Explain the relevance of key aspects from the public policy research and/or development
process to your own academic and/or professional interests in public policy.
Explain how ideas related to a Biblical model of government and statesmanship discussed in
required readings and presentations inform your academic and/or professional interests in
public policy.
In 2018, 63 countries lost a combined total of US$ 23.8 billion to natural disasters, an
amount that is higher than the annual Gross Domestic Product of more than half of the world
nation-states and territories.1, 2 In addition to natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed
at least 71 million people to extreme poverty.3 Working with the United Nations to support
governments respond to disasters and develop long term solutions to poverty is challenging.
Every country is unique. Although the effects of the problems on people are similar, they often
differ in their root causes, and therefore, solutions. Clarke Cochran et al., American Public
Policy- An Introduction emphasize the importance of understanding the social, cultural,
economic, and political contexts and institutional, inter-governmental, and stakeholder dynamics
in any policy level work.4
If not carefully designed, policies can exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities
and deepen the ideological divide. Constituents may lose trust and respect for the policy and the
government.5 The lack of recognition of youth's real needs gave rise to the Jesus movement, a
spiritual group whose political objective was to advocate for the inclusion and caring for the
poor. But under the doctrine of the two swords, the church and state both separate obligations but
share common duties to help the poor.6 The “Jesus freaks” and the state should within themselves
equally demand those duties, rather than an otherwise.
Policy development in a multitude of complex factors can be a frustrating, inefficient
exercise. Clarke Cochran, et al. suggest seven useful steps in policymaking that begin with
defining the problem, establishing the need for policy, implementation, evaluation, and
redefinition of the problem. By “suggesting” a basic model, Cochran et al. open windows of
creativity and unexpected opportunity that may facilitate policy development. The analyst’s
worldview also influences the quality of the policy. Here, I was always reminded of God’s
sovereign authority, power, and purpose in the Biblical framework.7 As Jesus said, “all authority
1 Sustainable Development Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere. (https://sdgs.un.org/goals
accessed December 20, 2021).
2 World Bank Meta Data (https://bit.ly/395PUIB accessed December 19, 2021).
3 Sustainable Development Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere (https://sdgs.un.org/goals
accessed December 20, 2021).
4 Clarke Cochran, et al., American Public Policy- An Introduction, 11th Ed. 2016 (Boston, Massachusetts:
Cengage Learning), 30-37.
5 Clarke Cochran, et al., American Public Policy- An Introduction, 19-29.
6 Doctrine of the Two Swords. PLCY 700 Course Introduction, undated.
in heaven and in earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18, ESV),8 but gave “power” to
government under His sovereign authority (Romans 13: 1-4, ESV)9 to rule His creation on earth
(Genesis 1:26-28, KJV).
The covenantal principles are realized in US system of federalism. The national
government's power is limited to protect inalienable rights and freedoms as enshrined in the
founding of the US Constitution.10 The three equal branches of government are separate but
equal and a system of checks and balances and mechanisms for dialogue across the levels of
government exist. Based on the covenantal principles, the Church and State are separate, giving a
distinction between sin (a violation of God's laws), and crime (a violation of a person's
inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property). Therefore, it is the right of the individual to resist
tyranny, as provided in the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution.11
7 Kahlib J. Fischer, Biblical Principles of History and Government (Virginia Beach: Regent University),
1998, 13-16, Kahlib Fisher PLCY 700 Course Introduction, undated.
8 In the realm of government, “authority” (Greek “exestin”), an action uninhibited or unprevented by any
norm of court is higher than “power” which is the ability to do something (Kahlib J. Fischer, Biblical Principles of
History and Government).
9 Kahlib J. Fischer, Biblical Principles of History and Government (Virginia: Regent University), 1998, 13-
16.
10 John Locke, The Two Treatises of Civil Government, (Hollis ed., Chapter II), 199.
11 John Locke, The Two Treatises of Civil Government, 199.
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