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Gateway to Politics and Christian Civilization I:  Politics and Jewish Law ............................................................................ $49.00

Prerequisite: None, but the short course in politics is highly recommended as the appropriate introduction to this course and all the that follows in Christiann Civilization II and III.

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Course Description: (Five Week Online Class with Professor)

SINCE POLITICS IS THE STUDY of the common good or of the good life for men and women living in community, it rests upon previous study of ethhics and psychology. This course provides an in depth understanding of the functions and purposes of government followed by a demonstrated presentation of the best structure of  government (democracy, aristocracy, monarchy etc), as well as detailed insight into the best form of government and a careful analysis of the distinction between best structure and form, which is a topic rarely touched upon by political philosophers.

 

It is followed by a study of politics in the Garden of Eden and the subsequent history of Ancient Israel including its socio-economic-political system based on scriptural principles albeit from the Old Law, which provides the only record of a revealed social system in world history. Students will study the judicial, ceremonial and moral precepts institutionalized in Ancient Judaism including a comparative study of the Jewish idea of the best regime vis a vis the Greek Aristotelian idea to demonstrate the relationship between faith and reason as well as between political structure (polity) and form (law). Major themes include:

•The Ten Commandments (moral, judicial and ceremonial precepts)
•The Best Regime from the perspective of the Old Testament
•Jewish legal structure, economic and political institutions at time of Judges
•Institution of Kingship

 

The overall goal is to introduce students to the rudiments of Christian politics and social ethics beginning with its foundation in Ancient Israel.

Contact:  Students may contact the instructor at dmarzak@kolbefoundation.org to schedule an appointment for advising, questions, or course issues in his online office.

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TOPIC 4:
POLITICS: THE BEST STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT

Topic 4: Lecture I.  Introduction to Politics

Topic 4: Lecture II. Liberty and Rights

Topic 4: Lecture III.  What is the Best Form of Government?

Topic 4: Lecture IV.  Discussion of Politics with Anne Lassiter

 

Readings for Topic 4

Aristotle:
The Politics

Plato:
Statesman

GATEWAY TO POLITICS AND CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION TOPIC 5:

Politics in the Garden of Eden: Creation, Angelic Rebellion and Human Disobediene

Classes I and II Mary and Eve

Class III:   Jewish History After Fall from Noah to Abraham

Class IV.  Ten Commandents, The Old Law Charity and Justice the Perfect Good and the Imperfect Good and the Ceremonial Precepts:

Class V. Ceremonial Precepts:  Sacraments Sacred Things Sacrafices and Observances Levitical Priesthood and Jewish Liturgy

Class VI. Judicial Precepts: What are Moral and Judicial Precepts: Jewish Idea of the Best Government

Class VII.  Judicial Precepts Regulating Relationships amoung Men, Private Property Property Distribution, and Theft

Class VIII: Judicial Precepts Punishment, Degrees of Culpability, Ignorance of Law, Malice, Foreigners, Family Relationships Husband and Wife

Class IX: Family Continued: Slaves and Treatment of Children

 

Readings for Topic 5

Josephus:
Wars of the Jewish People
(Books 5-7 )

Antiquities of the Jewish People
(Excerpts)

Holy Bible:
Leviticus and Deuteronomy

 


"Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whosoever he shall do shall prosper "(Psalm 1)

King David