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God Ordained Social Systems
Dr. Del Tackett explains what he means by "social systems" or "social spheres". Just as God has created the physical realm, which is filled with elegant systems, so has He also created the social realm. It, too, consists of systems with pieces and parts that all work together for their unique and grand purposes according to God’s design. The Scriptures contain the blueprints for these social systems, each clearly bearing the marks of God’s nature and character. These “design documents” are more general in nature than specific. Yet they provide sufficient guidance so that we, who have a tendency to modify them according to our own personal whims and agendas, can understand their original design, even when our attempts have warped them—with horrible consequences. In my study of the Scriptures, I find there to be six, yea seven, of these social systems.
--Dr. Del Tackett
Co-host, Cross Examine
The Trinity
This is the "Grand Social System" that has been in existence for all eternity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God, yet existing in three persons, each with unique roles and responsibilities. The reality is that God exists as a socially complex Being rather than a monolithic being. It should not surprise us, therefore, that the universe reflects the unity and diversity of its Creator. The three Persons are in perfect harmony, relationship, communion, and fellowship with each other, and this aspect of God’s nature is indelibly stamped upon His design of the social realm. It is the very basis for the existence of social order and notions of authority, submission, roles, responsibility, delegation, intimacy, and communication. All of the other aspects of social relationships and order find their origin in the Triune God.
God & Man
This social system is the provision God made for the personal relationship and communion in which each believer in Christ has the privilege to partake. It is the “mystical union” that exists between God and man, calling him to personal worship and prayer, adoration and fellowship, and a multitude of intimate privileges granted only to the legitimate children of the King.
The Family
This, one of the first social systems that God created, beautifully bears the mark of the Triune God, highlighted by the intimate union and oneness of the husband and the wife. This mystery of unity is profound, as Paul declares, yet it is a mystery that is bound up in the nature of God Himself. Children are the third part of this social system, and they proceed from both the father and the mother. Malachi 2:15 states that God made the two one because He was seeking "godly offspring." The family has a multitude of design specifications stated throughout the Scripture that provide family member roles and responsibilities and guide the way the husband and wife and their children are to relate to each other.
The Church
This social system refers to the local institutional church rather than the body of Christ at large. It consists of three elements: the leaders, the flock, and Christ as the "Head." There are many design guidelines in the Scriptures which direct how the leaders and the flock are to relate to each other and which describe their roles and responsibilities. Scripture also clearly states the qualifications for leaders and gives guidance concerning how and for what purposes the church is to meet corporately.
Labor
This social system provides the means by which the creative stewards of God are to develop and prosper the raw materials of the physical universe. The steward has been given ownership rights and responsibilities over God’s goods in order to creatively flourish them. The owner can hire others to help him in his task, but Scripture provides the guidelines as to how the owner is to relate to the worker and vice versa. This is the economic engine of society. Since it is the only sphere that creates “jobs,” one of its primary responsibilities is to the poor who need work.
The Community
This is God's primary means for helping the needy. The Scripture lays upon us the personal responsibility of getting involved to help those who are in need, and commands us to love our neighbor as our self. As with the other social systems, this, too, reflects the very nature and character of God, who cares for the weak and the needy. He, therefore, calls us to reflect His compassion through our engagement with our neighbor and to come to the aid of those in need.
The State
This social system has been graciously given to man for the primary purpose of punishing evil and condoning good. It not only includes the position of the civil magistrate and the citizenry, but also the fact that the civil authority is accountable to God. Consequently, in Romans 13, this authority is called both a "servant" and an "agent" of God. The civil authority can delegate his authority to others in fulfilling his task. Scripture describes the roles and responsibilities of the civil authority and the citizenry and gives numerous examples and direct teaching on how they are to relate to each other.
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About
Cross Examine
Cross
Examine is a bold and timeless web program that helps believers understand biblical truth, look at
life with the mind of Christ, and live it out daily. The 21 episodes of this program, plus
extensive bonus material, provide practical information on a wide variety of biblical worldview
topics like family, government, education, and marriage. Most importantly, Cross Examine equips
viewers to apply this worldview to each area of their lives for maximum Kingdom impact.
Del
sums up the heart of Cross Examine when he says, "It has been my belief and sense that the
Lord is calling me to have a part, maybe a small part, in getting the body of Christ healthy
and strong. And one of the areas that I think is critical is the embracing of a comprehensive
systematic biblical worldview. The body of Christ needs to see all of life from the standpoint
of God's truth and His desire to see all of life brought underneath the lordship of Christ."
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Desire to Help
Most ministry work requires risk and sacrifice. Why is this true, and how is it a reflection of the character and work of God himself? Cross Examine features some faithful followers of Christ who made personal sacrifices that lead to lasting change.
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