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Front Page Article
"The Lenses of Reformation Concerning State Government and Record-Keeping" by Dr. Patti Amsden Each Good record-keeping is necessary in order to have continuity between the past and the present. Every field of endeavor grows out of that which has preceded it. For example, every science ascertains new discoveries based upon the scientific principles already substantiated. What can be known in any arena of life or education grows as the whole body of information enlarges. Knowledge accumulates. Past knowledge is available because of records. Education is imparted because of records. Recorded information provides the basis for future knowledge in all arenas of human interaction. Reformation lens #1 – Record-keeping provides access to knowledge that has been accumulated in the past and gives a platform for knowledge to increase in the present. Record-keeping not only provides a depository of knowledge but also chronicles the historicity of men’s deeds. Good record-keeping is necessary to have an accurate testimony. God responds from heaven to the testimony of men on the earth. Moses required that all of Israel gather to re-hear the recorded law. (Deut. 30:15-20; 31:9-13) The reading of the law – or the reading of the records – gave an accurate testimony of God’s will. Israel was required to say “amen” or testify to the truth that had been recorded in her history. Based upon Israel’s affirmation of the validity of that recorded law, God sent forth His promised blessings. If, however, Israel’s history that which was on record was testifying of another standard rather than God’s laws, God sent forth His promised cursing. Reformation lens #2 – Record-keeping provides a testimony of the acts of men, and God releases sanctions based upon that which is recorded. Any and every government is charged with record keeping specific to that government’s jurisdictional authority. If the jurisdiction is a business, the records of that business are kept by the executives of that company. If the jurisdiction is Christ’ church, the ekklesia is commanded to keep sound doctrine and pass on the tenets of the faith (2 Tim. 2:1-2). If the jurisdiction is the civil government, then the civil must accurately record its constitution, its law, and its history. Scripture testifies of the importance of the duty of record-keeping during the rule of King David (2 Sam. 8:15-15; 20:24), King Solomon (I Ki. 4:1-4), King Hezekiah (2 Ki. 18:18, 37), King Josiah (2 Chron. 34:8), Ezra (Ezra 4:15), and Ahasuerus (Est. 6:1). Reformation lens #3 – All governmental systems, including civil government, bear the duty of record-keeping that is jurisdictionally applicable. |
The Lenses of Reformation Concerning the Role of Courts and Civil Justice
March, 2019 |