Please
respond to the following questions. (200-500 words total)
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Hobbes
believed that life was naturally "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and
short", but that by compromising our needs with those of others we could
improve it. This process involves making contracts (binding promises) with one
another. For instance, if your mom asks you to take out the garbage, and you
agree, you have made a contract with her. Think of a spoken or unspoken contract
you made with others today.
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Hobbes
believed that the sovereign (leadership) should be able to set the theology
(beliefs) of a society, think of an example of this idea in real life. What was
the result?
·
In
the New Testament, we are called to become members of the Body of Christ. Are
we also parts of the body of the State? Compare and contrast, Hobbes’s
“Leviathan” and the Christian concept of the Body of Christ.
18 comments:
Hobbes believes that if people make contracts with each other it would help out with both of their needs. Example of this is one that I have made with a friend. My fall basketball league practices twice a week out in Naperville. A friend and I on the team decided that if she drove me out on Tuesday, I would in return drive her out on Thursdays. This was a contract/compromise that we made, so neither of us has to drive out there twice a week.
An example of when a leader/government, decided to set the theology of a society, is in a way shown through the public school systems of today. Many public school systems have made evolution their theology, and are opposed to any other type of world view being taught. When doing this, most people will follow the system, but some will also oppose it, because you cannot force someone to have your beliefs, and most of the time there will be someone who disagrees with you.
Hobbes view on the body of the state in a way is very similar to a Christians view on the body of the church. Hobbes says that each person contributes in a different way under the rule of a sovereign, “(by which fastened to the seat of the sovereignty, every joint and member is moved to perform his duty)” (Hobbes) In the same way different believers contribute to the church under the leadership of Christ.
Hobbes believed that to make contracts and agreements with one another can help each person in the contract. One such contract I made today was with my employer. I have agreed to work for my employer for how ever many hours a week and in return for working and creating business for him, he pays me. I received a check today in return for the hours I have worked over the past couple of weeks. Both he and I benefit. He gets workers to help run his business and I get money in return for agreeing to work.
Earlier this year, Congress voted to allow same-sex marriage in all of the states of the US. However, one county clerk who opposes this ruling because of her beliefs chose not to give out the required marriage licenses to the couples. Due to this, the government not only fired her, but also tried and then jailed her because she would not consent to give out licenses. Now, there is a great division and controversy between those who side with the clerk and the government. This is not a great situation.
Hobbes believed that every man under authority ought to perform his or her job to help make the whole body work together and be successful. "and in which the sovereignty is an artificial soul, as giving life and motion to the whole body; the magistrates and other officers of judicature and execution, artificial joints; reward and punishment (by which fastened to the seat of the sovereignty, every joint and member is moved to perform his duty) are the nerves, that do the same in the body natural; the wealth and riches of all the particular members are the strength; salus populi (the people's safety) its business; counsellors, by whom all things needful for it to know are suggested unto it, are the memory; equity and laws, an artificial reason and will; concord, health; sedition, sickness; and civil war, death." (Hobbes) We, as Christians, are called to the same type of duty. As members of the body of Christ and the church, we are to support, defend, and serve the church. Even in our everyday life in our different jobs, we give glory and witness to Christ and further his kingdom.
1. Hobbes believed that if two or more people made a contract among themselves that it should benefit each of them in some way. It makes the most sense if it is described as a symbiotic relationship, in this case an agreement. A symbiotic relationship is, "a special type of interaction....[which] provide [a] balance that can only be achieved by working together." (Study Academy.com) An example from my personal life would be the relationship between my ACT tutor and I. We have a contract/understanding that I will be at her house every Monday and Friday for an hour each day. We both benefit from this contract because she instructs me on receiving a better score on the ACT and in return I pay for her services. Simply put, I receive education and she receives money; We both profit from this "relationship".
2. One example of when a leader/government wanted to set theology (set of beliefs) for a society was in Daniel 3, in the account of the fiery furnace.
“You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)
The king made every man, woman and child bow before the golden statue and to treat it as their god. Nebuchadnezzar's plan worked for most of the people, but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow before the golden image. As a result they were thrown into the fiery furnace and God saved them from the flames. This turned the king from his ways, and he believed in the one true God while tearing down the material one he had made.
3. Hobbes writings comparing and contrasting the Body of the State and the Body of Christ resulted in very similar results. Each individual contributes in some shape or form to the Body of the State. Their job may be in the actual governmental body or only someone doing their job at a grocery store. Everyone contributes to the state whether they realize it or not. In the same way we are all apart of the church body. We play the part that God needs us to complete in the Body of Christ. This may not mean we are directly involved in the church leadership, it could just be living out Gods will for us in our own homes or community.
Hobbes believed that contracts were good and helpful for people to have with each other. An example of a contract I made recently was that my mum was going to the store to get some ingredients and she asked if I would come along so she wouldn’t pick out the wrong thing for a recipe I was making. I agreed and it was good for her not to have to worry she got bought the wrong thing and good for me to have the correct ingredient.
Hobbes also thought that leadership should or at least could be in charge of what a society believed. This doesn’t usually end well. Usually in the killing of anyone who defies the proposed religion. Look at Hitler. He thought every Jew, disabled, non blonde and blue eyed person should be exterminated.
The similarities and differences between Leviathan and the concept of the Christian body are very interesting. A similarity is how Hobbes writes that, “they [an assembly] are bound, every man to every man” (ch. XVIII). This fits with the idea that people within the Christian body should help each other out. Another similarity is how a covenant can’t be made to another person if it would break a covenant made beforehand. In other words, you can’t serve two masters. Lastly, the sovereign owes nothing to his subjects and therefore can do no wrong. This is true with the body of Christ in that God is perfect and owes us nothing. Other parts of Leviathan did not seem so agreeable. It seems to me that Hobbes thought everything was relative, different for different people depending on how one saw it. He said that you can’t judge others as wrong because “the actions of men proceed from their opinions, and in the well governing of opinions consisteth the well governing of men’s actions in order to their peace and concord.” If I understand correctly, it means that if you are part of an institution you have the right to write the rules and if someone says you’re doing something wrong it doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t go against what you believe.
-Today I made a contract with our pastor to lead worship for our youth group. He asked me if I could help out and cover for our worship leader and I agreed.
-In my church (College church) the pastors and other leaders of the church gather together often to reaffirm what we believe, as a body of Christ, united under God's word. These men come together to teach, encourage, affirm, hold accountable, and set the tone for the church for what we believe. This results in everyone being on the same page whenever there are slight or larger changes in our statement of faith as different current events change what our world condemns and accepts.
-We are parts of both the body of Christ and the body of the state. We are to be primarily subject to God's will/law over the will/law of the state. Hobbes believed that law should be followed based on people's opinions of what is right and wrong. I believe Hobbes is saying that if people think something is wrong in the sight of the state that they should follow it if they see it as more important to them than God's law. However, we all believe that God's law takes precedence over all things, including the state. I think that is what Hobbes was trying to communicate through "leviathan".
Hobbes believed that in order for a contract to be effectual, both parties had to benefit, as in a symbiotic relationship. An example of a contract from my personal life would be in my relationship to Spotlight Youth Theater. When I audition for a show, I sign papers promising that I won’t miss rehearsal and that I will adhere to the rules and parameters set in place by the organization. They receive my loyalty and dedication, and in return I get the wonderful, challenging experience of performing.
Another ideology embraced by Hobbes was that the “sovereign” in any society had the right to set the beliefs for said society. An example of this would be concerning the gay marriage agenda. The large majority of our culture embraces the idea that same-sex marriage is acceptable and forces these ideas onto anyone who even lifts a finger of opposition. Society in general can be seen as the “sovereign” because an overwhelming mass of people declare their opinions the only “right” way of thinking, and completely depose other viewpoints. This “sovereign” poses an ultimatum: compromise your convictions and agree with us, or you’re wrong and a hateful homophobe. It isn’t difficult to look at long, belligerent, pointless arguments in the comments section on an Instagram post or at the bottom of an article online to see that forcing beliefs onto someone else does not end well, especially if those beliefs are not necessarily honoring to God. As individuals, we all have different values and priorities. When a larger power attempts to alter this plethora of unique personalities and ideologies into a compact, biased list of what is right and wrong, people will naturally want to rebel against those ideas. It’s like the children’s toy where you have to fit the right shapes into the right holes. You can’t fit an oval shape into a square slot. In summation, it is difficult to set beliefs for society because due to individualism, not everyone’s personal philosophies will “fit in” with that superimposed system.
I believe that the ideas represented in Hobbes’ “Leviathan” and the Christian concept of the Body of Christ are similar in nature. Hobbes believed that every individual had a specific duty to the “sovereign” in order for the power to function effectively. Analogously, within the Body of Christ we are each called for a certain purpose, and all of these jobs collectively transform the Church into a smoothly running entity.
When my mom asks me to do my chores, I do them without agreeing or questioning it. Because I live in my parents’ house, I have an unspoken contract with them to help maintain it. It is for that reason I don’t need to question or agree to empty the dishwasher when my mom asks because it is unspoken that I must do it.
China regulates what the Christian churches there can and cannot teach in order for the government to be able to plant their ideas in everyone’s minds. This has forced many of the truer churches to go ‘underground’ in order to still teach what they truly believe. If the government didn’t dictate what they are allowed to teach, many more people could be brought to Christ.
The Body of Christ represents all of the people that follow and serve God. We all have different parts in furthering His kingdom like every body part does something different in helping you live. In the same way, Hobbes’ body of the state says that we function in a similar way in relation to the government: everyone in a given society works together in different ways to further that society, resulting in a common goal being achieved.
Hobbes believed that by making contracts with other people we improve the natural way of life. One spoken contract I made today was with my cousin. We agreed to meet at home at a specific time to make dinner and pack up the car. By following our agreement we were able to get everything done on time. This contract benefited all of us because working together meant we had less work to do individually.
Hobbes also believed that the leadership should be able to set the beliefs of a society. One real life example of this can be seen in the Church of England. In 1534 King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy made him the head of the church instead of the pope. This act changed the national religion of England from Catholic to Protestant. In effect, the people were then expect to follow this change of beliefs and religious leadership given by the state.
The idea of Hobbes’s “Leviathan” and the body of Christ are similar in the fact that the people are members of one united body. They are called to work together to serve one purpose. However, in Hobbes’s political state the people are governed by an elected representative. He says, “A Commonwealth is said to be instituted when a multitude of men do agree… that to whatsoever man,or assembly of men, shall be given by the major part the right to… be their representative; every one, as well he that voted for it as he that voted against it, shall authorize all the actions and judgements of that man, or assembly of men, in the same manner as if they were his own, to the end to live peaceably amongst themselves, and be protected against other men.” This representative unties all the people he represents. However the members of the body of Christ are united because they serve one Lord. He is not an elected representative but a sovereign ruler over all.
Many contracts I have made through the day are things I will do. Such as clean my room, do the dishes, and finish homework. Most of these are spoken, but some are unspoken but is expected. Things such as maintaining hygiene, cleaning up after yourself and eating food is more unspoken.
The most obvious example is Constantine. He made Christianity the main religion of Rome and that made Christianity more loose and not the same as it used to be. I think putting religion in the control of the leaders would be bad. I believe the leaders would twist the religion into what they wanted it to be. Then they would force that upon others. Doing this would eventually twist the religion into a completely new religion. This has happened to Christianity many times, that is why we have some many branches of Christianity.
IN the bible Christ tells us that we are to listen to and respect authority. This means we are both the body of Christ and the body of the state. Although if one was to be dominate it would be the body of Christ.
A relationship that benefits both parties is considered a contract relationship and Hobbes notes that a contract relationship has no effect unless those in the relationship benefit equally. Today I made a contract relationship with my neighbor. She has a booth set up at the French market in Wheaton once a month and asked me if I wanted to display some of my art at her booth. I agreed to this proposal immediately. Both of us are benefitting from the agreement because I am showcasing my artwork while she is presenting something new at her booth (my work) which will also attract more people to the various things she is selling.
An example of the idea of the sovereign being able to set the theology of a society in the real world is Adolf Hitler and the Jews. He was able to convince millions of Germans and people in Europe that the Jews were a filthy race and undeserving of any respect. Hitler changed societies’ view on a group of people and because of that he was able to carry out the ultimate plan; the extermination of the Jews. Letting secular authorities govern the theology of the time is not always wise, and often times, as seen in history, leads to destruction, corruption, and the brainwashing of people who unfortunately have no moral backbone. Leaders throughout history have the power to entice their followers into thinking that the ideas being preached are good, when unfortunately they are quite the opposite. It is easy for the average mind to agree with the best presented or well-rounded argument rather than looking through a long, drawn out, and tedious debate and accurately understanding both sides and choosing the one that is morally sound. Leaders have much power over a population and we as Christians must keep sound morals, understand the different ideologies of the time, and be willing to stand up for what is right even if it is different.
Hobbes ideas about the State closely reflect the Christian idea of the Body of Christ. “For seeing life is but a motion of limbs, the beginning whereof is in some principal part within, why may we not say that all automata (engines that move themselves by springs and wheels as doth a watch) have an artificial life? For what is the heart, but a spring; and the nerves, but so many strings; and the joints, but so many wheels, giving motion to the whole body, such as was intended by the Artificer?” (Hobbes). Here Hobbes is stating that all parts of the body work together to keep the body running and alive. This idea of parts working together also comes up in 1 Corinthians 12 which states the same idea that Hobbes covers in the Leviathan, reminding Christians that we have all been ordained by God with a specific role in the Church. We are to use our gifts for the glory of God and the enrichment of our kingdom.
To improve our lives Hobbes believed that we have to share our needs with others so that we can mutually aid each other. In our house we have an unspoken contract that the person who loads the dishwasher at the end of the day has to wash the extra dishes, wipe the counters and stovetop, and clear off all the junk on the counters. This contract is made so that our kitchen is not messy the next morning and so that no one has to do double the cleaning the next day.
Hobbes also thought that a sovereign is supposed to order the theology or beliefs of a society. An example of a leader who tried to do this was Haman in the book of Esther. He wanted everyone to knell down and “pay honor” to him. One man named Mordecai refused to bow down because it went against God’s laws. Haman was so upset that he decided to kill all of the Mordecai’s people (the Jews). “Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them...” (Esther 3:8-9 NIV). Because of Esther’s courage Haman’s pride and deceit is found out, he is hanged, and the decree to kill all the Jews is overthrown.
As I was reading Hobbes’ ideas of the body of the State reminded me of Romans 12:4-5 ESV, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Likewise, Hobbes says that in the state “…every joint and member is moved to perform his duty) are the nerves, that do the same in the body natural…” We are part of the state some of us in big ways, like being a senator or governor, or by simply voting. However every role is important for the function of the State. Instead of God being the true leader over everything, Hobbes only believed in earthly leaders with absolute power. “And whereas some men have pretended for their disobedience to their sovereign a new covenant, made, not with men but with God, this also is unjust: for there is no covenant with God…But this pretense of covenant with God is so evident a lie, even in the pretenders' own consciences, that it is not only an act of an unjust [against the State]…”
Hobbes believed that in order for mankind to live harmoniously, contracts must be made. In my personal life, our family has made a written “contract” of daily and weekly chores; having a written agreement allows for all to understand the expectation. Then if one of us neglects to follow through with the said agreement, rather than the consequences being ambiguous, all parties understand who was irresponsible and must therefore suffer the consequences. This allows for our family to work together and maintain peace between one another.
Hobbes also thought that the “sovereign” authority had the right to determine the society’s doctrine. A contemporary example of this is the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). As our leader (or “sovereign”), Obama holds the belief that all people should have equal access to “affordable healthcare.” Theoretically this was a smart idea. But over the last several years that Obama has been in office, it has become a societal norm feel entitled to healthcare, no matter what your situation. This raises many controversial questions, all of which are being played out in our political and cultural settings. Healthcare has gone from something that was an extra provision to a prerogative, and Obama’s influential opinion was the key part of this shift in our cultural expectation.
I believe that the principles Hobbes presented in “Leviathan” and the Christian belief in “the Body of Christ” are much alike. As the Body of Christ, each of us is created uniquely for a specific calling, and together each individual collaborates and unifies the Church as a whole. Similarly, Hobbes thought that every human had a responsibility to the “sovereign” that would bring order to the authority.
#1 - An unspoken contract I encountered today was a pile of air dried dishes on the counter. I know that when my mom goes to work she tries to have all the dishes cleaned up the night before. If me, my mom, and/or my sisters have failed to do the dishes or didn’t have the time to finish drying and putting them away, it is my responsibility to clean them up in the morning and have them in their places by the time she gets home from work. This isn’t a rule we have verbally set, but it’s a contract we’ve made in order to keep the kitchen clean and we are expected to follow through with it.
#2 – On June 26, 2015 the United States Supreme Court passed LBGT rights legalizing homosexual marriage nationwide. As a result public school teachers can no longer teach students that with homosexuality and gay marriage is wrong. Due to this many students grow up in the mindset that homosexuality is okay.
#3 - As the body of Christ all Christians are part of the universal church working for the same goal, which is ultimately doing the work of Christ and spreading the gospel. We are also called to help each other when we are sick, hurt, or in spiritual warfare. Each of us does this in our own way, whether that is being a pastor, helping with children ministry, or taking care of the sick. We can’t all do the same job. If we were all pastors who would we preach to? We would not accomplish anything. Hobbes makes a very similar point when he is writing about the body of State. Everyone must work together to accomplish an active and working government. Some people are senators, some are judges, and some are just voters; without each piece there wouldn’t be a working government.
1. Hobbes thought that if we were to make contracts, or a binding promise, with people, our lives would be better. I contract I made with my sister is that I would play with her at least once a week for an hour. This way, she got to enjoy playing and both got to enjoy one another’s company.
2. Hobbes believed that the beliefs of society should be determined by the leadership of that society. An example of this is Hitler. His belief was that Jewish people were bad and should be removed from this earth. As a result, thousands of Jewish people were killed. This obviously wasn’t a good belief. The leadership of a country can’t be the only deciding factor of what a country should believe.
3. We are parts of the body of Christ and also parts of the state. As citizens, we have responsibilities and duties to perform. We help take care of our cities and follow the laws. If everyone did their part, the state’s body would function smoothly. Hobbe’s Leviathan and the body of Christ do have similarities. Hobbes describes different parts of the state as body parts. He says that when the different parts do their job correctly, then the body works well. The body of Christ is similar. When we do the job God designed us for, then the body works well.
Hobbes did not think of the world in a very complemtary way. But he believed that if each person could come to agreeing terms in their lives and wants, the world might start developing better. This thought process included the making of agreements or contracts among one another. An example of this would be, the contract I made with my mom to do the laundry and clean the bathroom. In this contract we both were rewarded and benefited from these chores getting done. I got my chores done and my mom didn’t have to do them and it let her do something else.
One example of Hobbes’ belief of sovereign leadership should have an influence or impact on beliefs of the society might be Jesse Jackson. Jesse Jackson was a man who believed and taught about equality and justice. Jesse Jackson’s belief on equal rights among the black and white communities became an influential belief and view that others believe and carry on still to this day.
In the Bible we are called to be members of the body of Christ, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called…” (Colossians 3:15). Christ tells us in the bible that we are first to be in obedience to Him. But He also tells us that we are to listen to the rulers and authorities of our state. We are to respect and abide by the rules of our authorities though remembering that Christ is overall. We are called to help one another and work with each other in being members of the body of Christ. Similarly to the Bible’s view on the members of the body of Christ, Hobbes’ Leviathan also states, how that each person needs to come into similar agreements and work together in order for the State to function.
In this week’s reading by Hobbes, the author sees man as depraved beings. Hobbes concludes that “the condition of man … is a condition of war of every one against every one, in which case every one is governed by his own reason.” A man lays down this right if he and those around him desire concord and the benefits that come with mutual peace. Contracts are a key part of this process. One small example is when I had the tennis ball my brother was playing with today and told him he could have it after he brushed his teeth. We both benefited from this because he got the toy he wanted and I got him a bit closer to going to bed.
Another one of Hobbes’ beliefs is that the sovereign has the right to set the theology of the commonwealth. Although this seems like it could be a good idea in order to promote unity, history tells us otherwise. Even in today’s world one only has to look to the Middle East to see some of the consequences of a government enforced belief system. A person is not able to display religious artifacts that are not strictly Islamic. When an entire country is supposed to believe one thing, they become hostile towards anything that contradicts it.
Finally, although the body of Christ should take precedence in our lives, I believe we are called to be functioning members of both the body of Christ and the body of state. Each of us has a calling to use our spiritual gifts to make the Church function. Similarly, we all have strengths that, if utilized, are able to build this country into a stronger nation.
My mother used to be very specific in how I should act in a friend’s or a friend’s mother’s presence when I am invited to their house. Since I am older and therefore am more mature (hopefully ), she does not see the need to remind me of proper manners, unless it is an exceptional occasion. What was once a spoken contract, is now an unspoken contract. It was an agreement to act pleasantly toward adults and peers alike, in any situation, especially if I am invited to their home.
An example where a “sovereign leadership” once forced a certain religion can be found in the history of Albania. A place where Islam was the only accepted religion, freedom of worship eventually became legalized. This opened many opportunities for people to hear the gospel. However, many who come into Albania, discover the youths to be restless. The majority has once desire: to travel to America, the “Land of the Free”, running away from their country. How can a society be stable if its youths detest it?
To say, “I am a part of the body of the state!”, then, “I am a member of the Body of Christ!”, you are speaking of two different things. To say, “I am a part of the body of the state”, means you play a critical role in the economy and how the state runs. If you suddenly switch jobs, that will affect the state. If you decide you do not want to have a job and quit, that of course will also affect the state. However, it probably won’t be deadly. Quitting may give an opportunity for a jobless person to be employed. Switching jobs may help or harm.
To say, “I am a member of the Body of Christ, again means you play a critical role”, but in the church. If you suddenly become dissatisfied in the position you are in, for example, if you are a child, and wish to have a different role, then that may harm the body of Christ in that the position you are in was chosen by God. Quitting the body will have harmful consequences also. Therefore if you are part of the body of the state, you can have the freedom of moving from one position to another without making a mark on the overall status of the state. If you are part of the body of God, you have a different kind of freedom in the role you play.
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