APPENDIX II
THE FOUR "R's"
The four "R's" are paraphrased as follows: Researching involves searching God's Word again and again to identify the basic principles that govern the subject, identifying the vocabulary of the subject, and deducing its biblical source and purpose. Webster defines research (noun) as "diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search after truth". Research (verb) is "to search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently for the truth; to search again; to examine anew". The biblical basis for "research" is found in John 5:39; Acts 17:11; and 1 Peter 1:10.
Reasoning should be based upon "biblical principles or truths . . identifying them to the student through [the] subject, thereby concluding from Scripture the biblical significance and governmental importance of the subject". Webster defines reason (verb) as "to deduce inferences justly from premises". Reason (noun) is "a faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes truth from falsehood, and good from evil, and which enables the possessor to deduce inferences from facts or from propositions". The biblical basis for reasoning is found in Isaiah 1:18; Acts 17:2; 24:25; and 1 Peter 3:15.
Relating of biblical principles to each student may be done through the subject by "explaining . . . the meaning and application of biblical truth to each student's Christian character, conscience and stewardship of God-given talents". Webster defines relate as "to tell; to recite; to narrate the particulars of an event; to bring back; to restore; to ally by connection or kindred". He defines expound as "to explain; to lay open the meaning; to clear of obscurity; to interpret; as to expound a text of Scripture; to examine; make clear to the understanding". The biblical basis for relating is found in Acts 18:26; Luke 24:27, 32; and Ps. 19:1-4.
Recording of research is the final step. Webster defines record as "to write or enter in a book . . . for the purpose of preserving authentic or correct evidence of a thing; to imprint deeply on the mind or memory; to cause to be remembered". The biblical basis for "recording" is found in Luke 1:1-4; 1 John 5:10; 3 John 12; Rev. 1:1-3; and Hab. 2:2.
The "4-R's" are a biblical method of reasoning designed to make the truths of God's Word the basis of every subject by the application of the seven biblical principles of liberty that demonstrate the relationship between Christian character and a nation's history and government. These four processes are usually done simultaneously. The short term for this educational approach is "4-R-ing".
An Example of 4-R-ing
To give an example of 4-R-ing, the writer will examine the concept govern. The first step would be to research the word. The student defines it, using Webster's 1828 Dictionary to look for key words or terms in the definition. Then the key words are defined. For example, to govern is:
To direct and control the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will. Thus in free states, men are governed by the constitution and laws; in despotic states, men are governed by the edicts or commands of a monarch. . . . To regulate; to influence; to direct.
The key words in Webster's definition include "direct", "control", "law", "regulate", "constitution", "monarch", "despotic" and "arbitrary". These also are to be defined. To direct means "to regulate; to guide or lead . . . to order; to instruct; to point out a course of proceeding, with authority". To control is: "to check; to restrain; to govern". A law is: "a rule prescribed by the supreme power or a rule of civil court" (or by a parent, school, church or employer). To regulate is: "to adjust by rule, method or established mode; as, to regulate weights and measures . . . to regulate our moral conduct by the rules of God and of society; to regulate our manners by the customary forms".
A constitution is "the fundamental rules, principles and ordinances for the government of a state or nation". A monarch is "a king [or queen], or prince, the supreme magistrate [ruler] of a nation, whose powers are in some respects limited by the constitution of the government. Thus we call [the Queen of Australia] a monarch, although [she] can make no law without the consent of parliament". Australia's government is a constitutional monarchy because the Queen's power is limited by the constitution of the land. A despot is a king who rules "without any control from men, constitution or laws". Arbitrary means "despotic; absolute power; having no external control [by a constitution or laws]; as an arbitrary prince or government".
These definitions are to be recorded in a notebook for permanent reference. Then, using Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the English Bible, the student finds Scriptures containing all the key words and writes them out. These might include: "Shall even he that hateth right 'govern'?" (Job 34:17). "The 'government' shall be upon His shoulder" (Isa. 9:6); "I will 'direct' my prayer unto you" (Ps. 4:3); and "Great peace have they which love thy 'law'" (Ps. 119:165). A thesaurus is also an essential tool for finding synonyms. Listed under the simile regulate are: organise, influence, remedy, govern, manage and make laws.
From these definitions and Scriptures (interpreted always according to the context), the student should reason and write out his own definition of govern and relate it to his own life, through the subject. For example, to govern is to regulate, control or direct the source of power, much like the flow of a river can be directed and channelled in a particular direction by building banks and dams. Like the source of a river, the source of power may start from an unseen beginning. This principle is illustrated in the life of Jesus. Although "all power is given unto [Jesus]" He was born as a baby in a cattle stall in an insignificant village two thousand years ago. Isaiah predicted that "the government shall be upon His shoulder" (Isa: 9:6). The influence of His government in human affairs has been felt ever since.
There are two sources of spiritual power--the government of God and the government of Satan. Government is internal (cause) and external (effect). It starts on the inside--in man's heart (Prov. 4:23). He is either governed by God's Law or by Satan's law (the lusts of his own heart). What rules the heart is causative. It affects the visible forms and functions of government--in the home, the church, and in the civil sphere. True government (based on the biblical principles) starts with Christian self-government in the individual who is submitted to God's authority, as revealed in His Word. The child is submitted to his parents (Exod. 20:12) and the king (or prime minister) to the law embodied in the constitution which is based on the Law of God. The first question, then, that we should ask about any individual, event or institution is "Who or what is in control?"
From this above example of "4-R-ing," it can be seen that a whole course on government could be taught, using the Bible and Webster's Dictionary as the only textbooks! In doing research, it is absolutely essential to use primary documents, particularly in history, which have been rewritten according to humanistic interpretations to eliminate Christian influences. An original document, such as a journal, sermon, speech, essay, book or statute, portrays the true intent of the author, uninfluenced by editorial comment that may portray a different .i).Four R's;worldview.