Math Evangelism: Why Does Math Work and Why Does it Matter? Video

Below is a great video using math as a tool in evangelism. It was put together by Katherine Loop, who has a ministry helping people to think Biblically about math. Here blog is located here: http://www.christianperspective.net/ The video interviews people about math and leads to a discussion of the ten commandments and need for a Savior. Please share this with others and try this yourself!

 

Science, Faith, and the Scholar's use of the Scriptues

Herman Dooyeweerd

 

I was studying the influence of the Dooyeweerdian philosphy in Christian thought and ran across a great article on how the Bible applies to science in the second appendix of a small book titled, "The Dooyeweerdian Concept of the Word of God."  For background, Herman Dooyeweerd lived from 1894 to 1977 and was a Dutch philosopher and founded of the cosmonomic (bad) idea. He followed Abraham Kuyper with the result of reducing the application of God's word to "devotional exercises of personal piety." In other words his complicated view of God's Word resulted in Christians not seeing that God's Word is instructive and authoritative with regards to economics, politics, education, psychology, science, math and more.  To some extent this is why it is uncommon for Christians to send their Children to Christian schools, to use Jethro's advice to Moses when for voting, or use Biblical law to guide lawmaking.

Here are some helpful insights, that Dooyeweerdian's would not like,  on Science from Gerald O'Donnell in an article titled, "Science, Faith, and the Scholar's Use of the Scriptures" from the mentioned appendix.  I don't see it available on the web to link, so here are a few key points.

• Scientific knowledge is inseparably bound up with the underlying religious presuppositions of the scientists.
• It is only through the constant reformulation and reformation of his thinking, in the light of the Scriptures, that the regenerate man comes more and more to hold the beliefs which are a consistent expression of his basic heart commitment to Jesus Christ. And thus the regenerate scientist, living out of a regenerate heart and directed by Biblically grounded presuppositions, is more adequately qualified to carry out his scientific task and to reflect more truthfully in his scientific knowledge that part of reality which is his concern.
• For by faith he ought to recognize that the universe was created by the Word of God. By Faith he ought to confess that the earth is the Lord's and that all things cohere in Christ. And by faith he ought to recognize his own creatureliness and his obligation to bring all of his thinking activity into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Such faith presuppositions will affect the Christian scientist's observation, interpretation, and evaluation of the writings of men on various aspects of creation.
• ..the natural man's knowledge is characterized by a denial and distortion of the true character of the cosmos.
• The primary requirement for a successful implementation of the scientific task is that the individuals engaged in the scientific task be reconciled to God through Christ.

Ref. Hebrews 11:3, Psalm 24:1, Colossians 1:17 

In other words, only a Christian can think and work like a Christian, and the results will be different from the results of a non-Christian involved in science, or at least the results should be different.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What do you think about this?

Answered Prayer to Legislation and Efforts of Many

The above picture is from a video clip of two legislators on a radio show discussing raw milk where Bartlett Farm is mentioned as one source of raw milk in North Dakota. To see this video, go to THIS LINK and look for "The Legislature Today 04-22-13 Seg 2."

 

The North Dakota House of Representatives and Senate have now passed SB2072 which doubly protects shared animal ownership (i.e., cow-share dairies). The amended bill defines shared animal ownership agreements and then specifically limits the ability of the ND Ag Commissioner from regulating it.  The three page relevant amendment is HERE.

The key sentences are these:  

"It is not a violation of this chapter to transfer or obtain raw milk under a shared animal

ownership agreement."

 

"..the commissioner may not adopt any rule that restricts, limits, or imposes additional requirements on any individual transferring or obtaining raw milk in accordance with the terms of a shared animal ownership agreement."

 

Here is what we wrote to the Representatives and Senators just prior to the recent vote:

 

Please vote DO PASS on the SB 2072 Amendment and bill.
1. The latest SB 2072 Amendment version 13.8013.04000 April 23 is acceptable to us, because it prevents the Ag commissioner from interfering with the private property and individual liberty of shared animal ownership agreements.

2. While acceptable, we view the amendment as technically unnecessary because shared animal agreements are already legal. On April 22, 2013 Attorney Pete Kennedy, President of Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/ informed us that the present legality of shared ownership agreements can be defended from NDCC 35-17, the Agister's Lien law (http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t35c17.pdf?20130422151410 ). By implication from 35-17, a person can board their animal on another's property. It would then be unreasonable to bar someone from obtaining their own milk or for a dairy regulator to define shared ownership as selling milk, and thereby increase regulation.

Therefore we encourage you to vote DO PASS on the SB 2072 Amendment and bill.

Sincerely,

Jim, Peter and Jonathan for Bartlett Farm

 

What do you think of fining dairies for non-compliance?

What does Jim Bartlett of Bartlett Farm (www.BartlettFarm.us) think of the ND House of Representatives passing SB 2072 (62 to 29) on April 3, 2013 which fines a dairy-animal share dairy $500 for each non-compliance?  Each cow share dairy, including two neighbors sharing one cow are the required to do the following:

(1)    Register with the state. This seems benign until one ponders the history of state registration. In recent agricultural history, states have used their registration role to sign up small farms for the National Animal Identification Program (NAIS) without the farm owner’s approval. This, when fully implemented will require that all livestock animal movements be tracked, logged and reported to the government at an estimated cost of an additional $15 per animal, effectively handing over control of each farm and animal to the federal government. Refer to www.noNAIS.org for details. Gun registration in Great Britain led to confiscation of guns. Jewish registration led to the holocaust.

(2)    May not resell raw milk or raw milk products. This doesn’t affect cow sharing directly, but indirectly.  It undermines free market and private property rights, both of which derive from Biblical ethics.  Both free market or  laissez-faire ( "let do") capitalism and private property rights are rooted in the Eighth Commandment, “Thou Shall Not Steal” which has been the fountain of American prosperity based on stewardship since the 1600s.  On the other hand, the economic philosophy of secular humanism is interventionism and the economic philosophy of Marxism is socialism. Refer to www.summit.org/resources/worldview-chart/ for details.

(3)    Milk is to be transferred at the farm or delivered in accordance with the agreement. Besides interfering with the free market and individual liberty, this is a good example of the positive law philosophy of secular humanism. Instead of specifying what can’t be done in alignment with Biblical truth (“Thou Shall not steal raw milk”), what can be done is specified reflective of a view that the state sovereign and not God.

(4)    The individual receiving the milk has a shared animal ownership agreement and receiving on own behalf or for another with an agreement. Again, secular humanist interference with the free market and individual liberty. Keep in mind, to actually enforce each point will require a raw milk police force or a tattling system reminiscent of the Stasi.

(5)    The shared animal agreement contains warning. Besides the above, this reflects a bias toward pasteurized milk, and the support of that industry, which by comparison should be labeled as a health hazard before raw milk from pastured cows.

(6)    Annually, the owner of the diary farm provides standards and test results. In the free market, people ask and the dairy provides answers anytime and customers hold the dairy to their expectations by voting with their dollars.  Codifying common sense dumbs down the consumer and minimizes the dairy expectations.  People put their faith in the government regulator to maintain quality, which he really doesn’t and can’t do or take liability for.

(7)    A person may not publish a statement that implies the state endorses shared-animal agreements. If this gets signed into law, the legislature has endorsed shared animal agreements with a statement that it does not endorse shared-animal agreements. Apparently, logic is not required in making laws.

The Solution

To reverse this type of legislation takes a long term perspective. As explained above, this bill reflects and implements the formal religion of secular humanism. Secular humanism is the only religion given full voice in the North Dakota public schools (Clergy in the Classroom by David Noebel), which most legislators attended.  Therefore, the solution for the next generation is to return to Biblical education as reflected in the most popular book of 1776, the New England Primer. The Biblical influence of the New England Primer is through its use of the Shorter Catechism (www.reformed.org/documents/fisher).

ND Legislature Threatens to Ban Cow-Share Dairies

We spent the end of our spring break at the North Dakota Legislature testifying in favor of keeping access to raw milk legal.

One day before the hearing, Bartlett Farm received a letter from Dairy Director Wayne Carlson, saying he intended to offer an amendment the next day (3/14/13) to Senate Bill 2072 that will make cow-share dairies illegal in ND. The amendment read, "It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, organize, or otherwise participate in a cow-share program where the milk producing hoofed mammal is located in North Dakota." (view a copy of the letter)

The ND House Agricultural Committee received more emails on this issue than any other they have dealt with this year, thanks to social media and passionate raw milk drinkers in North Dakota. 

Here is the video of the ND Dairy Director in favor of banning cow-sharing:

Here is what Peter and I shared with the committee in response to the above.
Peter Bartlett Testimony (.pdf)
James Bartlett Testimony (.pdf)

There were about 9 other testimonies in support of keeping cow-shares and raw milk access legal in North Dakota. There is also some action toward making it legal to buy direct from the farm.

What do you think?  Should the government protect people from themselves?  What is the appropriate biblical response to this amendment? How would you vote or edit the amendment if you were on the ND House Agricultural Committee?

"Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." II Kings 6:16

The New Agrarian Mind - Student Essays



As Christians learning to understand the times and what to do something about them, this book is important to know about. The book essentially reviews several key authors and their writings as it relates to the decline of Christianity in the United States, in part caused by agrarian philosophers like Liberty Hyde Bailey who started agricultural extension services to help remove Christian thinking from the rural populations.

The book discusses the influence of technology and cities on family, church, economics and community life. The ideas in this book were part of what led the Bartlett family to move to rural North Dakota and start a small diversified farm.  Not knowing about these subtle influences still working in the United States leaves a family open to their negative impacts. Knowing these things can help revive Christian culture.

This blog post was created as a place for students in the aquaponics class, who are required to read this book, to post their weekly essays. Aim for 250 words per essay, cover half of a chapter in each essay, start with the one currently assigned. Focus on things that you find interesting and how they might apply to reviving Christian culture in your geographic location and circles of influence.

Aquaponic Gardening Book - Student Essays

This book by Sylvia Bernstein, that we use for the aquaponics class, is very helpful on the practical aspects of aquaponics. This blog post was created to provide a place for students in the aquaponics class to post their chapter review essays. One review is required for each chapter. Posts can begin with the current chapter assigned. Aim for 250 words and capture ideas that you found interesting and note any ideas that may be helpful to one of the systems that we are now operating.

Ancient Hebrew Education

How does education affect the passing on of the Christian faith? Studies from Josh McDowell Ministries, the Southern Baptist Convention and other places show that 70 - 80% of young people leave the faith who attend public high schools.  The Jewish people have had the same concerns and did a very thorough study showing the drastic effect of faithful education as compared to public schools and compromised schools.  Christian leaders have seen the parallels for Christians.  See if you can understand the chart located at this link and let me kn ow what you think about it and how you are avoiding the traps:  Jewish Educational Choice Effects on Next Generations

Since the most conservative Jews were the only ones who did a good job passing on the faith to the third and fourth generations, I did a literature review a few years ago and wrote the following.  It is a bit long for a blog post, therefore it is linked here: Ancient Hebrew Education

Did you get any good ideas for your own high school education, college education, career planning or future family education plans?

Thinking About Medicine

I have posted several videos below to convey a few points about the current and future of medicine. 

The key point is that Christians are needed to implement Biblical thinking in medicine.  Christians are needed because the current medical-legal-political climate of medicine is killing people, thereby violating the Sixth Commandment.

Christians interested in a career of changing how medicine is done, such that it serves God and people instead of money, corporations and statism, need to know, not only about biology and technology, but about the philosophies, theologies and politics in play.

Here are a few videos and documents with introductory commentary that I have found helpful:

1.  Technology is changing how medicine is done and giving consumers more data and more opportunities to participate in medical decision making.  This medical doctor states that 1/3 of pharmaceuticals are a waste of money and side effects. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/50582822#50582822

2. It is important to know that Christians have articulated a Christian view of medicine and this document is a good place to start toward developing even more specific statements about medical issues.  The Coalition on Revival involved many Christian Leaders such as Francis Schaeffer, Pastor James Kennedy, Duane Gish and many more: http://65.175.91.69/Reformation_net/COR_Docs/Christian_Worldview_Medicine.pdf

3.  Dr. Ed Payne was the editors of the Christian View of Medicine and his Medical Ethics links are here: http://www.bmei.org/.  Here is an article by Dr Payne that I included in a Biblical Concourse newsletter a few years ago:  http://biblicalconcourse.com/BCNewsletter10.pdf.  There is an audio interview also where Dr. Payne recommends the four year medical programs of Europe and saw US medicine as containing alot of wasted time.

4.  This new movie titled "Doctored" is worth reviewing because it discusses how Chiropractors and Naturopathic Doctors are getting better results than medical doctors in many areas.  Here is the trailer: http://www.doctoredthemovie.com/

5.  This is an influential video/slide show on vaccines. After watching you will know the difference between vaccines and immunization, what the assassination of President Kennedy has to do with the cancer industry, how polio is still prevalent today and much more. This information could save and or improve many lives.

http://gnowfglins.com/2013/02/08/4-things-you-didnt-know-about-vaccines/# 

Here is a link to notes from this slide show for quick reference: , http://gnowfglins.com/2013/02/08/4-things-you-didnt-know-about-vaccines/#infform_id0_h472.4_w280

There are many more references to show that there is a great need for Christians to understand the times in medicine and do something Biblical about it.

1 Chronicles 12:32 

"And of the children of Issachar, who were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;"

How do you know if you have good character?





I was reviewing the book titled, Upgrade: 10 Secrets to the Best Education for your child recently because it has a good and Biblical emphasis on the role of character in learning.  Long story short, a person's character is what enables success in education or limits one's learning potential.  Get Biblical character and you will love learning because you love God who is the author of all worthy knowledge, wisdom, understanding and creation.  So what is Biblical character and how can I know the state of my character and its impact on my ability to learn?

"Character traits are seen in the various experiences and relationships in life..If education were a house, character would be the foundation..."  Latin, logic, math, science, geography, aquaponics are like wall paper, not very useful without the foundation of godly Character.

Proverbs covers nine character themes toward teaching godly character, they are about: tongue and truth, hard work, self-control/avoiding temptation, conflict resolution/getting along, fearing God, receiving reproof/respecting authority, trusting God, humility, and the virtuous spouse.

One of keys to growing in godly character is honoring and obeying parents, which extends to all those in authority.  The idea is to simply be willing to hear and learn and change as the Holy Spirit helps in alignment with God's Word... Here is what the Westminster Confession says about the Fifth Commandment [click the brackets for scripture references]:

Keep this in mind as you read...character enables learning and character growth is enabled by keeping the Fifth commandment, therefore keeping the Fifth commandment leads to prosperity in soul and body, which would include good grades in school.

Q. 123. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.[648]

Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents,[649] but all superiors in age[650] and gifts;[651] and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family,[652] church,[653] or commonwealth.[654]

Q. 125. Why are superiors styled father and mother?

A. Superiors are styled father and mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations;[655] and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.[656]

Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?

A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals.[657]

Q. 127. What is the honour that inferiors owe to their superiors?

A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart,[658] word, [659] and behaviour;[660] prayer and thanksgiving for them;[661] imitation of their virtues and graces;[662] willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels;[663] due submission to their corrections;[664] fidelity to,[665] defence,[666] and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places;[667] bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love,[668] that so they may be an honour to them and to their government.[669]

Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?

A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them;[670] envying at,[671] contempt of,[672] and rebellion[673] against, their persons[674] and places,[675] in their lawful counsels,[676] commands, and corrections;[677] cursing, mocking[678] and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government.[679]

Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?

A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love,[680] pray for,[681] and bless their inferiors;[682] to instruct,[683] counsel, and admonish them;[684] countenancing,[685] commending,[686] and rewarding such as do well;[687] and discountenancing,[688] reproving, and chastising such as do ill;[689] protecting,[690] and providing for them all things necessary for soul[691] and body:[692] and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God,[693] honour to themselves,[694] and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.[695]

Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors?

A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them,[696] and inordinate seeking of themselves,[697] their own glory,[698] ease, profit, or pleasure;[699] commanding things unlawful,[700] or not in the power of inferiors to perform;[701] counseling,[702] encouraging,[703] or favouring them in that which is evil;[704] dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good;[705] correcting them unduly;[706] careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger;[707] provoking them to wrath;[708] or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour.[709]

Q. 131. What are the duties of equals?

A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other,[710] in giving honour to go one before another;[711] and to rejoice in each others’ gifts and advancement, as their own.[712]

Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?

A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required,[713] the undervaluing of the worth,[714] envying the gifts,[715] grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another;[716] and usurping pre-eminence one over another.[717]

Q. 133. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,[718] is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment.[719]

CHARACTER TEST QUESTIONS

So, with the above in mind and remembering that character enables learning and character growth is enabled by keeping the Fifth commandment, therefore keeping the Fifth commandment leads to prosperity in soul and body, which would include good grades in school, here is a Character test question:

Proverbs 10:4 states "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Webster's Dictionary (1828) defined diligence as:


DILIGENCE, n. [L., to love earnestly; to choose.]

1. Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity. Diligence is the philosophers stone that turns every thing to gold.

Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1.

2. Care; heed; heedfulness.

Keep thy heart with all diligence. Proverbs 4.

 

_____________________________________________
On a scale of 1 to 10 how is your character quality of diligence doing?

_____________________________________________
Please take a look at the book of Proverbs and write another Character test question, like I did above, for your classmates to respond to. This might be interesting!

Preparing for Persecution



There is a sense among many Christian leaders that an increase in persecution of Christians can be expected in America in the near future, because it is already happening.  There certainly has been an increase in ungodly culture along with an increase in size and scope of civil government. And besides, American probably deserves some judgement if you consider Sodom. 

So how should Christians respond or not-respond or prepare? Withdraw from all aspects of culture to protect our families and churches? Advance Biblical truth in the public square through involvement in areas where we are called, in spite of opposition?

Are we approaching the great tribulation and seeing the great falling away prior to Christ's second coming? Or is this just another judgement or curse from God on sin?

For most of my Christian life, I would respond to these questions with something like, "I have read the commentaries, but I still don't have a personal understanding of Biblical eschatology (future things) or the book or revelation, so I will have to wait and see, and faithfully serve God in the mean time."

It has taken about 30 years, but I can now say that I do understand some of what the Bible says about the future, and it is very, very encouraging for Christians in the midst of persecution today. To summarize, apostate churches and tyrannical governments were the enemy of the church before Jerusalem fell in AD 70. We have the same opposition today and therefore the book of Revelation is the best document to understand in order to prepare for any increase in persecution today. In the end, the anti christian people and institutions basically self-destruct, just like we see happening in the public schools, and the people of God are victorious in the present time as well as the future.

Our family has been studying the book of Revelation by listening to the sermon series by Pastor Joe Morecraft.  Listen to one or more of these audios and let me know what you think!

Pastor Morecraft Revelation Audio Series

There is a study guide for this series HERE.

"Remember: It is the Gospel of Revelation that must be proclaimed, lived out, and received, if Western Civilization is to be Christianized.
          1. The Lordship of Christ over the nations.
          2. The judgement of Christ upon the nations.
          3. The victory of Christ and His Church over the nations."

God is a God of Order and Order Helps Us Alot!



God created everything with order. Think about the order of planetary motion, sunrises, colors in a rainbow, plant cells, musical notes, mathematical precision in creation and more (Genesis 1).  God's word also teaches us order in family, church, and civil government (Hebrews 11:3, Ephesians 4:10, Romans 13).

We are created in the image of God, who evidently likes order, and most of us like order too. Order helps us accomplish more in less time and think clearly, which is also why we study logic.

Some people are more naturally inclined to keep order in their desks, rooms, houses and businesses, but we all have the tendency to neglect order, which can be a problem in most businesses.

The Japanese 5S system was developed to be a very simple procedure to help factories and offices operate efficiently by eliminating clutter, distractions and wasted time. This is one of many aspects of what is called lean manufacturing, which is a way of keeping order in business.

Bartlett Farm is formally implementing the 5S system towards improving the efficiency and quality of its operations.  These ideas are helpful to anyone who wants to get more done in less time. As the aquaponics business develops in Wickenburg, keeping the 5S ideas in mind will save time and make the working environment more pleasant.

You will also be a more valuable employee if you implement one or more of these ideas in your current job or business or home activities.  Just image being able to find anything withing 30 seconds and not having any clutter.

1. Here is the simple procedure for carrying our a 5 S conversion at your home or business:
http://bartlettfarm.us/south/5S%20Users%20Guide.pdf

2. Here is a small print shop video case study:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3hh6141awE

3. Here are two Boeing training videos on 5S:

Boeing5S 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdbxPneGIs

Boeing 5S 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhSZe_qqDgI&feature=relmfu

Animal Regulation in the Bible

I thought it might be helpful and interesting to follow-up the dicussion on permits for commerical fish stocking with the following list of Animal Regulation Scriptures.

QUESTIONS
Which scriptures give the state permission to regulate fish permits?

If Jesus is King of Kings, which laws should the civil government be using?

Is the law making place of the legislature Biblical?

Would it be possible to use Biblical laws in modern society with judges who determined who violated a law, like in Moses day?
I am thinking that our theological presuppositions are either:

(a)The state can do anything that the Bible doesn't say it can't do, or
(b) the state can only do what the Bible gives the state permission to do.

Which do you believe and why?

Statement (b) is exactly a restatement of the regulative principle of worship based on the Second Commandment...which shows that we are limited to worship God to the ways that He prescribes.

It is fascinating how our theology plays out so thoroughly into our political viewpoints and thereby has created the culture we have today!

A Handbook of Bible Law - Animal regulations Copyright 1991 by Charles A. Weisman. 2nd Edition: Aug., 1992; 3rd Edition: Dec., 1994

Animal regulations

Comments: The majority of laws in the Bible dealing with animals (other than those surrounding sacrifices which are no longer relevant or applicable to us) involve property rights, owner responsibility and restitution. In the Bible animals are made reference to by the terms "creature," "living thing," "cattle," "beast," and "creeping thing."

The Bible says that God put animals on earth for man to make use of "into your hand are they delivered" (Gen. 9:2). In biblical times animals were used for food, to do work with, as a source of clothing, as money for trading or buying, and even as pets, all of which have changed little since biblical times. So important were animals that the number owned was a measure of one's wealth and social status. 'And Abram was very rich in cattle.. . . "" (Gen. 13:2).
"The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb (2 Sam. 12:2-3).

Just as today the owner of an animal was responsible for what his animal did to other persons or their property. In fact, if an animal had previous incidents of aggressiveness towards persons, and its owner has been warned about it but fails to take precautions to confine the animal, he is to be regarded as a murdered and put to death if that animal kills someone (Exod. 21:29).

7A - Animals Used For Labor

1. You are not to work animals on the Sabbath. Exod. 20:10; Exod. 23:12; Deut 5:14.
2. You are not to have two different kinds of animals work together; You shall not plow with an ox and an ass together. Deut 22:10.
3. You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that is being used for work. Deut 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:9; 1 Tim. 5:18.

7B - Damage and Injury Done by Animals

1. If an animal kills a person the animal is to be put to death. Exod. 21:28-29.
2. If an animal is proven to be aggressive, and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it, and it kills a man or woman, then both the animal and the owner are to be put to death. If there is a ransom of money demanded of the owner, it can be paid for the redemption of his life. Exod. 21:29-31.
3. If an animal shall gore a servant, the owner shall give the servant's master a set amount of money and the animal is to be killed. Exod. 21:32.
4. If a man's animal eats the crop of another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field. Exod. 22:5.
5. If one man's animal kills another's animal, then the live animal shall be sold and the money (and the dead animal if it be cattle) shall be divided between them. Exod. 21:35.
6. If an animal which is known to be aggressive kills another animal yet its owner had not confined him, then he shall pay for the animal killed but can keep the dead animal. Exod. 21:36.

7C - Animals Owned by Others

1. Stolen animals are to be repaid to the owner 4 or 5 times. Exod. 22:1.
2. Stray animals belonging to your brethren are be brought back to the owner. If the owner is unknown, then you are to keep the animal until the owner comes looking for it and then return it to him. Deut. 22:1-3.
3. If you encounter an animal of your enemy going astray, you shall bring it back to him. Exod. 23:4.
4. If a pit is opened or dug and left uncovered, and an animal falls into it, the owner of the pit shall pay the owner of the animal but he can keep the dead animal. Exod. 21:33-34.
5. If you see an animal of one that hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall release the animal. Exod. 23:5.
6. You shall not see your brother's ass or ox fall down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again. Deut. 22:4.
7. Whoever kills another's animal shall make it good, animal for animal. Lev. 24:18, 21.

7D - Animals Borrowed or in Another's Care

1. If a man gives his neighbor his animal to keep for him and it dies or runs away, then an oath before the LORD shall be made between them, that he has not laid his hands on his neighbor's animal. He is not required to pay for it. Exod. 22:10-11.
2. If a borrowed animal is stolen, the keeper shall make restitution to the owner of the animal. Exod. 22:12.
3. If a borrowed animal is torn in pieces, the remains shall be brought as evidence, and no restitution shall be made. Exod. 22:13.
4. If a man borrows any animal, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution to the owner. But if the owner is with it, no restitution is to be made. Exod. 22:14-15.

7E - General Care of Animals

1. You are not to breed cattle with a diverse kind (no hybrid cattle, livestock or pets). Lev. 19:19.
2. Should have regard for the life of your animals. Prov. 12:10.
3. Do not separate a newly born ox or sheep or a goat from its mother for the first seven days. Lev. 22:27.
4. The eggs or young can be taken from a bird's nest but not along with the mother. Deut. 22:6-7.
5. Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds. Prov. 27:23.

Fish Stocking Permits: Biblical or Not?

In North Dakota, the civil government requires a transport and stocking permit for a person to raise fish, even in a 150 gallon aquaponics system.

Is this a proper role for civil government according to the Bible?  Which Scriptures support your claim.

Below is a summary of the role of civil government that may be helpful in your analysis. This is the Civil Magistrate Chapter of the original Westminster Confession of Faith written in about 1646. This is what the founding father of America believed about the role of civil government.

What should Christians do if Arizona requires a transport and stocking permit for the aquaponics system at Legacy High School. Permitting typically involve state inspection, costs, time, paperwork, and the ability of the state to make your aquaponics system illegal for any reason they desire.

In this situation is the state asking Christians to disobey God? Are they asking something that is  against God's Word or not?   Is asking something against God's Word asking Christians to disobey God?

How would it be obeying or disobeying God to take the permit? What is your Scripture reference? What would your teachers, parents and or pastors say about this issue?

 

Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate

 

I. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates, to be, under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, has armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.

 

II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto: in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion.

 

III. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven: yet he has authority, and it is his duty, to take order that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administrated, and observed. For the better effecting whereof, he has power to call synods, to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God

 

IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute or other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, does not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted, much less has the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.

 

Scripture References Supporting the Above Summary

 

ROM 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

PRO 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. ROM 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

PSA 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. 1TI 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. PSA 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 2SA 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.

LUK 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. ROM 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. MAT 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ACT 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. REV 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

2CH 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. MAT 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. MAT 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 1CO 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? EPH 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 1CO 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ROM 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! HEB 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

ISA 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. PSA 122:9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. EZR 7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. 27 Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: 28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. LEV 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death. DEU 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers. 12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, etc. 2KI 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (1CH 13:1-8; 2KI 24:1-25) 2CH 34:33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2CH 15:12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

2CH 19:8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good. (2CH 29-30) MAT 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet.

1TI 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1PE 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

ROM 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

ROM 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.

1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

ROM 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 1KI 2:35 And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar. ACT 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 2PE 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. JUD 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. JUD 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

2TH 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. REV 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Aquaponic Food Production for Long Term Survival

This article does a nice job sumarizing several basic points worth knowing about aquaponics.  It is also helpful to us as we start-up a small scale system, since it is designed for survival situations. We are focused on commerical aquaponics and so need to do many things different, but see if you can gleen a few helpful ideas like I did..

Here is the link, please read the whole article, I am thinking that a future quiz will cover some of its points: http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/07/aquaponic_food_production_for.html

Here is a quote:

"A working "biofilter" is the key ingredient to a good aquaponics system, as the bacteria in the biofilter keeps the fish water clean, and changes ammonia into nitrogen for the plants. The bacteria need to reside in a wet environment that has plenty of oxygen, and little or no light. A gravel bed that is alternately flooded and drained, is perfect for this type of bacteria to thrive in. Other aquaponic solutions, such as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Water Raft Technique, use a large amount of netting submerged in the water to give a place for the bacteria to reside. We chose a grow-bed filled with 1 foot of gravel as our biofilter, as it is simpler to build.

The bacteria in the gravel biofilter changes the ammonia into nitrogen in two steps. The first step is performed by the Nitrosomonas bacteria, which changes the total fish ammonia (NH3 and NH4+) into nitrite (NO2). The next process is accomplished by the Nitrobacter bacteria that changes the nitrite (NO2) into nitrate (NO3), which the plants use as fertilizer. The ammonia and nitrites are very toxic to fish, while the nitrates are fairly harmless, so it is important to monitor the bacteria by testing the water quality using the inexpensive aquarium test strips sold at any pet store. As long as you have a large amount of gravel or other media for the bacteria to colonize, your water quality won't be an issue. If you are using sterile media, you won't have any bacteria to start with, and you will need to purchase the bacteria from an aquarium shop or from Fritz-Zyme. We used gravel from a creek, as the Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria is always abundant in river gravel. Since these two types of bacteria work in tandem and do not reproduce quickly, it may take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to ramp up the bacteria to full production. So, it may important not to add a large number of fish at the same time unless you already have a good supply of bacteria at work in your system.   Our first step in construction of our Aquaponic system was to lay an 8' x 8' "carpet" of around 40 concrete blocks for the foundation of the fish tank. It took a long time to get the blocks level using a spirit level and a long 2x4, but this is probably the most crucial part of the construction. The next step was to build the fish tank out of wood, that would ultimately be fitted with a rubber liner. I created a square box out of 2x12 lumber standing on their edges, that was a little less than 8' x 8' and held together by wood screws. I designed it so that the 2x12's had an extra 3.5" overlap or "flap" on each of the corners, so I could drill holes and put carriage bolts through the 4x4 posts and 2x12 sides from two different directions on each of the outside corners. This holds the wood seams together. It is very important to "overbuild" the tank seams on a wooden fish tank with carriage bolts, wood screws, etc. as the water pressure is very great. Once I had my square box built, I made sure it was perfectly "square" by measuring the distances diagonally across from each corner. When these two distances were the same, I knew it was square. Then I covered what was to be the bottom of the tank with 8' long 2x4s, nailed into the 2x12s with a 2" gap between each 2x4. When I turned the 8'x8' box over and placed it on the concrete block foundation, the gaps between the 2x4s allowed me to put shims between the blocks and the 2x4s, so that each concrete block was helping to evenly support the 2x4s that held up the fish tank. "

The Reason Bees are Dying

 

As a beekeeper, I have been watching for scientific evidence of colony collapse disorder over the past several years.  The article linked below is the first one that seems to report science that has gotten to the bottom of the problem.  This is considered the single greatest threat to the world food supply, since bees pollinate many crops, which would not produce well or at all without them.  Long story short...

" But three new studies point an accusing finger at a culprit that many have suspected all along, a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids.  In the U.S. alone, these pesticides, produced primarily by the German chemical giant Bayer and known as “neonics” for short, coat a massive 142 million acres of corn, wheat, soy and cotton seeds. They are also a common ingredient in home gardening products."

Due to copyright restrictions, I can't repost this article, so here is the original link to read:

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2012/04/09/mystery-of-the-disappearing-bees-solved/

What should Christians do about this?  What does the Bible say about this?