ACH Seminar

Words of “Wisdom”

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–By Ben Gilmore

This is the “Introduction” to the book I am writing, “Principles of American Government” (© Ben Gilmore) I think you will enjoy reading it. Ben

Words of “Wisdom” –

Get Wisdom!

Koiné Greek, the common language at the time of the New Testament, is reputed to be the most succinct1 language ever created. Alexander the Great, between the Old and New Testaments, is credited with development of this language.

Alexander was a general from Greece who conquered most of the (then) known world – the Near and Middle East, Egypt, … all the way to India. He wanted a military language that would be very clear, so that tactical instructions would not be misunderstood.

Isn’t it interesting that God would choose to use this “most succinct language” to write the New Testament!

Were you to research the NT era words translated “wisdom” in English. You would find three words: sophia, phronesis, sunesis2. Suppose little “Spiro” came home to mother. “Mom, I saw the wise man down at the mall.” She might reply, “That’s interesting. Was it the sophist, the phronesist, or the sunesist?”

Let’s bring these definitions down to our level –

  • Sophia = “big-picture wisdom.” An umbrella word that contains the meaning of the other two.

  • Phronesis = “practical wisdom.” Understanding how to do things.

  • Sunesis = “mechanical wisdom.” Understanding how things work.

I like to illustrate the difference with my watch. If I’m in front of a store window with all kinds of watches and I’m comparing my watch to all of them, that is “big picture wisdom” (sophia).

If I show you the watch face and explain how to interpret the display to tell the date and time, whether I am late for dinner, or oversleeping – That is “practical wisdom.” (phronesis)

If I turn the watch over and remove the back so that I can explain how it does what it does – That is “mechanical wisdom.” (sunesis)

A visiting preacher who is a sophist might speak on the “Authority of the Bible” and how 66 books, written by many authors, centuries apart – Authors who were shepherds, kings, poets, prophets and the like, writing on subjects that span the life experience, managed to produce a book without error, or contradiction! Big-picture stuff.

A pulpit guest in your church who is a phronesist might speak on “How to write a letter of restitution to your parents,” or “How to lead someone to a salvation prayer.” Practical things.

A visiting sunesist might point out that justice and mercy cannot coexist (i.e. The guilty wants mercy. The innocent wants justice.) Then he would show how the atonement of Christ reconciles justice with mercy. The mechanics of things.

I nominate the leading sophist of my generation to be Francis Schaeffer (“How Should We Then Live”). Bill Gothard (“Basic Youth Conflicts”) is the leading phronesist. I’ll chicken out in nominating the sunesist. (It depends upon which school of theology you attended!)

We are about to study “Biblical Principles of Government.” As illustrated in America. Sophia, phronesis and sunesist break down into Biblical, Historical, Governmental. Certainly “Biblical” is an authoritative, big-picture topic. God is interested in History. (“Remember this event with a marker”, “Celebrate this day each year.”) History takes something out of speculation and makes it fact. History is all about practics. Investigating how and why Biblical principles work and all others fail, focuses on the Governmental or logical structure.

                    ALL THAT TO SAY THIS:

In the “Biblical Principles of Government” field, the most gifted sophist, master-teacher I have found, is James Rose of American Christian History Institute.

Among master-teachers who are gifted phronesists, there is none better than the world’s most talented story teller, Beth Ballenger of Noah Webster Educational Foundation.

For the present, I’ll be your sunesist. All through this work, you will see me teaching from the mechanical viewpoint.

For a “stereo” teaching on these subjects, I recommend attending an “American History and Government Study Seminar”.

When I speak of “master-teachers” I am not referring to motivational speakers, or intellectual giants who feed giraffes rather than sheep. A “master-teacher” is one with the gift of planting seeds of comprehension that will take root and grow for a lifetime.

For His-story & Government!!!

Ben Gilmore
ACH Study Groups

[Contact Ben]

Footnotes:

       1. SUCCINCT’, a. [L. succinctus; sub and cingo, to surround.] … … Compressed into a narrow compass; short; brief; concise; as a succinct account of the proceedings of the council. Let all your precepts be succinct and clear. [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]

       2. While Sophia is insight into the true nature of things, phronesis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results; While Sophia is theoretical, phronesis is practical … . Sunesis, understanding, intelligence, is the critical faculty; this and phronesis are particular applications of sophia. [W.E. Vines, Dictionary of N.T. Words]

More Situation Ethics

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–By Ben Gilmore

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislators thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.” [U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 3. June 21, 1788]

“Situation ethics” — Making choices in an effort to manipulate the results. The XVII Amendment [April 9, 1913] changed the original wording to, ” … elected by the people thereof …”

What is wrong with that change? It is a legal change according to the rules of amendment. “We the people” are the ultimate authority over the U.S. Government. So why do I say that change was situation ethics and not principle ethics?

The root problem appeared to the voters to be a loss of votive power which the founders had placed in the hands of each state legislature. The amendment placed power in the hands of the majority of voters at large in the state. Did that give the voters more votive power? No, they voted away their control of the U.S. Senate!

The change was focused upon the perceived disconnect of the Senate members from “We the people”. That was only the symptom. The cause was ignorance of the principle of federalism (sovereignty of both state and national government).

Look at the details. In California, we have 40 State Senators and 80 State Assemblymen. That is 120 legislators, each elected (by the people) from separate districts in California. Originally, our two U.S. Senators were answerable to those 120 lawmakers. In turn, those California lawmakers were answerable to their respective voters back home. Our state’s interests were equally represented among the other states in the U.S. Senate.

After the 17th Amendment (1913), each U.S. Senator was answerable to all the voters in California! Who has more influence over a U.S. Senator – 1 of 120 state legislators, or 1 of millions of voters? Before the amendment, Senators had to win the confidence of the legislators. After the amendment, they had to win confidence of millions. That takes money, lots and lots of it. Who will the winners represent – the State, or the source of the funds?

Our founders created the House of Representatives to represent “We the people”. The larger states (population) had more Representatives. They created the U.S. Senate to represent the interests of their respective sovereign states.

Why was that important? If we eliminated the U.S. Senate and had only the House of Representatives, the few largest state delegations, (say New York, California, Illinois) would dominate the legislature in Washington, D.C. and Rhode Island, Nevada, and Delaware citizens would have no effective vote. The national government would grow ever bigger and the state governments and their regional interests would grow ever weaker.

Had the people learned the sound principles debated and understood by our founders, our state and national governments would be far healthier than they are today. Such principles are seldom understood by citizens today. Why is that?

I believe those opposed to our founding principles have found ways to “dumb down” our education system. They have applied the principle that, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves …” [Declaration of Independence -1776]

The solution — What is done is done! Until we learn again those founding principles, we are ill equipped to repair and restore our ship of state. Having mastered sound principles of American government, there are many areas you may apply them.

On the other hand – Ignorant activism is more dangerous than apathy! Take an ACH course , or one like it!

For His-story & Government!!!

Ben Gilmore
ACH Study Groups

[Contact Ben]

Patriotism is Not Enough!

Ben's Blog, News / By

–By Ben Gilmore

We have lots of apathetic patriots! The easiest course is to do nothing!

After reading this – go to the website and become part of the 100 member class! If you can not get away 4 days next week why not send a teen!

YOU need to be there! Your kids and grand kids need to be there!

QUOTE OF THE CENTURY… MAYBE EVEN THE MILLENIUM

Some people have the vocabulary to sum up things in a way you can understand
them. This quote came from the Czech Republic . Someone over there has it
figured out. We have a lot of work to do.

“The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of
entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to
limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the
necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to
have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more
serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming
the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of
fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama,
who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude
of fools such as those who made him their president.”

Fran responded with these golden words words:

“This is so true. Part of the problem is that Americans no longer know their heritage. We no longer teach in school the biblical principles that God established, based on His word, in this nation. Instead, the “fools” are like Esau who was willing to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. Ben and I have dedicated our lives to teaching these principles. Love you all, Fran”

www.ACHStudyGroups.com/seminar

Class begins at 9am a week from tomorrow – Bring someone and join us!

[CONTACT US]

Ben & Fran Gilmore,
ACH Co-founders.

Just Three Weeks!

Ben's Blog, News, Speaking Out / By

Publish freely-
with attribution

–By Ben Gilmore

Three weeks from today!

Last fall this column was among the first to say, “It appears we may have treason in the White House.” Today, the evidence of treason and corruption is overwhelming. Our “check & balance” system appears to have failed. We must place great hope in the elections this fall to redirect our ship of state.

What will happen this summer and fall is only conjecture. Who can say?

Of these facts, I am certain: Damage is being done which must be repaired; The current generation has little concept of American history or government; Their parents’ generation is little better off; And – Much the same can even be said of their grand-parents!

For America’s sake – PLEASE – Hear my heart-cry and pray.

We MUST train our adults and teens in the sound principles that inspired America’s founders. Without that, efforts at repair and restoration will be futile! “Patriotism” is not enough.

Such sound principles must first be clearly biblical, the ultimate source of truth. But “biblical” carries little weight in today’s market-place of ideas. Sound principles must also be clearly illustrated in history. Further, sound principles must pass the test of reason. True history and sound reason do have weight in the market-place of ideas. Truth always fights to the surface.

Where can you get such instruction today? Among the best is the 4-day American History and Government Study Seminar, in Rocklin, California June 23 – 26 (just 3 weeks from today).

I pray- beseech- beg! you to review the student comments on the web site www.ACHStudyGroups.com

Then arrange your schedule to join us. Send your teens and college kids. Get them to Sacramento. ACH Staff and friends will see to their transportation and housing (gratis). You/They will need cash for their meals and $145 for Registration and Tuition. A bargain for 4 days with master teachers! We are “believing” for at least 100 students this year. There is room for 200! I believe EVERY church should be sponsoring such an event!

For His-story & Government

Ben Gilmore

[Contact Ben]

What’s Right With America

Ben's Blog, News / By

Just 30 Days —

–By Ben Gilmore

Most of us have teens or college kids and friends we wish knew more about what is going on in America. I’m not talking about what is wrong, there is information everywhere.

Consider seriously sending someone to the American History and Government Study Seminar June 23-26, 2010. Registration and tuition is $145 for an exciting 4 days and commissioning banquet. Once here, we’ll supply housing & transportation (gratis)! You can brown bag to class.

PLEASE do not pass up this opportunity until having first read the “student comments” on our web page: www.achstudygroups.com/student-comments.

America needs people who have studied and who know what is RIGHT about America.

America needs people who have learned how to present what is RIGHT in the market place of ideas.

Ben Gilmore
ACH Co-founder

[Contact Ben]  |  [Read More About the Seminar]

American History & Government Study Seminar, June 23 – 26, 2010

Ben's Blog / By

–By Ben Gilmore

The following letter just arrived from a dear friend.

To Whom This May Concern:

I am writing this to anyone who might be considering taking the ACH Seminar. I took the class as an adult several years ago and found it to be most enlightening in so many ways.

It caused me to fall in love with American History for the first time. I would so like to see this course taught in our public schools at every grade level. This is probably not going to happen although I believe that nothing is impossible with God. For this reason I would recommend that you consider taking the course for yourself and also make certain that your children have the benefit of learning the truth about our awesome American History.

What it did for me, was cause me to grow in patriotism. It gave me a great hunger to get informed concerning what was taking place in the political arena. Today I am actively supporting candidates I believe in, who share my Christian political views. I have always voted, but now I feel my votes are made with greater understanding, after having done my homework.

Now I feel that I am the very best American I can be. And that is a very good feeling.

With Fondness, Claudia Bonfante

What more is there to add! Please take this invitation seriously!
Ben & Fran Gilmore, Co-Founders, ACH Study Groups

Self Government

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–By Ben Gilmore

I believe it is a law of nature.

As the quality if a person’s Internal Self-Government decreases External Government of Self will ALWAYS increase.

This is as true for a family, a church, or civil government as it is for an individual person.

The solution is obvious, but not easily applied:

INCREASE THE QUALITY OF INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.

Brittney Deoliveira (16) one of our ACH students was next to last of a dozen plus, speakers at a Tea Party Rally in Florida. The other speakers spoke of the problem of “Big Government”. This teen spoke of the cause of the problem and pointed to the solution: (edited for brevity)

“I had the honor to speak at the Fort Lauderdale Tax Day Tea Party. I had a three minute allotted speaking time, I was able to choose one principle of the seven that Mr. Gilmore teaches. I focused in on what I believe is the root cause of America’s “big government” – our lack of self-government.

“For generations Americans have been dumbed down and indoctrinated with lies. Unless we change it and become reeducated with the importance of this nation’s founding principles and educate others about them and reincorporate them in our daily thoughts and actions, America will no longer stand. As the people go, so goes the nation.

“Yes, in America we have rights, but as citizens we also have duties. It is our duty to stand up for these seven principles that are paramount for reclaiming America for what it once was.”

If you want YOUR teen to stand up like this one, go to ACHStudyGroups.com. NOW! Then sign up to attend with him/her!

Earn High School Credits with Our Course!

News / By

This should be of interest to parents and grandparents. We have made previous mention of the upcoming American History and Government Study Seminar.

ACA (see below), a major (K-12) Private School Satellite Program, is offering American Government and American History credits to those attending this 4-day 30 hour course. A survey of the material covered in this course will reassure most academic evaluators.

William Jessup University is offering Public Service Credits to those who participate.

The focus will be upon those principles that inspired our founders. Americans need to recapture the founders’ vision, largely ignored for several generations now.

ACH SEMINAR STUDENTS
EARN UP TO 10 HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS FOR
American Government and American History (5 credits each)

Students enrolled for the four-day ACH Seminar June 23-26, 2010 may earn up to ten (10) high school credits, five (5) each toward American Government and five (5) for American History, by attending all the lectures and submitting written answers to questions posed by the faculty.

Students will receive assigned questions at the start of the seminar. Each question will be addressed during the seminar from the instructors own research and expertise and from the three seminar textbooks. Students should take careful notes, ask questions, meet with each instructor as you will, then answer the short essay questions. Email your answers to Mr. Rose by August 30, 2010 or earlier. Answers will be “graded” according to the reasonableness, completeness and documentation of the supporting arguments.

Mr. James Rose, Superintendent of American Christian Academy (K-12) Private School Satellite Program, and one of the three instructors, will read and evaluate your answers, make comments, award appropriate credits and return your work by email.

Complete the enrollment form below and send with your seminar application to register for the credit-completion program.

For further information, email Mr. Rose at jbrosebud@sbcglobal.net or call him at (530) 221-1740.

_____________________________________________________________

ACH SEMINAR HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT PROGRAM

First/Last name:

City:

Age:                              Grade:

Email:                              Phone:

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Ben Gilmore 1929-2023

On March 30, 2023 Ben Gilmore, the co-founder of ACHStudyGroups (co-founded with his wife Fran), went to be with the Lord in Glory.

A Memorial: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/BenGilmore/