politics exam

Jews = Hebrews = Israelites

Different names referring to the same people

Torah

Means teaching, not just law

Hebrew Scriptures

Claimed as real historical events, not myth or fiction

Historical View

Jewish thought is concrete and grounded in real events

Creation Account

One Creator, one creation, one human race

Unity of Humanity

All people come from the same origin

The Fall

Introduction of sin into human nature

Tower of Babel

Example of human unity used for evil purposes

Garden of Eden

Original state of human life before sin

Human Dominion

Humans given authority over animals

Anarchy (Pre-Fall Idea)

No human government needed if no sin

Theocracy

System where people live under God’s authority

Tree of Knowledge

Test of obedience to God

Equality of Men and Women

Eve created from Adam’s side, not inferior

Yahweh

Name of God meaning “I AM WHO I AM”

Monotheism

Belief in one God, unique in ancient world

Judaism

Both a religion and an ethnicity

Covenant

Agreement between God and His people

Covenant with Adam

Obedience required for life

Covenant with Noah

Promise after the flood

Covenant with Abraham

Promise of land and descendants

Covenant with Israel

Nation set apart for God

Covenant with David

Promise of lasting kingship

Chosen People

Israelites set apart from other nations

Abraham

Founder of the Israelite people

Isaac

Son of Abraham, part of covenant line

Jacob (Israel)

Father of the twelve tribes

Twelve Tribes

Descendants of Jacob forming Israel

Gentiles

Non-Israelite nations

Judges

Leaders who governed, judged, and led militarily

Role of Judges

Combined political, legal, and military authority

Deborah

Female judge and prophet

Samson

Judge known for strength and failure

Decentralized Government

System during Judges period

Judges 21:25

Everyone did what was right in their own eyes

Self-Governance

Sometimes seen as a blessing from God

Israel Wants a King

Desire to be like other nations

Warning About Kings

Kings would abuse power

Saul

First king of Israel

David

King after God’s heart

Solomon

Wise king who led to division

United Kingdom

Israel under Saul, David, Solomon

Divided Kingdom

Israel split into north and south

Northern Kingdom

Israel, all kings considered evil

Southern Kingdom

Judah, some good kings but mostly evil

Egypt

Early empire interacting with Israel

Assyria

Conquered northern kingdom

Babylon

Conquered Judah

Persia

Allowed Jews to return

Alexander the Great

Spread Greek influence

Rome

Major empire during later history

Daniel’s Prophecy

Predicted future empires

Statue Dream

Gold, silver, bronze, iron representing empires

Beast Vision

Animals symbolizing empires

Ethics (Old Testament)

Care for poor, widows, and strangers

Usury

Charging interest discouraged

Year of Jubilee

50th year debts forgiven and slaves freed

Sabbatical Year

Land rests every 7 years

Women in OT

Had leadership roles despite patriarchy

Miriam

Female prophet

Huldah

Female prophet

Ruth

Example of faithfulness

Esther

Jewish queen who saved her people

War in OT

Sometimes commanded by God

Violence

Seen as part of fallen world

Messiah

Promised future savior and king

Kingdom of God (OT)

Future peace and restoration

Day of the Lord

Time of judgment and restoration

Christianity

Began within Judaism and expanded to Gentiles

Kingdom Language

Terms like Lord and King are political

Kingdom of God

God’s rule over all life

Christ vs Caesar

Conflict between Jesus and earthly rulers

Jesus as King

Seen as rival to Roman authority

Not of This World

Kingdom is not earthly but affects earth

Two Comings

First suffering, second reigning

Church (Ecclesia)

Community set apart from the world

World (Kosmos)

System opposed to God

Love Not the World

Reject sinful values

Antithesis

Conflict between good and evil systems

Kingdom Conflict

Ongoing struggle between God and evil

Sermon on the Mount

Teaching on humility and righteousness

Golden Rule

Treat others as you want to be treated

Ethic of Love

Central command in Christianity

Faith and Works

True faith produces action

Servanthood

Leadership through serving others

Power

Central to politics but dangerous

Corruption of Power

Power leads to selfishness

Public Power

Government authority

Private Power

Influence of businesses

Sphere Sovereignty

Different areas have independent authority

Government Limits

State should not control everything

Family Sphere

Independent authority

Church Sphere

Spiritual authority

State Sphere

Maintains justice

Subsidiarity

Decisions made at lowest level possible

Deception in Politics

Lies and manipulation are common

Wise as Serpents

Be aware and strategic

Innocent as Doves

Stay morally pure

Naive Voters

Often easily misled

Political Reality

Focus on gaining power