposite views.
This 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.
Mike Winther has a message for those who are preparing for college. To become good leaders, our youth need to understand what the bible says about every area of life. After 12 years of coaching homeschooled high school students, we’ve seen some go off to college successfully and some not so much. College is a major part that frames who our kids become.
He talks about four main topics that apply to students and college. These include: 1. Should a student go to college? 2. How do you best prepare your kids for college? 3. How do you pick a college? 4. College options and creative alternatives. College is a huge opportunity and responsibility. It’s time for parents and young people to prepare thoughtfully and with a biblical perspective.
You’ll Learn:
[02:32] Most of the people we know have met their spouses in college. Looking at a student body where your potential spouse might be is an important college decision.
[05:10] Something is an idol if it takes the place of God or elevates itself to a position higher than God. It's also an idol if we are willing to violate God's law to get it or achieve it. We need to make sure that we don't make college an idol.
[06:51] College is the most influential time for our kids when it comes to things like worldview, understanding right from wrong, and major beliefs.
[09:34] Relativism teaches that the ends do justify the means. The objective in college is to break down your worldview and create a vacuum.
[11:24] Kids are losing faith in college and even adopting abhorrent world views.
[11:45] 1. Should a student go to college? 2. How do you best prepare your kids for college? 3. How do you pick a college? 4. College options and creative alternatives.
[12:15] College is a good environment and a beneficial thing. It's not necessarily for everyone.
[15:51] When it comes to college, there's skill set preparation and worldview preparation. Reading and writing ability are key.
[19:27] Being able to read and see other viewpoints and take a position is a powerful skill. Speech and debate capabilities also enhance college.
[23:04] Most of us and our students don't have an adequate biblical worldview. It's a journey not a destination. It's so important to build a biblical worldview in the heart of our students.
[25:24] When selecting a college, you first need to decide on a Christian or non-Christian college. There's a high percentage of kids who lose their faith at college, even Christian colleges.
[30:07] 1. Don't choose a college by how pretty the campus is. 2. Don't limit your visit to what they want to show you. 3. Don't fully trust the recommendations of others. 3. Don't base your choice on the admissions department.
[34:43] 1. Do visit the campus. Visit on an ordinary week and a school day. 2. Tour the dorm rooms and the hallways where the professor's offices are. 3. Evaluate nearby off-campus church options.
[40:44] Look at affordability last. My process includes pray, research, pray, more research, and more prayer before deciding.
[43:56] Mike talks about things to look for when choosing a college. What standards are you looking for?
[44:45] There are also off-campus college alternatives.
[48:21] Junior colleges also have a similar worldview to the four year colleges. Use the same caveats, because the professors are trying to shift the worldviews of our kids.
[51:46] We need to seek out the resources to teach our kids that there are absolutes, but first we need to understand those concepts.
In Christianity, there is a lot of discussion about end times, tribulation, rapture, and similar topics. Mike Winther addresses end times views found in the Bible. The modern church holds different views compared to the traditional perspectives. In this episode, Mike argues in favor of the traditional view rather than the modern interpretation of the end times.
He also emphasizes that this topic is not an absolute necessity of the Christian faith. True and honest Christians disagree about the end times and even about what the Bible says regarding them. As believers, this is a subject on which we can agree or disagree. Most churches have adopted the newer version of the end times from the 1860s or 1870s; this view encourages the church to remain passive. In this discussion, Mike revisits what the Bible says as he concludes this series.
You’ll Learn:
[01:02] There are Christians who believe that when the Antichrist takes over there will be a one world government. This ties in because there are people pushing for a one world government.
[02:52] Their church had a dispensational view. This view says that there's a 7-year tribulation coming, at the end of this is the second coming of Christ, things get worse and worse, there's a one world government, and Christians are persecuted.
[03:41] There is also the view that the church is raptured out either at the beginning, middle, or end of the tribulation.
[05:58] Mike spent a year reading Gary Demar and studying biblical end times. He had an amazing bible study year.
[06:23] If you haven't heard of this view, he wants you to at least know about it. You might just have the best Bible study year of your life.
[06:45] Eschatology is the study of the end times.
[07:34] Matthew 24. The Olivet discourse.
[17:41] According to all of the scripture these prophecies took place in the first century.
[19:44] The new world view is the future tribulation and the one world government. The old worldview was that the tribulation was a prophecy.
[20:02] The prophetic event that we are waiting for is the second coming of Jesus.
[21:27] The Antichrist isn't mentioned in Revelations.
[22:53] Mike talks about Revelations 1.
[26:29] In Matthew, Jesus talks about the abomination of desolation.
[28:31] Second Thessalonians chapter 2.
[30:41] Psalm 110. This is the Old Testament passage most quoted in the New Testament.
[32:37] The end times view of things getting worse and worse isn't supported in scripture.
[33:13] The 3,000 page challenge.
[33:58] Free yourself from debt and government subsidies. Consider the 5% Challenge and supporting good causes.
[37:21] Suggest a ministry in the church for government economics.
[38:04] Encourage private education as opposed to government education.
[40:09] Don't be afraid to teach hard biblical truth. Present it lovingly and humbly but present the truth.
[41:31] Have a long-term strategy of education and changing hearts and minds.
[45:00] William Wilberforce and his plight to absolve the slave trade.
[48:22] Let's start building the kind of world that God wants us to build.
Understanding And Teaching Constitutional Principles
00:48:48
The Constitution is the founding document of our government, yet many people don't know or understand it. It's important for us to educate ourselves and our children about constitutional principles to contribute to the type of government our founding fathers intended. Mike Winther delves into the understanding and teaching of the Constitution in this lecture summary, which is based on his 10-hour Constitution class.
Mike discusses why the Constitution is under siege, facing challenges from politicians who don't want to obey it, citizens who disagree with its contents, and people who are ignorant of its meaning. He then explains the significance of understanding the Constitutional foundation. Mike explores the idea of God being the source of our rights and the interpretation of these rights through scripture. He also examines topics such as majority rule and the origins of government authority.
You’ll Learn:
[01:06] Constitution week is in September. Now teachers who misunderstand the Constitution are going to share this information with their students.
[02:01] Many Americans in general don't know what the constitution actually says. Many also don't actually understand what it means. Americans have also drifted so far away from the Constitution, that if we really understood it we would hate it.
[03:13] We have a nation with millions of people in some form or another getting government subsidies which are actually unconstitutional.
[06:30] The first foundation that underlies the Constitution is the source of rights.
[06:50] The source of anything determines the use of that thing.
[07:26] We need to know the source of our rights and who regulates those rights.
[08:08] Is the source of our rights government?
[12:52] We are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. Our rights come from God.
[13:59] We also have to analyze where government authority comes from.
[15:43] Weighing people's rights with a more than 50% probability of guilt.
[17:29] The job of the people is to pick our leaders but not to determine government authority.
[18:09] The proper authority for civil government is outlined in the scriptures.
[19:40] Mike talks about the biblical roles of civil government such as adjudicating disputes, protecting life, liberty and property, and protecting from foreign invasion.
[20:41] The nature of government. The government isn't supposed to protect us from ourselves.
[23:47] Similar to fire, good government that is contained is a wonderful thing.
[25:39] The nature of man. We can't really trust human beings.
[27:27] The concept of enumerated powers. The few powers of the government are actually listed.
[29:43] Mike talks about the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist.
[34:56] The idea of a republic. The founding fathers' also created a mixed form of government with an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch.
[36:58] Sovereignty of the states. The states were not created by the federal government. The states gave authority to the federal government.
[41:06] States need to decide the constitutionality, because they are the source of the Constitution.
[43:02] Executive orders aren't in the Constitution.
[47:06] Enumerated powers need to be enacted fairly for the entire country.
Mike Winther talks about another clash of worldviews with this lecture on individualism versus collectivism. The individual has value and the group has value, but collectivism puts the group higher than the individual. Whereas, individualism elevates the individual as the most important.
We learn about the biblical perspective of these two theories. Mike talks about authors who were in favor of collectivism including Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Communism was founded on the idea of collectivism. When it comes to public policy, we need to be able to recognize when one concept is elevated and understand the consequences of this. Mike shares wisdom, insights, and more!
You’ll Learn:
[00:45] The theory of individualism places the individual as having the highest value. The theory of collectivism places the group as having the highest value.
[01:56] Who should be allowed to get into the life raft? It's probably not best to use human wisdom to decide who lives and dies.
[04:24] Thinking collectively and devaluing the individual and valuing the group.
[05:37] The economic system of communism is founded on the group being more important than the individual.
[06:05] Is it okay to treat someone unjustly, because it's better for the group?
[08:07] The collectivist mindset and imposing the greater good on individuals.
[11:27] The Bible has more passages on civil government than family and church government combined. We need to be more careful with the government that can use force.
[12:39] The three God ordained institutions include family government, church government, and civil government. These are tools used to regulate society.
[15:05] Government needs to work the way that God intended it to work.
[16:22] Family government is given the broadest powers, then church, then society. When one government is stronger another is weaker.
[17:48] Family government is given the tool of the rod. The Church government can remove fellowship and excommunicate.
[19:40] The biblically modeled tool of discipline for the state is the sword.
[21:41] Civil government is always a collective activity.
[22:31] Another worldview battle we have is the ends versus the means.
[25:46] The reason things are so contentious is because we have trained students to believe that the ends justify the means.
[27:53] The Christian answer is that we are not responsible for the end result.
[30:56] We need to focus on the path of the means.
Mike Winther dives into the third part of the Constitution Under Siege. He begins with a brief review of the necessary and proper clause. Then he dives into the controversial interpretation of the general welfare clause in the US Constitution.
While some argue that it allows Congress to enact any law promoting the general welfare, the founding fathers intended for it to limit taxation and ensure the nation's well-being.
He also explores how the commerce clause is often misused to regulate various aspects of society and the concerning trend of executive orders and presidential signing statements which bypass Congress. Ultimately, the conversation revolves around the ongoing debate between those who wish to restrain government power and those who don't.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] The second part of the Constitution that is sometimes used as a huge loophole is the general welfare clause. General welfare is found in the Preamble of the Constitution. A preamble is a statement of purpose.
[02:07] Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution says that congress can collect taxes to pay debts and promote common defense and general welfare of the United States.
[03:03] This is the clause that causes so much difficulty. Just like the necessary and proper argument, people who want big government think Congress can do whatever they want as long as it promotes the general welfare.
[03:33] This argument violates the enumerated powers concept.
[04:42] The founding fathers did not intend for the general welfare clause to be a granting of powers. It's a limitation of power.
[05:37] General welfare was not redistribution of wealth for payments to help the poor. It was meant to be about the well-being of the country.
[07:19] The difference between local welfare and general welfare or state of well-being.
[09:25] The founding fathers often referred to the new republic as the general government. Congress has to pay attention to the general welfare. Powers can't be used to benefit one geographic region over another.
[13:48] Thomas Jefferson explained that the general welfare clause was not a grant of power for the general welfare of the people. It was intended to limit taxation.
[14:43] Congress will not lay a single tax when it's not to the advantage of the people at large.
[15:23] Alexander Hamilton said the welfare of the community States is the only legitimate reason where money can be raised from the community.
[17:16] Original intent of the founding fathers will help clear up any misconceptions about the wording.
[17:50] General Welfare is not a grant of power, it's a limitation.
[18:14] The commerce clause gives Congress power to regulate commerce among the states. The power is there because the states had a tendency to tax goods destined for other states.
[23:40] The Roosevelt Administration said the reason for the depression was because prices were too low. They set out laws that forced merchants to raise their prices.
[25:25] They also forced farmers to reduce the amount of food that they produced. A case went to the supreme court where a farmer didn't reduce his production. The court ruled that they could regulate his production.
[28:34] The Interstate Commerce Commission created the railroad monopolies. Government uses the Commerce Clause as power to regulate everything.
[32:58] The real solution should be to fix the cause, not the effect.
[37:26] Mike talks about the Article 5 Amendment. The states can bypass Congress. This is a way for the states to go around the federal officials.
[46:19] If we allow people to disregard the Constitution without consequence, what makes us think that yelling is going to make a difference? Why would making the Constitution bigger solve a problem? States are going to send people who like big government.
[49:02] Convincing people to spend their resources on an ineffective pursuit furthers the opposite cause.
[49:48] Article 1 Section 1: All legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the United States. How much legislative power is given to Congress?
[50:37] An executive order is a president's attempt to make legislation without Congress.
[51:32] Both parties have gotten more socialist over the years.
[53:35] The issue is really about people who want to restrain the government and people who don't want to restrain the government. Both parties got their training in public schools.
[55:59] Which article in the Constitution talks about executive orders? None!
[57:37] A presidential signing statement is something that presidents do when they don't like a part of the bill.
[01:00:34] The House of Representatives and Congress really needs to hold everybody accountable.
[01:03:43] When the church and God's people are faithful, God will intervene in miraculous ways.
In this lecture, Mike Winther condenses part of his 20-hour course. He talks about the worldview battle and clash of ideas that we are all part of. He says that there are six or seven principles that we clash on that result in almost all the conflicts that we have around the world.
Is there or is there not a God? Do our rights come from God or the majority? Where does authority come from? Do we make decisions based on ends or means? Which is more important: collectivism or individualism? Mike walks us through these concepts to help discover what should be the real source of authority in government and our lives.
You’ll Learn:
[01:17] These main principles include is there or is there not a creator.
[01:42] Source of rights. Where do our rights come from? Our rights either come from God or the majority.
[02:07] Where does authority come from? Do we make decisions on ends or means?
[02:29] Collectivism versus individualism. The collectivist says that the group is more important. The individualist says that the individual is more important.
[03:02] If there is no God, then God can't be our source of rights.
[04:14] Mike discusses the survival of the fittest mindset.
[06:43] How the source can determine the use. We need to carefully choose what the source of our rights is going to be.
[08:19] Our founding fathers debated whether to have a Bill of Rights, because they didn't want people to assume the rights were coming from the government.
[10:54] We want our rights to come from God, because what the government gives the government can take away.
[13:20] We need to be prepared to go deep on these subjects of where our rights come from.
[14:31] We want to be cautious about authority. We want power to be balanced with authority.
[19:32] How do we know what the government can and can't do? What is the source of authority?
[20:52] We need to know what the proper role of government actually is.
[21:29] Do we want to leave government decisions in the hands of the majority?
[22:38] The Bible contains the instructions to know what the government should and shouldn't do. This should be our source of authority.
[23:28] When we vote, we choose people of character who we want to carry out the predetermined government authority.
[24:58] The ultimate source of truth is God's word.
[26:13] The root word of authority is author. All authority has an author.
Mike has always loved politics and public policy. His parents, who were very active in politics, surrounded him with political information from a young age. Instead of fiction, he grew up reading political books and eventually earned a degree in political science.
He gained experience working in political campaigns and realized that running a successful campaign and electing a quality candidate is only a temporary victory, as elections recur. He also observed a trend towards more liberal views, moving away from biblical principles. Mike concluded that true reform requires focusing on education and changing hearts and minds.
In this lecture, Mike discusses some of the critical issues our country faces and how we can return to a biblical perspective. After outlining the various challenges, he presents eight points that can help make a difference in our society.
You’ll Learn:
[04:24] The Ten Commandments have been removed from parks and public buildings.
[05:13] Mike talks about the problems of public and private debt. He also talks about property rights, thought crimes, taxes, and many current issues.
[08:40] The problem is we lack a worldview that is biblical and consistent.
[12:44] Most of us are products of a secular society. We've lost the biblical worldview training that our forefathers had.
[18:30] There are solutions, but we are never going to perfect our society and live in a utopia.
[19:01] The Bible does give us directions on how we should live in our society. As Christians, we know that obeying scripture improves our lives.
[19:28] Sometimes we fail to see the relationships between biblical principles and our problems.
[22:53] At least 70 million dollars has been spent on public education in California. What does public education teach? What kind of soil are we creating with our tax dollars?
[25:01] Knowledge and persuasion are the key to deal with all of our problems. We need education and discipleship.
[29:01] Intellectual capital. A good strategy doesn't happen by accident. The secular standpoint does have intellectual capital. There are foundations with billions of dollars.
[31:39] Repetition is the key to learning. We need to emphasize the truth and the principles behind our ideals.
[34:33] Eight points we need to tackle. We need a broad Christian worldview. We need a principled approach.
[35:57] A vision of the big picture.
[39:53] Is the government or the church going to take care of the poor?
[41:10] Repetition and reinforcement of the message.
[42:11] We need a strategy not just a reaction. Research. We need to provide quality research for pastors and leaders.
[47:20] We must look for and identify absolutes. There's a battle in this world between absolutism and relativism. Absolutes make decision making easier.
This lecture revolves around the theme of nature. Mike Winther talks about the nature of man and the nature of God. What is the true essence of man and God? He also talks about the nature or essence of government. We are in a battle of world views that include theological, political, and economic aspects.
Throughout history there has been a battle of ideas. Mike highlights how knowing ourselves and knowing our enemies helps us take a strong stance on our own worldviews and how they are related to biblical principles. He dives into telling God’s truth and being a strong part of God’s team as we go about our lives.
You’ll Learn:
[00:50] What is the nature or essence of man and God? What is the nature of government?
[01:31] There's always been a battle of ideas.
[02:11] There's been a clash of world views from Adam and Eve and all through ancient history to modern history.
[03:06] The Great Deceiver is out there and has always wanted to deceive us in all areas of life.
[04:45] Matthew chapter 16.
[11:48] Christians ought to be a player on God's team.
[15:04] How the Gates of Hell will not prevail. Gates is a defensive tool. Satan is on the defense and won't endure against the church.
[19:26] The founding fathers established a society that believes that our rights come from God.
[23:49] Is our government decision-making practical or principled? Practical decision making is based upon the knowledge of man.
[29:00] The Judeo-Christian perspective of man having a sin nature. Plato rejected this philosophy. He believed that man was essentially good.
[30:46] If man is good, how do you explain evil? The answer for Plato was the environment.
[34:40] The flaws with Plato's premise. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
[39:41] The tool of the civil government is the sword. Governments exist to use force. According to Washington, the government is force.
[41:31] People in office need to know the nature of government.
[42:04] Mike talks about the will of God.
[44:26] God shares his desires in the Ten Commandments. We learn God's precepts, but he still allows these things.
[46:00] You can have great family discussions talking about the idea of decreed versus preceptive will of God. Human events can have human causes.
[50:24] We have an obligation to help the government take good actions.
Mike Winther dives into homeschooling and current and future threats. He keeps his focus on biblical principles which is the basis for IPS. The focus is on teaching biblical principles of government, economics, and history. As Christians, we need to look at underlying principles when making decisions. There's a huge difference between making decisions based on principles or practicality.
He gets into whether we homeschool for practical reasons or principled reasons. We also get a brief history lesson on churches before and after the reformation. Mike even draws a parallel between what happened during the reformation and modern homeschooling. Some threats include lack of adversity. If we're not experiencing adversity, maybe we're not doing it right. He also talks about the absence of a cause and how we can improve our homeschool experiences to prepare our students for the future.
You’ll Learn:
[02:48] We need to explore the principal questions before exploring the practical questions.
[03:19] Why do we homeschool?
[04:24] Prior to the reformation there was one church based in Rome.
[13:12] Mike draws a parallel of how the homeschool movement can be similar to The Great Reformation. There will be challenges and false prophets.
[15:05] Potential threats to homeschooling include absence of suffering and adversity. Ease and complacency creates an environment where we don't do our due diligence.
[16:44] If we were homeschooling right, we would be a threat to non-Christian views.
[17:07] The absence of a cause is another threat. We need causes. As Christians, one of our multiple causes should be saving souls.
[18:01] Matthew 16 beginning with verse 18. Peter is the rock.
[19:54] Christians are to be on the offense attacking the gates from hell.
[20:55] We need to make sure that we are teaching a biblical worldview in every subject.
[23:33] Mike shares a Martin Luther quote about being afraid of the schools being the gates of hell unless they diligently labor to explain the holy scriptures.
[24:37] Government infringement on homeschooling.
[25:51] Mike share's one of the biggest threats to homeschooling.
[30:40] Most of America didn't have public education until well into the mid 1800s. Public education eventually became a movement and grew to what it is today.
[33:42] Once we began more government education, the reading level in America actually dropped.
[36:04] Mike shares scary quotes from early teacher associations.
[39:15] There's no such thing as value neutral education. The biggest threat to homeschooling might be not creating the world changers that we should be creating.
[40:13] The 10th step in The Communist Manifesto is free education for all children in public schools.
[42:50] Education should be Christ-centered and private.
[45:51] A lot of questions in the SAT are now value-based.
[47:05] College choice. Be very cautious about where you send your kids to college.
[53:16] The challenge we wrestle with is training our homeschoolers to become the professors that will teach based on biblical principles.
[57:56] What if 75% of our students don't understand the principles of government or economics?
[58:26] We need to give more training on the important things that actually impact society.
Mike Winther designed this talk with a desire to help people make better decisions in every area of life. He also noticed that people have a process for deciding on political issues that was unbiblical and awkward at best. Mike decided to take a good hard look at scripture and find if there are biblical processes for making good decisions.
As Christians, we're on a journey to have a more biblical based and Christ-like life. In America, we've been taught the wrong process for making decisions. Our educational system attacks the biblical decision-making process that Mike had uncovered. A lot of our school experience is designed to teach bad process and decision-making. The process often determines the outcome. Mike talks about how the process is flawed and how we can start the journey to fix it.
You’ll Learn:
[02:25] Our educational system attacks the biblical decision-making process that Mike had uncovered. A lot of our school experience is designed to teach bad process and decision-making.
[03:40] The process often determines the outcome.
[03:51] We don't use deliberate tools. We frequently make haphazard decisions. Inconsistency is confusing.
[04:44] We are also conditioned to use unintentional processes. These are generally non-biblical.
[05:42] Dr. A.A. Hodge said that an education system separated from religion will be appalling.
[07:09] There are three steps to a good decision-making process. 1. Is the action we're considering a proper action? 2. Is it profitable? 3. How should we do it?
[10:46] A good decision requires these three tools: 1. A valid paradigm. 2. Good methodology. 3. Accurate facts and data.
[12:59] Is our methodology based on relativism or realism? We need to look for the absolutes.
[19:42] Principal versus practicality. We should always look for the principal first.
[23:41] The end versus the means. Does the greater good in the future outweigh doing something not good right now?
[33:42] Consistency. Good decisions are consistent.
[39:41] Taking arguments with logical conclusions. We need to analyze our decision and see if we could continue making the same type of decision down the road.
[40:58] The selling of indulgences was where you confessed to a priest, and they told you what you have to do for those sins to be forgiven.
[44:47] Taking an idea to its logical conclusion.
[48:45] The third tool for good decision-making is having accurate facts and data. We need to get the facts right. Facts are less important when you're making decisions based upon principle.
[49:37] The world is training us to make decisions with bad methods, and it's resulting in bad decisions.
[51:29] When governments make decisions that are bad process decisions, we get inconsistency in our policies.
[52:42] Government policy can also cause us to devalue the law.
[54:33] Having bad government decisions and processes actually increases terrorism. Making law based on proper means would have a stable law. If we change laws willy-nilly, people will discover that a crisis or disaster is a way to get a law changed.
[01:00:27] Your kids and your family need to know the absolutes of your household.
There are numerous passages of scripture that point to no king but King Jesus. Mike Winther talks about 1st Samuel chapter 8 where the children of Israel began asking for a king during the reign of the judges. In historical and modern times, sometimes we want to change the system when we really need better leaders.
Mike also talks about the differences between God and Satan’s strategies for churches. He talks about centralized and decentralized institutions. He goes into Samuel’s warnings to the people and consequences of having a king. He also talks about tithes, idols, and the source of authority. All of these examples help to refine how modern people should look at government and institutions.
You’ll Learn:
[00:45] Mike kicks off the show with 1st Samuel Chapter 8 which is rich in content about raising our children, government principles, and economic principles. This scripture was also the slogan of the American Revolution.
[01:25] No King but King Jesus.
[03:38] After making it to the promised land, the children of Israel lived under the political system of judges. These judges were also the civil magistrates and rulers.
[04:54] This was a federal system which means decentralized.
[05:49] 1st Samuel chapter 8.
[10:09] Our circumstances in life will affect what we get out of certain Bible passages.
[12:15] Changing the system when what we really need is better leaders.
[16:11] Parents bear responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, but if the children walk away it's not their fault.
[18:01] In Judges, we see periods of righteousness and periods of failure. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
[18:58] Samuel and God were displeased with the request for the king.
[23:15] The years of righteousness in Israel exceeded the years of rebellion.
[28:52] Mike talks about the difference between God's strategy and Satan's strategy. God wants to decentralize human institutions. Satan's strategy is the opposite.
[29:31] Our founding fathers believed in decentralized power.
[33:13] Our founding fathers believed that the militias in the state should be volunteer and have way more weapons and manpower than the government.
[34:29] Consequences of getting a king include forced military service, forced labor, taking sons, taking daughters, taking fields, taking a tenth of grain and vintage, and more.
[37:34] We're in dangerous ground when something demands more than the Lord. This is putting other gods before God.
[41:55] The people wanted a king to be like all of the other nations. We need to be careful that we're not like all of the others.
[45:05] Israel had some good kings, but they suffered under many bad kings.
[48:21] Think about centralization and decentralization when you look at government proposals.
[48:35] Where is the source of authority? Authority comes from God.
[51:59] The concept of conquering through faith.
[52:44] No King but Jesus was muttered by many people including Samuel Adams in 1776.
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 highlight why it matters and what actions you may want to take.
You’ll Learn:
[00:52] Does the stuff that we've been talking about matter?
[01:19] For a lot of Christians, the stuff doesn't matter.
[01:37] If the answer is yes, what are you going to do?
[02:11] Matthew 10:16
[05:57] Mike makes a chart with two extremes like 0% government and 100% government. He also makes a chart with philosophical positions and the number of people with those views.
[08:15] With extreme positions the vast majority of our population will fall in the middle of a bell curve.
[13:05] His chart shows how candidates move towards the middle majority in a way that makes the two political parties similar.
[15:29] Political parties and candidates will try to position their beliefs and what they tell you as close to the hump in the bell curve as possible.
[17:53] The political solutions in America actually aren't political solutions. We're not going to change America at the voting booth.
[19:15] We need to move up by educating people and changing hearts and minds.
[21:55] The dialectic is a philosophy or explanation of how history works.
[23:19] The thesis and antithesis do battle. Neither side wins but there is a blending.
[29:33] The real victory goes to the bold.
[33:52] Every issue has unthinkables on both sides.
[37:00] If you want to persuade someone, you need to ask whether they're in the Overton window.
[37:32] The public opinion bubble. The concept of the dialectic. The concept of the Overton window. These are three accurate ways of analyzing how change happens in society.
[38:34] America is as America thinks.
[40:44] Hearing policy options over and over will move someone's Overton window.
[42:57] Sharing ideas is the start to shifting public opinion.
[43:06] How do we move the population bubble? How do we do these things to change the course of civilization?
[44:09] Number one thing is we need God's help. Promote truth and a Biblical perspective.
[44:32] You don't need immediate results. Go for the long haul. You can accomplish a lot if you don't care who gets the credit.
Render Unto Caesar: Truths That Transform Radio Interview
00:19:43
Mike Winther talks about what the bible says about taxes in a recorded interview from Truths That Transform Radio. Does "Render Unto Caesar" mean that the government can take it all?
He dives into why we don’t have to pay everything, just what we are required to pay. The discussion also revolves around common misconceptions of this line to think that Christians don’t have to pay anything.
Mike talks about the effect of relativism on our society. We know there are limits on taxes, because we need to support our families and tithe. God gives us commands and guidelines, so we don’t wallow in uncertainty. This episode brings taxes from a biblical perspective to the forefront of the discussion.
You’ll Learn:
[01:32] Are we obligated to give the government whatever it asks us for?
[01:52] The passage doesn't say that we should render unto Caesar everything that he asks.
[02:25] We know we should render something, but it doesn't have to be everything.
[02:44] Some Christians have also misinterpreted that line to think that they don't have to pay any taxes, because they belong to God not Caesar.
[02:56] Romans 13. There is a legitimate role for us to support the civil magistrate.
[03:12] How relativism has affected every way of life.
[04:32] There are biblical principles that define the level of taxation we should have.
[05:09] We discuss the question of whether it's possible for the government to steal.
[05:37] The god ordained institutions include the family, the church, and civil government.
[06:00] Scripture is clear about our obligations to each role of government.
[07:43] 10% or the tithe should be the key guideline in taxation. We worship God in many ways including tithing and giving.
[08:15] For the State to ask more than God demands is putting us in a position of idolatry.
[08:32] Our founding fathers knew that a nation should never have more than a 9% tax rate.
[09:26] We need to go back to square one and elect leaders who follow a Godly path.
[11:17] We discuss whether the graduated income tax is fair. Karl Marx laid out the necessity of a graduated income tax system.
[12:50] What are we going to tax? Consumption or production? A tax on income is a production tax.
[13:41] The biblical principle would be to tax consumption not production.
[15:11] We need to become obedient. As Christians, we haven't been taught or learned the biblical principles.
[15:29] We need to learn what God's principles are for proper government.
[16:50] Churches have a right and a responsibility to speak out and tell the government what their proper role is.
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 church's role in charitable work. He references passages from "Bringing in the Sheaves" while discussing the ongoing struggle against poverty. Additionally, he touches on the enumerated powers of the federal government and how states contribute to defining these powers. Ultimately, he brings all his teachings back to biblical principles, emphasizing their importance over government policies.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] James 1:26 talks about pure and faultless religion and caring for widows and orphans. 1st Timothy 6:17 talks about the same.
[02:44] The idea of being willing to share is God's plan.
[03:04] 2nd Thessalonians 3:10. If man will not work, he shall not eat.
[04:23] 1st Timothy 5:7 is about providing for your relatives.
[05:00] God's safety net is you work, and you take care of your family.
[05:34] There are three layers to God's "safety net" including individual hard work, family, and the church.
[06:22] Ezekiel 16:29 The first sin is not helping the needy.
[07:39] Taking care of the poor and needy is a Christian mandate.
[07:54] Charity. 1. Giving to those with real need. 2. Giving voluntarily. 3. Giving out of love.
[09:37] If Christians do charity correctly, Jesus and the church get the credit.
[12:02] Institutions and mechanisms for charity. Self-reliance. Family. Church. Other voluntary non-Christian organizations.
[13:00] Who gets charity? The widow, orphan, alien, and disabled.
[13:50] Charity should be voluntary, local, and glorifying to God.
[16:23] The war on the poor. LBJ declared a war on poverty in the 1960s. The alm's race had begun.
[20:10] Presidents suggest spending Congress approves the budget. We can't collectively lump all the spending in one group or another.
[22:54] The Deacon role is to take care of the Widow, orphan, and alien.
[24:16] The states enumerate powers that they gave to the federal government.
[26:48] Davy Crockett was a member of the US House of Representatives.
[34:12] Redistribution frequently takes from people who are worse off than the ones getting the distribution.
[37:25] The power of the truth of Christianity.
[40:02] Providing charity is a difficult task.
[42:05] The concepts of this class build each week and weave together like a fabric.
[49:00] There's a battle over who provides the charity. As a church, we need to contend with that.
In this session, Mike Winther discusses government, relativism, and absolute truth. He talks about how the modern educational system teaches relativism instead of absolute truth. A significant part of the modern world's conflict centers on the debate over the existence of absolute truth. The message of this class is that absolute truths do exist, and there may be more of them than we initially thought.
In the first week of this lecture series, Mike explored the proper role of government. The core assumption is that there is a proper role for government, as well as improper roles. We should have a framework for determining what the proper role of government is. God's commands and prohibitions that apply to individuals also apply to groups, including the government. Any exceptions to this rule must be clearly outlined in scripture.
We can always look to the Bible to see what powers are given to the government or magistrate. The civil government adjudicates disputes, protects our rights, and defends us from foreign invasion. Mike reviews some concepts from previous episodes and introduces new material on foreign policy and war. He shares how biblical principles that apply to individuals on a small scale also apply to groups and governments.
You’ll Learn:
[00:56] Government, relativism, and absolute truth. Our modern education is teaching our kids relativism, not absolute truth.
[02:05] There are absolute truths. We should have a framework for deciding what the proper role of government is.
[03:21] The collective application of God's commands. God's command applies to us individually and collectively.
[06:09] The civil government adjudicates disputes between individuals. Each institution has tools given to them by scripture. These include the power of the rod for the family government, excommunication for the church government, and power of the sword for the civil government.
[07:07] The government is also here to protect our rights.
[13:17] The law is needed to bring salvation, social order, and help us identify who God is.
[13:49] R. J. Rushdoony is one of Mike's favorite authors.
[18:39] Foreign policy and war. The use of the sword.
[23:47] What applies on the small scale also applies on the big scale.
[26:00] If we are wronged in a non-violent way we turn the other cheek.
[29:29] The biblical principle of self-defense.
[34:34] Mike talks about the US drone strikes in Pakistan.
[37:23] Mike talks about constitutional wars and unconstitutionally declared wars. If we're going to go to war they should be constitutionally declared.
[41:20] He also touches on Brexit and the European Union.
[45:17] Mike gives an example about how division is better than one central power.
[46:56] The more power, the more temptation to sin.
Mike Winther continues his mission of teaching government and economics from a biblical perspective. This lecture focuses on how change begins outside the ballot box. Mike shares how he had an early interest in government and political science. It all began with his dad who was a student of history and led to Mike majoring in political science and going on to found IPS and share these lectures.
We learn about Mike’s journey from settling in California to forming a full-time ministry. Mike dives into the fundamental question behind IPS and that is what is the proper role of civil government. Who do you want to run your economy? That’s the wrong question. We should be asking if our government should be running our economy at all. Mike dives into all of this and more in his quest to educate the public about biblical principles and government.
You’ll Learn:
[01:22] Mike's dad was a student of history. Mike read about the founding fathers in high school and was involved in debate and attended political rallies. He also majored in political science.
[03:41] Even 40 years ago, college professors were in favor of Marxism. They did support freedom of speech at that time.
[04:36] Mike wanted to change the world by running political campaigns.
[05:25] Mike noticed that the candidates that he supported couldn't get elected. He then settled in Modesto, California and began working for a nonprofit organization.
[08:11] From a church survey, the number three most common need was understanding politics and how to understand and navigate the political system.
[14:30] What is the proper role of civil government? The root of all issues can be answered once this question is explored.
[15:28] There's a formula and scripture for taking care of the poor and the needy.
[16:29] The church should be the main provider of charity for believers and unbelievers alike.
[20:18] There are times in history when prosperity went up when the government was more hands off with the economy.
[21:49] What is the principle behind a bank running the money supply?
[23:03] How can Christians live a more biblical civic life?
[25:48] Part of the gospel is learning what the proper role of the civil magistrate actually is. This is the goal for changing culture.
[34:50] Mike gives observations about election principles. Our goal should be to know and teach the truth, so elections are won by wide margins.
[37:22] The way to win elections in the future is to change hearts and minds along the way.
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 God's guidance. Despite their positive report, the Israelites sided with the majority, leading to God's decree that they would wander in the desert for 40 years until a new, faithful generation arose.
This lecture explores how, after finally entering the promised land, the Israelites experienced the period of the Judges, marking a shift towards a decentralized form of government. Mike highlights how scripture offers both spiritual lessons and insights into governmental principles, illustrating the times of righteous judges and kings. The discussion raises a critical question: Which form of government did God prefer? The answer, as Mike reveals, is found in Samuel 8.
Throughout the series, Mike shares numerous examples of scriptural passages that reflect political statements. He delves into the negative consequences of monarchical rule, the benefits of decentralized power, and strategies to limit the expansion of government. This episode promises to be an eye-opener, shedding light on the intricate relationship between biblical teachings and governance.
You’ll Learn:
[00:38] 1st Samuel chapter 8. The spies came back with a negative report and discouraged the children of Israel from wanting to take the Promised Land.
[04:56] Caleb and Joshua were more optimistic because they knew they had got on their side.
[05:45] 40 years later, they learned that the people they were going to attack were afraid of them because they had got on their side.
[06:29] The period of the judges. This was a centralized government with a lot of leaders.
[08:35] There were periods of time when certain judges ruled and the people were righteous. There were more years of righteousness than people doing what was right in their own eyes.
[09:26] There are far more righteous judges listed in Hebrews than there were righteous kings.
[12:16] The colonists declared independence from the King of England in 1776 and restored God as the real king.
[15:05] Curses of bad government. The king will take your sons and make them serve. He will take your daughters, the best of your fields, and your vineyards. Also a tenth of your grain and your vintage.
[19:41] No government would try to tax more than 9%.
[21:21] There are a lot of passages of scripture that are actually political statements.
[22:42] If you understand the sin nature of man you want decentralized power.
[23:16] Civil government is bigger than it ought to be.
[23:41] Ways to limit the expansion of government.
[24:02] Understand the origins of rights and authority. God is the source of authority, we should go to scripture to find out what the government can and can't do.
[26:34] Good laws limit government. The horizontal separation of powers. Isaiah 3:22.
[33:19] The chasm between ideals and reality.
[35:22] What fuels the growth of government money and dependence.
[38:31] We need a vision to not depend on the government.
[39:55] We limit government by the watchful eye of the people.
[40:10] Public Choice Theory analyzes how the government grows.
Mike Winther dives into the topic of when the church and Christians should get involved in matters of state. He kicks things off with a history refresher about the 1807 Slave Trade Act in England and the eventual abolition of slavery in England and the work of William Wiberforce.
When the church is active, society gets better. Society gets worse when the body of believers or the church is silent. Mike talks about Mathew 28, discipleship, and what discipleship includes. He asks the question of whether discipleship has anything to do with economic, social, and government issues. Then explains why the answer is yes.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] A little history lesson. In 1807, there was a bill introduced called the slave trade act. This bill was introduced in England, not America. This bill banned the slave trade.
[01:40] In 1833, England introduced the slavery abolition act. This banned the slave trade and slavery in England.
[02:04] It was a number of decades before America took action on slavery.
[02:17] If you were a citizen of England or America and a Christian was there a role for you in this public debate?
[02:49] We're going to talk about principles of when the church is involved or should be involved.
[03:00] In history, William Wilberforce gets the credit for being the driving force of the abolition of slavery in England.
[04:26] Should the church have a voice in public affairs? All economic and social issues are clashes of ideas. We aren't to be the instigators of violence, but we should always proclaim truth.
[05:42] How controversial can modern Christians be without losing their Christian Witness?
[06:00] Matthew 28: The Great Commission. All the authority of Heaven and Earth had been given to Jesus. Go out and disciple.
[07:57] The goal is for us to disciple all nations.
[10:47] Does discipling the nations have anything to do with social issues and problems?
[12:45] The Bible has more to say about civil government than family government and church government combined.
[13:36] Our challenge is to speak the truth with love but do not avoid speaking the truth.
[16:00] We are seeing a myriad of ways the church is silenced by the Government. The church is also silenced through social pressure as society becomes less Christian.
[18:28] The biggest factor silencing the church is ourselves. Philosophies of non-involvement tell Christians not to engage.
[20:19] The whole idea of the Reformation was that kings, or even the pope, were not infallible. Every human being is subject to God's law.
[23:24] Are Christians responsible for stopping evil to the extent of their power? This should apply to every sphere of our society.
[26:37] The best way to be effective is being well-educated.
[29:17] Doing nothing isn't a good option. The church doesn't have to take a lot of action, but it needs to teach biblical principles and the proper roles of government. If the church teaches the truth, the members will take action.
[34:41] It was a curse for the government to demand more in taxes than the amount of tithes of 10%.
[35:22] Should the church have a voice? What is silencing the church? What do Christians say or do? Is the church prepared to speak?
[35:50] If we should have a voice, are we really prepared to have a voice?
[39:03] In 2nd Kings, Josiah pursues righteousness. The church is being silenced because we first silenced ourselves.
[41:38] The body of Christ is called to be active. We are called to know the truth and take action. If we see evil, we are called to fix it.
[42:28] A Practical View of Christianity was the most read book in England for over 50 years.
Founding Principles in the U.S. Constitution, Part 2
01:07:53
Mike Winther continues his lecture by reviewing the key principles of whether the branches of government were elected or appointed, how the states are more represented than the people, and how the states created the federal government.
Then he continues with how biblical principles should apply or were intended to apply to our current system. This is the second part of the Founding Principles in the U.S. Constitution series delivered on July 19th, 2011 as a part of a Government and Economics Conference hosted by IPS in Modesto, California.
You’ll Learn:
[01:02] We already talked about the three branches of Government and whether they were elected or appointed. Three of the four bodies were appointed, not elected. States are more represented than the people. States created the federal government.
[01:39] We have three branches of government to help control government power and prevent it from becoming abusive.
[02:05] Isaiah 33:22 God is our judge, lawmaker, and King. There's a legislative, administrative, and adjudication component to government.
[03:33] Mike talks about horizontal separation and vertical separation in our governments.
[03:59] Separate but equal is simply not true. The President has a four-year term. The Senator has a six-year term. Representatives have a two-year term. Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life.
[04:52] Three forms of accountability. Impeachment. Checks and balances between branches. The elections.
[06:18] The house is the most accountable and the most powerful. The presidency is the second most powerful branch. The Senate is the third. The Supreme Court has the least electoral accountability.
[07:16] Enumerated powers means that the powers given by the states are listed or enumerated. We can either list powers the government can have or powers the government cannot have.
[11:46] The Anti-Federalists were concerned that the constitution would give the government too much power. They wanted a Bill of Rights.
[15:00] Is healthcare a right? Rights shouldn't violate other people's rights.
[19:25] The right that trumped every right was property rights.
[23:37] Should the government limit speech? Scenarios that force students to make bad choices. The lifeboat mentality.
[27:42] Satan wants the roles of the church given to some other institution like the government, so that they'll get the glory.
[28:18] Who should deal with society's evils?
[32:03] The denominations of churches of the colonists and their organizational charts. Congregational or more of a democracy, Anglican and Episcopalian which is more of a monarchy, and the Presbyterians which are an oligarchy.
[34:13] Not all of the brilliance of the Constitution was fully understood. The house is elected or congregational. The executive is sort of like a monarchy. The US Senate is like an oligarchy. This is a mixed form of government.
[42:13] Foreign intervention and declaring war. Plausible deniability in funding by Congress. This is a violation of the Constitution.
[49:31] Should the US get involved in foreign conflicts? Is it mandatory? Is it prudent? Is it permissible to abstain? When the government intervenes, it's all or nothing. An example using The Good Samaritan.
[54:42] We have no clue what our government is doing overseas. If we don't trust them for domestic decisions, should we trust them for overseas decisions?
[58:33] Our political environment isn't following the biblical standards of how to run the military. We need to hurry and educate America.
[59:58] The Constitution did not allow for income tax. In 1913, the 16th amendment paved the way for income tax.
[01:01:10] The general welfare clause loophole. The founding fathers lived in an era when there was no such thing as Government welfare. Welfare meant well-being. There was private welfare, public welfare, local welfare, and general welfare.
Mike Winther continues his discussion on Biblical Principles of Government. This episode will focus on history, but he begins the lecture by highlighting two key solutions to our problems: the political solution and the educational solution. All of our efforts to change the world can be divided into these two categories.
We either try to change society politically or through education. Unfortunately, we often concentrate all our efforts on the political solution, when focusing on education is the real answer. Spending just one-tenth of what is spent on political campaigns on biblical education could significantly influence the outlooks of future generations. Mike also emphasizes the importance of reading physical books, underlining, and bookmarking the best passages.
Mike kicks off the history portion by breaking down the etymology of the word "history." He discusses how history is important to God and uses the Bible as an example. Mike then explores the six philosophical views of history that shape how people perceive it. We learn that history is the study of the consequences of ideas. Mike strives to make history interesting and ties it back to the Biblical Principles we cherish.
You’ll Learn:
[01:02] The political and educational solutions to our problems. We either try to change society politically or through education.
[01:41] Sometimes we get our focus wrong and put all of our effort on the political solution and neglect education.
[05:32] If we spent 1/10 of what is spent on political campaigns on education and teaching High School students this course, it would change society.
[12:16] Mike talks about the importance of reading and how we all need to be readers.
[16:06] History and the etymology of the word. His story or the working out of God's story.
[19:15] History is important to God. Just try to find a book in the Bible that isn't about history.
[19:44] Psalm 78 and Joshua 4 and Judges 5 and the New Testament.
[22:23] Mike talks about the six philosophical views of history that frame how people view history.
[23:15] The state of society, good or bad. Early time and later time. This charts the views of History.
[23:46] 1. The random view of History. Things are sometimes better and sometimes worse.
[24:13] 2. The pendulum view of History where we swing from one extreme to another.
[24:51] 3. The evolutionary progress view. This is where everything evolves over time and gets better.
[25:39] The first three views of history are atheist or agnostic. The next three are compatible with Christianity.
[25:41] He also talks about what all Christians agree on.
[27:13] 4. The pessimistic view. Things get worse and worse until the second coming.
[27:46] 5. The neutral view. We're not getting more or less righteous, things just vacillate back and forth.
[28:08] 6. The optimistic view. Over time, the church has more influence, and the level of righteousness improves.
[28:46] Psalm 110
[36:37] History is simply the study of the consequences of ideas. It gets exciting when you think about the stuff that really happened.
[37:48] The Magna Carta was the first time a king was seriously challenged.
[38:36] The Great Charter was the start of a multi-millennial challenge to the power of the king.
[39:46] Mike shares the history before the landing of the Mayflower.
[40:30] The Gutenberg Bible gave more people access to read God's word.
[42:28] Separatists were people who were tired of the Church of England and were separating. The Puritans were trying to purify and solve all the flaws.
[43:11] The pilgrims lived in Holland before they came to Plymouth. John Robinson preached all of God's words.
[44:14] The number one reason they left Holland was because their children were too influenced by the secular nature of Holland. The fifth reason was to evangelize the natives of North America.
[48:20] The Mayflower Compact. The first constitution in the US.
[51:51] The providential view of history says that Providence or God intervenes in history.
[56:24] The pilgrims didn't have enough crops to sustain themselves.
[01:00:35] The first experiment in socialism was a failure. Once it was abandoned they had more food than they could use.
Mike Winther gives a lecture on the biblical models of charity. He shares several bible passages that talk about charity and then shares five points to define real charity. He also discusses the mechanisms or institutions for meeting needs. He talks about our responsibility, family responsibility, the church, and other organizations.
We also learn about the government and charity. Mike makes the case why the government shouldn’t be providing charity for many reasons including that they would have to take from someone else to do so. This transaction isn’t voluntary. This is a really interesting discussion on principles and following God’s path and making sure that anything done is righteous and biblical.
You’ll Learn:
[00:49] Charity is an issue that comes in with public policy questions. The government is the biggest provider of charity today.
[01:19] Governments get bigger than they ought to because of people fearing for their security and the argument that we have to take care of the poor.
[04:35] Look at how all the New Deal programs of the 1930s made the government grow.
[05:36] Deuteronomy chapter 10 verses 17 and 19.
[06:34] Deuteronomy 14 verses 28 and 29. Deuteronomy 24:19.
[08:12] People are to leave food for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow to glean.
[08:36] James chapter 1 verse 26. Charity of giving and visiting is also in The New Testament. Acts chapter 6 or the role of the deacon.
[12:36] When the church does charity properly it enhances the gospel.
[12:47] Second Thessalonians 3:10. If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
[13:32] Ezekiel 16. The greatest sin of Sodom was being arrogant, overfed, and under concerned and not taking care of the poor.
[14:57] Five points that define what real charity is. 1. Charity giving to those in need.
[15:29] What do the widow, the orphan, and the alien have in common? We are looking to support people who have legitimate needs.
[17:16] 2. Giving is voluntary. We can give what is ours to give. We can't give what isn't ours.
[18:28] 3. Christians should give out of love including their love of Christ and their love of their neighbor.
[18:50] 4. We should give the credit to Christ. He provides to us, so we can provide to others.
[19:59] 5. Charity should include relationship giving as much as possible. We need to meet the recipient when we can.
[21:56] The institution or mechanisms for meeting needs. As much as possible we should provide for our own families. We are the first defense against poverty.
[23:19] The third line of defense after family is the church. Fourth line of defense against poverty is other voluntary organizations.
[24:02] It's not legitimate for the government to provide charity at all. They can only give what belongs to other people.
[28:35] Should we violate God's laws to do good things?
[31:48] How welfare is a war on the poor.
[35:24] Economic research is even showing that the cause of poverty is government poverty programs.
[36:26] The money has to come from somewhere in the form of taxes.
[38:45] Rearranging resources does not add to the size of the pie.
[39:12] Providing something that somebody wants adds to the economy and makes you productive.
[41:04] Prices also go up when there are fewer goods and services.
[45:18] Davy Crockett was at one time a US congressman. He died defending the Alamo.
[51:28] When Congress stretches its authority beyond the Constitution there's no limit.
[57:30] There's a battle about who will do charity.
[58:12] 1. We need to make ourselves independent of government socialism and handouts. 2. We need to get ourselves out of debt. 3. We need to get our church members off of public assistance. 4. We need to get those outside of the church off of public assistance. 5. We need to get our charities off of public assistance. 6. We need to get the government out of charity.
On July 18th, 2011, Mike Winther gave this lecture on Government as an Apologetic at an IPS Government and Economics Conference hosted for Christian educators of private and home schools. The conference was held in Modesto, California. Mike dives right in and talks about what an apologetic is. Most of you have probably heard of Christian apologetics, which means those in defense of Christianity's claims and truths.
Since God has created every type of knowledge, every academic discipline and study should lead us to the Creator. Everything comes down to fundamentals. Mike talks about the fundamental ideas of Government and how it operates. He talks about authority and rights and where authority comes from. Mike explores all aspects of Government as an Apologetic as it applies to authority and biblical principles of truth.
You’ll Learn:
[01:15] In Christian circles, apologetics means in defense of something. We're making a defense for the claims and truths of Christianity.
[02:12] Every academic discipline can lead you to the Creator. God has created every area of knowledge.
[03:18] How can the government be an apologetic?
[05:06] It comes down to the fundamental ideas of what government is and how it operates. Were we created or did we evolve?
[07:51] The debate needs to be about the same argument.
[08:45] To be persuasive with people, you have to actually figure out where the issue lies on the decision tree.
[09:05] One of the first forks in the road with the decision tree is creation or evolution.
[10:43] One of our apologetics is the creation or evolution debate.
[11:01] Authority and rights in the government. Rights are powers that individual citizens in the government have. Authority is the government's power.
[13:46] The source of anything determines the use. This is a biblical principle and key concept.
[15:46] We need to know where our rights come from. We can't define a right until we know where it comes from.
[21:46] If the government gave us our rights, they could also take them away.
[22:22] The UN Declaration of Rights assumes that rights come from the government.
[23:28] Our constitution. If our constitution is modifiable, then can our rights be taken away?
[24:47] Secure rights have to come from a non-human source. Our rights come from God.
[25:58] Logic is a divine science that will lead you to the Creator.
[27:52] Source of rights. Authority and rights. Principal: The Source determines the use.
[28:07] If our rights come from God, our authority needs to come from God as well. Rights and authority need to come from the same source.
[30:40] Biblical guidelines: Jesus has all authority.
[34:49] Deuteronomy chapter 1. Moses thought that Jethro's advice to appoint judges was good counsel.
[37:26] Government systems. When teaching government you need to teach the fundamental systems of government.
[37:38] There are five systems of government: 1. Monarchy rule by one. 2. Oligarchy ruled by a few. 3. Democracy rules by majority. 4. Republic rule by law. 5. Anarchy is the absence of government authority.
[39:49] Anarchy is a vacuum and would get filled with chaos and other negative things.
[41:04] A monarchy's source of authority is a king or queen.
[42:05] Oligarchies are the most common form of government in the world. The committee agrees to watch each other's backs.
[44:28] Democracy is majority rule. The government does what the majority says. People who control information like the educational institutions and media like the idea of majority rule.
[45:50] Our founding fathers intended to create a republic which is rule by law. A republic could be the best form of government, but it depends on your laws.
[49:02] If you base your republic on laws with divine origin, then law does not come from man.
[52:15] Freedom and slavery are determined by where we get our law.
It seems that today, everything is filled with controversy. Mike Winther doesn't shy away from potentially contentious topics, as evidenced in his lecture that delves into the political and economic issues related to COVID-19. He addresses questions about masking, lockdowns, and the appropriate role of government during an epidemic.
His discussion begins with the fundamentals and underlying principles, which he then attempts to apply to the context of the pandemic. He starts with the political and governmental dimensions before exploring the economic implications. Additionally, he discusses concepts such as self-governance and the three God-ordained institutional governments, setting the stage for a principled examination of modern issues.
You’ll Learn:
[02:19] The three God ordained governments include the state government, the church government, and the family government.
[03:35] Rights and authority of civil government and the proper authority of government.
[04:41] He talks about legitimate powers of the government.
[05:24] Broadly speaking civil rights are rights of the citizens within a society.
[06:53] The proper role of civil government is everywhere except where it violates rights.
[08:16] We know from the Bible that there are limits on all governments including the civil government.
[09:11] Government authority comes from God. All authority has absolute boundaries. Scripture provides adequate tools for us to discover the proper role of government. Relativism and gray areas do not come from God.
[12:01] Rights of the citizens also come from God.
[13:31] As fewer Americans stop thinking our rights come from God, we lose liberty.
[16:14] The power of the civil government is to protect one person from another and adjudicate disputes.
[18:16] Does spreading Coronavirus infringe on other people's rights?
[22:02] We don't want the government to take away someone's rights unjustly.
[25:17] The view of the government is that they can infringe on people's rights and freedoms to avoid the spread of the virus.
[29:15] Mike talks about standards, reasonable cause, and presumption. He also talks about property rights.
[34:50] The practical aspects of how we deal with a pandemic.
[40:03] Mike gives an example of property rights and how it relates to smoking in restaurants.
[46:10] The idea of presumption. One is innocent until proven guilty. Relativism is the belief that there are no absolutes.
[47:24] A bright line is a line of separation between two things. It's a concept that divides one thing from another.
[50:52] If you can't find a bright line, you are using relativism for decision making, because there is no absolute.
[53:24] A better way to decide what is proper for the government is God's way and reading the scripture.
[54:16] We need a standard of what the government can and cannot do.
[54:29] Economic issues and voluntary versus compulsory. Christians are likely to do the right thing. The more people are exposed to a Biblical worldview, the more people will be concerned about others.
[56:13] People are less likely to disengage from commerce if they can't pay the bills.
Mike Winther continues his valuable teaching on economics, government, and history in section 8a of his Biblical Principles of Government course. Have you ever wondered how an economy grows? Mike begins by discussing growth, inflation, and increasing the money supply, answering these questions using his ongoing small island economy example.
He also addresses incentives to invest and explains how market downturns are less severe when people have substantial savings. Additionally, we learn why a fixed economy would benefit more individuals. After covering economic topics, Mike shifts his focus to education.
He explores the biblical view of whom we teach and how we teach. He also shares concepts both inside and outside the Overton window, the differences between Puritans and separatists, what parents know about teachers, and many other intriguing ideas and examples. As usual, this lecture is as relevant today as it was when it was first recorded.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] If we didn't have inflation or the money supply increased, how would the economy grow?
[00:55] Thinking the economy can't grow without inflation is a Keynesian philosophy.
[01:06] Mike goes back to the island example to illustrate his point.
[02:18] He talks about how the value of money can increase and help retirees and all of us with a motivation to save and invest.
[04:20] Education. Deuteronomy 6:4
[05:47] Who gets education? Who do we educate? How do we educate?
[07:28] Mike shares concepts outside the Overton window.
[10:04] He talks about Puritan versus separatist.
[14:35] kids learn to read and write to properly decipher the word of God.
[19:16] What do parents know about their children's teachers?
[21:43] In 1831, Tocqueville said that it's rare to find a student who hasn't had teaching about the Constitution of the United States. There also weren't government schools.
[27:06] Mike talks about the State having more authority over our children's education. The idea of switching the Overton window from private to public education.
[33:38] What we teach our kids in high school matters because it affects what they believe later on when they become adults and start deciding for themselves.
[34:38] We need to look at education and ask what the ideal should be.
[35:25] It should be an ideal that the education of our kids is Christian and private.
[38:32] When you put the word state in a school it means it's a government school.
[38:54] Why is our educational system feeling? Socialism and communism. What it teaches.
[39:38] Mike shares quotes by Martin Luther.
[40:24] AA Hodge quotes on government education.
[41:48] Strategy: Decrease public education. Increase private education. Don't fund the enemy. Vote down the school bond issues. We need to fund good ideas. Educate yourself. Educate others.
This episode is about getting insight into the strategies of our enemies. Mike Winther dives into some of the evil strategies used to hide the truth and deceive the public. We are called to be people of integrity and righteousness.
Our strategies, techniques, and everything we do should be above board. We should have ethics and be children of the light. This lecture about defending against public deception was given in June of 2012 in Colorado.
You’ll Learn:
[01:47] Just because we are children of the light, it doesn't mean the whole world operates that way. Christians sometimes have a hard time discerning, because they don't think people out there are evil.
[02:14] Matthew 10:16 talks about sheep in the midst of wolves.
[04:40] Modern Christians engage as if we are playing against random moves. We need to realize we are playing chess against a living, breathing, and thinking opponent.
[05:14] Our spiritual opponent is Satan. He uses deception to try to make his work seem light. We also have temporal enemies or people with different views who want to direct our family, institutions, and society in a different way than we would like for it to go.
[06:52] We should understand thedirection of our enemy.
[07:58] 1. The centralization of institutions. God prefers to work through decentralization. Satan prefers centralization.
[11:56] 2. Dependence. We should really only be dependent on Christ.
[13:52] 3. Relativism. Both our spiritual and temporal enemies want to eliminate absolute truth.
[14:56] 4. Separation from God and God's word.
[16:34] 5. Our enemies want to move away from accountability. God says that we are all accountable.
[21:39]Methods of our enemies.
[22:08] 1. Inaccurate labels. Improper labeling can be used to advance an agenda.
[33:27] 2. Peer influence. We become vulnerable to people who have the same labels as us. We need to evaluate truth and facts from the beginning no matter who we're talking to.
[34:35] 3. False leadership. We need to be very careful about leadership.
[37:06] 4. The dialectic, a philosophical theory developed by Hegel that describes how societal change happens.
[41:40] 5. The action is in the reaction. Sometimes we try to fix something and make it worse.
[43:14] 6. Understanding the case and plan. The plan is the policy and the case is the reason.
[47:17] 7. Fear. We become irrational when we become afraid. This is a tool used by Satan and our mortal enemies.
[49:44] 8. Duplicate of choice. This is where we're given two choices and convinced that those are the only two choices.
[57:10] 9. My enemy's enemy is not necessarily my friend. Often we choose someone because they have the same enemy that we do.
Mike concludes his discussion of the Constitution Under Siege in part four of this lecture series. He talks about the current education system's focus on teaching about the UN instead of how the US Congress works and the subtle centralization of power changing how the next generation thinks.
He explores the history of the Constitution's passing, the role of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers, the concept of nullification, and the idea of jury nullification. The conversation also touches on the apportionment of taxes, the history of income tax in America, and the arguments some states used to challenge Obamacare.
Mike also discusses his motivation for starting the Institute for Principle Studies to teach people about God's principles of ethics, economics, and history.
You’ll Learn:
[01:32] How the formal education system is now more interested in teaching about the UN than about how our US Congress works. This is part of the shifting of authority.
[02:15] There's a conscious effort to push towards a centralization of power. Which is a dangerous concept. It's subtly changing the way the next generation thinks.
[03:07] The Constitution had to be passed by three quarters of the States. The Federalist Papers were to explain the Constitution to the people through letters in the newspaper.
[05:16] There were also the Anti-Federalist Papers of people who opposed the Constitution. Nullification is about the concept of State nullification.
[06:07] The Supreme Court is not the final arbiter of the Constitution. The founding fathers believed the ultimate court was in the states.
[08:01] The source determines the use. The states gave the federal government power, so they should be arbiters of that power.
[11:35] There have been many cases in history where states have nullified federal law.
[12:00] Jury nullification is the idea that a jury can nullify a law if they think it's a good idea.
[12:25] William Penn confesses to preaching without a license, and the jury found him innocent.
[13:14] They found the defendant innocent and the law guilty. The judge put them in jail. This established the principle of jury nullification.
[18:05] Article 1 Section 2 of The Constitution says representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned.
[20:16] Direct taxes are also apportioned. Indirect taxes are tariffs and sales taxes.
[25:59] Income tax was unconstitutional in America up until 1913 when the 16th Amendment passed.
[29:03] Arguments some states used to challenge Obamacare.
[33:54] Mike breaks down why he started the Institute for Principle Studies. He wanted to teach people God's principles of ethics, economics, and history.
Mike Winther gives a lecture on Christians and Patriotism. He kicks things off with a little history lesson about the congregation of Pastor Jonas Clark in Lexington, Massachusetts. Clark taught biblical principles on all subjects including government. The congregation also had target practice after church.
All of this leads up to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. These regular people who took up arms and decided to fight the British army were patriots. In this lecture, Mike talks about the principles that our government was based on. He talks about the colonial experience and examples that we can apply today. He goes into building the Kingdom of Christ, restoring America, and how it all comes down to patriotism.
You’ll Learn:
[00:41] Dr. Jonas Clark was a pastor of a small church in Lexington, Massachusetts. In Lexington and Concord, the shot that was heard around the world was fired.
[01:22] Pastor Clark applied scripture to all subjects including government and political life. He would preach about the current political issues of the day.
[02:27] In 1775, the British were concerned about the brewing rebellion. They were concerned with the pastors and the militia. The British army wanted to confiscate the militia's weapons.
[03:21] The British were met with a variety of men from Jonas Clark's Church. A number of colonists were hit.
[04:01] By the time the British get to Concord, they encounter a force that requires them to retreat.
[05:24] Is it Christian and biblical to be patriotic?
[07:06] Patriotism is love of one's country with passion to serve that country.
[07:54] Patriotism is pride and love and action.
[08:23] Mike talks about times when patriotism could be a sin.
[14:40] The principal of God ordained governments. The scriptures talk about three government institutions: church, family, and civil government. Authority comes from God.
[17:52] 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 12 through 14.
[20:18] There is one kingdom throughout the Bible and all those authority comes from God.
[27:14] God rules with a rod of iron. God rules and God is in control.
[30:16] How all ideas have consequences, and the two kingdom view is actually gaining popularity in America.
[30:50] If you're going to be obedient and love something you should love God. Your patriotism should glorify God.
[35:47] Where is our allegiance when we pledge allegiance? Is our patriotism misplaced?
[38:10] Patriotism needs to be for the Godly ideas of the nation. Mike shares reasons to be patriotic to a nation.
[43:32] Mike challenges us to be patriotic to principles, ideas, and to a Godly cause.
Mike Winther discusses the outcomes and consequences of certain ideas that have led to protests, the removal of monuments, media censorship, and the suppression of diverse viewpoints. He begins his lecture by delving into the origins of these ideas, starting with the concept of race, and includes a biblical creationist perspective.
Additionally, he contrasts the biblical view of race with the evolutionary perspective. He explores three types of equality: equality of outcome, equality of opportunity, and equality under the law. Mike also addresses topics such as justice, equity, and the risks of qualifying justice. Finally, he examines how these concepts influence politics.
You’ll Learn:
[03:06] The concept of race.
[03:25] Webster's 1828 dictionary says that race is the lineage of a family or a series of descendants indefinitely, thus all mankind is called the race of Adam.
[04:55] Our modern definition of race usually refers to descendants of a certain culture or skin tone.
[05:10] He also talks about the biblical creationist perspective of race. Man was created in the image of God.
[07:48] God created one race which is mankind.
[13:40] Mike talks about Charles Darwin and The Origin of The Species along with the full title and its perspective.
[14:56] Evolution and racism.
[16:30] In the 1960s, an undercover agent infiltrated the KKK and turned a lot of evidence over to the FBI. The communist party financed the group.
[19:57] Orthodox Christian views do not allow for racism.
[20:24] The definition of equality.
[21:55] Equality of outcome. The only way to achieve quality of outcome is to treat people differently.
[23:44] Equality of opportunity. Opportunity would have to be taken away from those with more given to those with less.
[24:30] Equality of law. This is what Mike advocates. People should have equal value, equal rights, and be treated equally by the government.
What is justice? How do we define it? Sometimes, it is defined as fairness. Paying a debt or being punished for a crime are considered subcategories of justice. Everyone claims to desire justice, yet in the modern world, we often grapple with defining its true essence.
In this lecture, Mike Winther delves into the Biblical perspective of justice. Drawing from the Bible, we learn that the Lord expects us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Winther discusses various interpretations of justice across different societies, the concepts of right and wrong, and more.
You’ll Learn:
[02:10] The Lord requires us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
[05:10] Two opposing things can't be right. How do we know what is right? Justice comes from God or reason and logic. One is God and one is man.
[07:20] What is the origin of Justice? How do we know?
[10:14] Social justice is defined as economic equality. Is economic inequality unjust?
[12:01] When we start hyphenating justice, it becomes an issue.
[12:48] Analyzing justice in relation to the law. The purpose of law is to create a system that is just.
[13:56] We can also look at justice in relation to public opinion.
[14:49] Relationship to equality. The problem with equality is that we can't actually define it. There's equality of outcome, equality of opportunity, and equality under the law.
[21:26] The relationship between justice and equality. True justice is only found in equality of the law, but it does not guarantee justice.
[23:13] Lady justice is in front of court buildings all over the world. She's blind. She has a sword. The scales are weighing the facts to create justice.
[26:03] Parliamentary debaters bring cultural, art, and historical references into the argument.
In Matthew 16 Jesus says upon this rock He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The gates of hell are not an offensive weapon, they are a defense. In this imagery, Jesus’s church is supposed to be on the offense. Too often the church has played defense. In this lecture Mike Winther continues his lecture on why we need to be aggressive in beating down the gates.
This is part four of a four-part series on fighting the Lord’s Battles. The three previous lectures focused on preparing for the battle, family, and church. Today’s episode is on the state. This lecture series was given by Mike Winther at the Big Valley Grace Community Church men’s ministry onFebruary 22, 2021. It’s time for Christians to get off of the sidelines and join the battle.
You’ll Learn:
[04:20] Tonight, Mike is talking about attacking the gates in the civil government sphere. He says that this message is the most difficult.
[04:50] There are three god-ordained government institutions. There is family government, church government, and civil government.
[05:25] Every institution has a purpose. Satan wants the state to do what the family should do. Satan wants to confuse the roles.
[06:25] All authority is given to Jesus.
[06:50] We get our authority from God. The civil government should get authority from God also.
[07:33] There are two biblically mandated roles for the civil government. Civil government has boundaries.
[08:40] What is the proper role of government?
[10:17] It's the job of the civil government to adjudicate disputes and to protect the rights of the innocent. The civil court system. Exodus 18:13 - 27. You can find this throughout Leviticus and Deuteronomy and Romans 13.
[12:19] There's a difference between protecting our rights and protecting us.
[14:45] The nature of the state. George Washington said that government is not reason or eloquence, but it is force. Like fire, it's a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
[15:49] Civil government is a blessing to society as long as it's contained within its proper role.
[18:20] The worst thing in the world is to become active before you know what you're doing. We need to study the government and study the Bible.
[19:06] Satan has changed the role of the government to a positive role.
[21:30] We need to know where the government gets its authority. God doesn't give unchecked authority to any human being. Governments need checks and balances.
[22:21] The civil government has the power of the sword. We need to define a bright line around proper government action.
[25:48] When ancient Israel came out of Egypt. Joshua 2:8 After 40 years, they attempted to go into the promised land again. The enemy feared Israel.
[28:56] We need to lead and engage in the battle not be doomed to die in the desert.
[29:42] John Adams talks about how it's his duty to study the science of government. We need to study!
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 represents and governs all citizens.
In searching for principles to guide government, he points out that Scripture offers clear guidelines on what government should and should not do. He also asserts that God's commands and guidance to individuals also apply to groups, emphasizing that what applies to the individual should also apply to the collective, unless scripture specifies otherwise.
You’ll Learn:
[00:34] "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." Thomas Jefferson
[01:06] The principal of The Collective Application of God's Commands.
[01:28] Individualism is when we deal with individuals. Collectivism is dealing with the whole.
[01:39] Government is a collective that represents all of the citizens and rules all of the citizens.
[01:48] We often look for principles to guide the government. There are principles in Scripture that give guidelines for what the government should and should not do.
[01:57] God's commands and guidance to us as individuals also applies to us as groups. We can assert what applies to the individual applies to the collective unless scripture specifically states otherwise.
[02:34] Capital punishment is given as an authority to civil government.
[03:10] An example of individual versus collective.
[08:48] Socialism places limits on the ownership of private property.
[09:19] We need to understand the idea of economic loss. The more goods and services we produce will result in the price going down.
[14:02] We produce for a number of reasons including its built into our DNA and it mimics God. We can help others by producing more and giving them the fruit of our labor.
[20:25] Contrasting the loyalty of serving your fellow man or being given things by the government.
[23:49] The philosophical schools of economics: The classical school of economics includes teachings by Adam Smith. A partial free market scenario.
[25:29] The Keynesian School of Economics from John Maynard Keynes. The government needs to manage and control the economy. Stimulation and slowing down an economy and having a central bank came from Keynes.
[26:46] The Neoclassical School of Economics is kind of between the other two.
[26:58] The Chicago School of Economics comes from the University of Chicago. The father of this school is Milton Friedman. He says government intervention is damaging the economy and moves closer to a free market model.
[27:41] The Austrian School of Economics. Pure free market economics.
[30:00] Mike talks about environmental issues and economics.
[39:41] Using government policy to choose winners and losers.
[44:54] Ethanol is a net negative energy source.
[46:42] Debt and deficits.
[53:38] Jobs are not the measure of our well-being, it's the goods and services that we have.
In Part Two of the Constitution Under Siege, Mike Winther discusses the foundational principles of the American system. He explores the seventh foundation principle: the sovereignty of the states. Mike explains how the states created the federal government, not the other way around, and emphasizes the importance of state control in selecting the president and the Senate.
He also talks about the idea of government authority in America. He highlights the importance of decentralizing power to combat corruption and potential loopholes in the Constitution. He also explores the three main views on interpreting the Constitution, including the living document view, original intent view, and exact meaning of the text view. He also talks about understanding the necessary and proper clause and how it relates to the enumerated powers.
You’ll Learn:
[01:29] Government authority in America starts with the states, which delegate authority to cities and counties.
[02:48] Powers that were once at the state level have been moved to the federal level, and now even federal powers are being moved to an international level.
[03:11] Satan always wants to centralize government institutions. Satan is at a strategic disadvantage to God because he is not omnipresent.
[04:31] Satan can overcome his lack of omnipresence by centralizing human institutions and influencing the top of the organizational chart.
[05:18] Strategically, Satan always wants to centralize human institutions, while God is a decentralizer.
[06:21] Whenever you see centralization of human institutions, be very skeptical because it gives Satan more influence and it is also bad because of the sin nature of man.
[06:49] The sin nature of man makes leaders want to centralize power, leading to more corruption. Decentralizing government and separating power can help combat corruption.
[08:33] There are different methods of interpreting the Constitution, just as there are different methods of interpreting the Bible. Understanding these methods can help us better understand the Constitution.
[08:59] The living breathing document view of the Constitution.
[09:05] The belief that the Constitution needs to be modified and improved as society changes
[09:23] The evolutionary view of societal and legal evolution.
[10:18] The lack of absolute right and wrong in an evolutionary world.
[10:34] The belief that what was wrong yesterday could be right today in a constantly evolving society.
[11:18] The evolution of the Constitution happened in the judicial branch.
[11:22] Judges believe it's their job to modernize the Constitution and update it, even if it means going against the letter of the law.
[13:33] Evolutionary thinking filters into every area of society, including the law and how judges interpret the Constitution.
[14:39] There are three main views on interpreting the Constitution: the living document view, the original intent view, and the exact meaning of the text view.
[15:48] Scalia's view on interpreting the law, complied with the formula Mike had been teaching for over 20 years.
[16:21] Mike outlines his three-step formula for interpreting the law. 1. What do the words say? 2. What is the original intent? 3. Has there been a precedent set?
[19:14] The Constitution is designed to contain the fire of government, but there are constitutional loopholes that allow the fire to get out of the container.
[21:31] The necessary and proper clause, found in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is a potential loophole clause that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. It allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.
[22:38] The Constitution has a document of enumerated powers, and most of the federal powers are listed in Article 1, Section 8.
[25:08] The necessary and proper clause in the Constitution only allows Congress to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying into execution the enumerated powers, and nothing more. This clause does not grant additional power to the federal government.
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