Man's Original Home, the Garden, Was the Beginning of Civilization
Reading through, The Left, The Right and The State(Rockwell Jr., L.H. LvMI. 2013.), I came across this curious statement: "...the law of association is a fact of human existence whether or not there is a state. Indeed, the foundation of civilization itself precedes the existence of the state" (Rockwell Jr., Llewellyn H.. The Left, the Right, and the State (p. 253). Ludwig von Mises Institute. Kindle Edition.). If civilization came first then when did the State arrive and what impact did it have on civilization? As a Christian I believe the Bible gives man insight to answer the fundamental question I posed in the title of this blog as suggested by Mr. Rockwell's statement. Let us explore this assumption.
First, let us define our two terms satisfying Logic's Law of Identity to prevent the logical fallacies of equivocationand reification. Civilization is a difficult word to define as one's worldview determines the definition so that your civilization is always the preferred or superior association group (Civilization. Ancient History Encyclopedia). I propose that civilization is based on the concept of free associationof its members within and without one's particular social group. Stateis the supreme public power {government} within a sovereign political entity. Government, the means by which the state rules: "the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc." (Government. Dictionary.com). Mr. Rockwell stated Mr. Hayek's argument that "... the state is wildly overrated as a mechanism of order-keeping. The state is and has been in history a source of disorder and chaos." (Rockwell Jr., Llewellyn H. The Left, the Right, and the State (p. 253). Ludwig von Mises Institute. Kindle Edition.). Does the Bible agree, disagree or is neutral on this subject? The conclusion is essential to understand if Christians should love the State today as they obviously proclaim.
The first association was between Man and Woman, later known as Adam and Eve (Ge 2:21-25). Adam, under the guidance of God taught that the fundamental association was between a man and woman as the foundation for free association. After the sin issue separated the intimacy of both man and woman and both of them from God, children were added into this system. Man and woman agreed to children, raised the children and at an appropriate juncture in their development sent them forth to develop their own free associations. However, sin was present and relationships were fraught with peril as sin is always based on violence.
Cain and Abel is a demonstration of the Violence of Sin Disrupting Free Associations
The most fundamental free association is between a person and God; from this association all else flows as it forms the basis for one's value system defining right and wrong{morality}. Sin disrupts this as man's sin nature {present at conception} rejects God and His morality (Ten Words. Ex 20:1-17). God extends His mercy toward those who humble themselves, repenting of their sin (1Pe 5:5-8). Enter the children of sin: Cain and Abel. Cain means given by the Lord (Ge 4:1). The strong implication is that Eve saw Cain as the Messiah who would defeat Satan, freeing them from sin so they could reenter the Garden. The next child, Abel, was considered worthless compared to his mighty brother. Abel lived with this rejection in humility throwing his care on the Lord. At some point and in some manner not explained Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. God accepted Abel's because of his repentant humility while He rejected Cain's because of his prideful arrogance. Cain could not tolerate the free association between God and Abel. Rather than control his sin Cain was controlled by his sin and killed Abel (Ge 4:3-8). Cain was then markedso that no one would kill him to avenge Abel. Cain at this juncture left for the Land of Wanderers {Nod} which was populated by others who had also rejected God {Wanderers}. Thus, God allowed free association even by those who rejected Him and He continues that policy today (Ro 1:18-27). However, Cain was not content with the civilization of simple free associations. (Continued in Part B).
Older
Top
