Download In the World for December 2 here.
SEPARATION OF POWERS
The latest example of the perennial tension between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal government hit the news last week. President Trump publicly criticized what he called “Obama judges” in the federal judicial system. In response, Chief Justice John Roberts openly rebuked the president, asserting the necessity of an independent judiciary. This kind of infighting is nothing new. Not many alive can remember President Franklin Roosevelt’s frustrations with the Supreme Court for its rulings against the New Deal legislation he was promoting. FDR attempted to pack the Court with six additional justices more in line with his thinking.
UNIFICATION OF POWER
Just as the Constitution is discussed and interpreted by our system of courts, the people of Israel were commanded to discuss among themselves the meaning of God’s law in their lives. However, this discussion of the law was not to be done in a way that negated what God had said. God was Lawmaker, Judge, and King. His people were to obey his law regardless of their opinion about it or interpretation of it.
- What values do you see in the separation of governmental powers? In what ways are our Constitution and God’s law alike? How do they differ?
- How are the instructions in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 applicable to the practice of our faith? Which of these commands should be taken literally, and which are meant to be taken figuratively?
- How does teaching God’s commandments to our children tie in with loving God with our whole being?
—Charles R. Boatman
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