Podcast Principle Perspective with Mike Winther by Mike Winther

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Biblical Principles of Government (10b)

Episode 96

mercredi 19 juin 2024 • Duration 50:12

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (10a)

Episode 95

mercredi 12 juin 2024 • Duration 52:44

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (5b)

Episode 86

mercredi 10 avril 2024 • Duration 50:19

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (5a)

mercredi 3 avril 2024 • Duration 48:39

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (4b)

mercredi 27 mars 2024 • Duration 01:03:56

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (4a)

mercredi 20 mars 2024 • Duration 43:58

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.

Your Resources:

Biblical Principles of Government (3b)

mercredi 13 mars 2024 • Duration 36:48

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (3a)

mercredi 6 mars 2024 • Duration 56:59

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (2b)

mercredi 28 février 2024 • Duration 33:58

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.

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Biblical Principles of Government (2a)

mercredi 21 février 2024 • Duration 51:44

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.