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Social Science Department

Wayne Clark

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." Thessalonians 4:11-12

The mission of the Social Studies Department is to provide the student a God-centered view of Geography, History, Government, and Economics for these disciplines center on the ultimate questions - the nature and meaning of life, the nature of the universe, right and wrong, truth, goodness, and beauty.

We propose to do this through:

1. truthful portrayal of peoples, lands, religions, ideals, heroes, triumphs, and setbacks;
2. presenting government as ordained by God for the maintenance of law and order, to reward the good, to punish the evil, and not as a remedy for all of societies ills; and,
3. supporting free enterprise economics while pointing out the dangers of communism, socialism, and liberalism.

Ostensibly, the student will be able to argue the case, that all may see the just, loving principles of God's dealings with men (Isaiah 43:26, 1 Peter 3:15).

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." Thessalonians 4:11, 12

11. study to be quiet--Greek, "make it your ambition to be quiet, and to do your own business." In direct contrast to the world's ambition, which is, "to make a great stir," and "to be busybodies" ... work with your own hands -- The Thessalonian converts were . . . chiefly of the working classes. Their expectation of the immediate coming of Christ led some enthusiasts among them to neglect their daily work and be dependent on the bounty of others . . . The expectation was right in so far as that the Church should be always looking for Him; but they were wrong in making it a ground for neglecting their daily work. The evil, as it subsequently became worse, is more strongly reproved in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12.

12. honestly -- in the Old English sense, "becomingly," as becomes your Christian profession; not bringing discredit on it in the eyes of the outer world, as if Christianity led to sloth and poverty (Romans 13:13, 1 Peter 2:12). them ... without -- outside the Christian Church (Mark 4:11). have lack of nothing -- not have to beg from others for the supply of your wants (compare Ephesians 4:28). So far from needing to beg from others, we ought to work and get the means of supplying the need of others. Freedom from pecuniary embarrassment is to be desired by the Christian on account of the liberty which it bestows.