SCS Course Descriptions

Studies in Christian Statesmanship™ Catalog

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Studies in Principle

Level One Lectures:

Lectures are available as follows: As audiotapes both individually or as sets; as videotapes, in sets only;

Introduction

1101 – Introduction to Levels 1 & 2, Overview & Faculty Introductions

Daniel Eby introduces the vision and program, and CLP leaders introduce the faculty members for the Studies in Principle field, Levels One and Two, who provide a brief overview of their subject: R. C. Sproul, Jr., Herbert W. Titus, Daniel Eby, Christopher Strevel, James B. Rose, Marshall Foster, and Stephen McDowell.

Worldview

1111 – R. C. Sproul Jr., What is a Worldview?

Our worldview is the sum total of our convictions. Its foundation includes how we know what we know, our basic purposes, and our view of man and of God. (Sproul makes us comfortable with the terms epistemology, teleology, anthropology, and theology.) If the superstructure is carefully constructed (alas, often not the case!) every part of it is consistent with the foundation.

Law

1121 – Herbert W. Titus, The Bible: Law Book for the Nations

The subject of this lecture is The Ten Commandments. How do these laws apply to a civil order—in a nation where some are agnostics, atheists, Moslems, Buddhists, etc.?

Citizenship

1131 – Daniel Eby, Raising Godly Citizens

Eby passionately believes that the Christian home is the foundation for godly citizenship. If parents will build on two foundational pillars (1, Biblical Education and Learning; 2, Government and Obedience) and pursue a family curriculum for raising statesmen, they will bring up children who prove their competency, overcome the lies and temptations of the world, and yield their lives in Christian service.

Apologetics

1141 – Christopher Strevel, Public Witness & Christian Apologetics

Strevel defines Apologetics as the defense of our Christian faith. Apologetics is saying to the world (in a humble, loving way), “I’m right and you’re wrong!” Strevel gives four reasons why Christians must engage in Christian apologetics, and three ways in which Christian apologetics in the public arena has been compromised.

Government

1151 – James Rose, Thinking Governmentally

Rose asks the challenging question, “Who is in control of daily life?” He then presents three basic presuppositions:

1. 1. There is only one God governing.

2. 2. He governs in two spheres, the internal and the external.

3. 3. He has ordained three divine institutions: family, church, and civil government.

History

1161 – Marshall Foster, The Providential Drama of History

After recounting several of the miracles in history, Foster asks, “Who is accountable for the fall of America? Isn’t it the believer? We’re the ones who let go of America! So if there is a remembrance, could there not be an awakening? There must be a remembrance of how far we have fallen.”

Nations

1171 – Stephen McDowell, God’s Sovereignty Over the Nations

This lecture presents an overview of God’s sovereignty over the nations and addresses several questions: How does God accomplish His purposes for the nations? How are nations built? What responsibility do nations have to God? What are God’s purposes in the affairs of men?

Texts:

Text for All Seven Subjects of Studies in Principle, Level 1 (1111 through 1171):

1101– First Steps to Statesmanship, Daniel Eby et al, eds.

Edited by Daniel Eby, David Barrett and Roxanne Sitler, this text contains one chapter by each of seven outstanding authors: R. C. Sproul, Jr., Herbert W. Titus, Daniel Eby, Christopher Strevel, James Rose, Marshall Foster, and Stephen McDowell. Their topics, respectively, are Worldview, Law, Citizenship, Apologetics, Government, History, and Nations.

Level Two Lectures:

Worldview

2111 – Sproul, Lecture 1: The Foundation

Sproul develops the reason why man’s chief end (and God’s chief end!) is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Indeed, the reason why all things exist is to shout out that God is glorious.

2112 – Sproul, Lecture 2: Be Not Conformed to this World

Sproul defines “plausibility structures,” demolishes relativism, and urges us to take every thought captive.

2113 – Sproul, Lecture 3: God’s View vs. the World’s View

The lecturer shows how to find and test the epistemology of any belief system. He exposes the Enlightenment and the age of empiricism. Under all Godless belief systems, the proponents’ problem is not intellectual, it’s moral. But they are all doomed! If you will not have God rule over you, you will have the state rule over you.

Worldview Text:

_____ Tearing Down Strongholds, by R. C. Sproul Jr.

Description …Available Summer 2002

Law

2121 – Titus, Lecture 1: The Biblical Principles 1

This lecture examines the nature of law—What makes law, law? Defining law as “a rule prescribed by a superior that an inferior is bound to obey,” Titus firmly establishes the fact that God is the source of all law. We’ve abandoned the Scripture as the source and measure of right and wrong, and in so doing we have lost both liberty and law. The common law as revealed in nature and in the Holy Scripture is the only standard by which we can ever be a government of law, and not of men.

2122 – Titus, Lecture 2: The Biblical Principles 2

This lecture deals with diversities of authority. Titus defines God’s authority of the Spirit, the rod, the staff, and the sword, in three jurisdictions: family, church, and civil government. He emphasizes the fact that civil rulers’ authority must be limited, if there is to be liberty.

2123 – Titus, Lecture 3: The Biblical Principles 3

This lecture deals with the principle of equality. The Bible recognizes one race, many nations, two sexes. “Created equal” means “equal legally”: equally entitled to common-law rights; equally entitled to exercise dominion. Special privileges (entitlements) are unbiblical. But, national distinctions, and attendant privileges, are Biblical.

Law Text:

_____ God, Man and Law: The Biblical Principles, by Herbert W. Titus

Citizenship

2131 – Dr. Marshall Fritz, Lecture 1: Education

2132 – Dr. Tom Rose, Lecture 2: Economics

2133 – Eby, Lecture 3: Civics

Citizenship Text on Education:

_____ Excused Absence, by Douglas Wilson

Citizenship Text on Economics:

_____ _____________, by Tom Rose

Citizenship Text on Civics:

_____ To be developed, by Daniel Eby

Apologetics

2141 – Strevel, Lecture 1: The Trivium of Christian Apologetics

Strevel develops the goal, the standard, and the method of Christian apologetics.

2142 – Strevel, Lecture 2: Absolute Certainty & Christian Apologetics

The Word of the Lord is the foundation for certainty. There are five Biblical foundations for absolute certainty:

1. God is the only source of knowledge. 2. There are two levels of knowing: Ours is finite; His is absolute, complete. 3. The knowledge of God is inescapable. 4. The Fourth Foundation for Certainty: Jesus Christ. 5. Faith precedes knowledge.

2143 – Strevel, Lecture 3: The Apostolic Model for Christian Apologetics

This lecture examines Paul as a model, and his method and mindset as demonstrated in Acts 17 in defending the faith.

Apologetics Text:

_____ Every Thought Captive, by Richard L. Pratt.

Government

2151 – Rose, Lecture 1: Governmental Principles 1

Rose examines the first basic presupposition: There is only one God governing.

2152 – Rose, Lecture 2: Governmental Principles 2

Here we examine the second basic presupposition: God governs in two spheres of government.

2153 – Rose, Lecture 3: Governmental Principles 3

Rose develops his third presupposition: God has ordained three divine institutions—family, church, and civil government.

Government Text:

_____ To be developed, by James B. Rose

History

2161 – Foster, Lecture 1: The Creation of Christendom

The mighty heroes of the world conquered nations for themselves and made them miserable. The apostles conquered them for Christ and made them happy. The “Dark Ages” were actually an Age of Faith.

2162 – Foster, Lecture 2: European Reformation

This lecture highlights Martin Luther, “Reluctant Revolutionary,” John Calvin, “Mental Engine of the Reformation,” and Five Ideas that Changed the World.

2163 – Foster, Lecture 3: The Miracle of America

Foster shows the roots of the Constitution in the diverse ecclesiastical forms that were represented in the Colonies. He traces the path from Awakening to Revolution. He then highlights the patriot pulpit, the forgotten miracles of the Continental Army, and finally America’s forgetting her destiny—which gave rise to the birth of secularism in America.

History Text:

_____ The American Covenant, The Untold Story by Marshall Foster and Mary Elaine Swanson

Nations

2171 – McDowell, Lecture 1: How to Disciple Nations

From Matthew 28:19-20, Deuteronomy 4:5-8, II Corinthians 3:17, and Proverbs 29:18, McDowell draws the orders, the promises and the warnings related to our task of discipling the nations. He points to God’s authority and jurisdictions, and the purpose and responsibility of the individual, the family, the church, and the civil government.

2172 – McDowell, Lecture 2: Fulfilling the Cultural Mandate

Genesis 1:28 says, “…fill the earth and subdue it.” McDowell encourages us to fulfill this mandate in six ways:Discover truth through science; Apply truth through technology; Interpret truth through the humanities; Implement truth through commerce and social action; Transmit truth through education and the arts; Preserve truth through government and law.

2173 – McDowell, Lecture 3: Influence of the Bible on the Development of American Constitutionalism

Civil liberty is the product of the Bible in the hands of the people. Christianity is the source of both civil liberty and American Constitutionalism. McDowell traces the development of civil liberty, including religious liberty, over several centuries, climaxing in our Declaration of Independence. This lecture is a very fitting capstone to the Studies in Principle, Level Two.

Nations Text:

_____ Liberating the Nations, by Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles