May/June 2021
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
P1 Economics Corner
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P2 U.S. Government News
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P3 Religion
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P4 Book Review
EDUCATION CENTRAL (Facts on America's Business, History, and Religion)
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Message from the editor... Welcome to The Outtop, a research company whose sole purpose is to educate individuals on U.S. history. History that captures the past and present of American spiritually, the peaks and valleys of the country's economy, and its leadership. Truth today is something of an anamoly. It, unfortunately, has become like art - it's in the eyes of the beholder. However, historical truth - that which actually occurred - is just that! Truth!
America's First Recession: 1819 The United States was only forty-three years old when it would experience its first major financial debacle: the Panic of 1819. After the War of 1812 ended, economic expansion proliferated with increased European demand for American goods. Banks expanded credit to speculators, farmers, and business owners. In 1816, Thomas Jefferson would label this period as a "bank bubble." Economist Murray N. Rothbard stated in his book, The Panic of 1819, that "the number of banks in the U.S. rose from 88 in 1811 to 208 in 1815, while bank notes outstanding rose from $2.3 million to $4.6 million in the same period." The Second Bank of the United States eventually tightened credit resulting in bankruptcies, high unemployment, foreclosures, and business failures. I bet you are asking why do I need to know anything regarding economics? You probably think economics is just for someone who has their nose in books all the time. Well, not necessarily. Actually, economics applies to all of us today as well as in the future. Economic data gives us a window into how the economy, say, in the United States is doing. If the economy is doing well, there are jobs available,vacations to take, things to buy. As you buy more things, retailers thrive, and the businesses making and selling the products you are buying can hire more people. Let's look at a term that tells us how the economy is doing: the GDP.
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Fourth Quarter 2020 GDP: 4.3 percent (third estimate)
The Economics Corner Economics Term: GDP Determining the strength of the economy can be seen in numbers. How important are these numbers to you and me. Believe it or not, very important. There is an important economic term called the GDP that helps us know if the economy is booming, holding steady, or not doing well. The GDP means Gross Domestic Product. It measures the value of all final goods and services produced in the United States over a certain time period. Notice the word "final." The GDP does not take into account the value of each of the components that make up a product. This makes sense. Why? Because you would be recounting the value of the components at each stage of production, thereby, inflating the value of the product. The GDP are goods and services that are bought and sold in the marketplace. What is an example of a final good produced? Let's take a vacuum cleaner, for example. Your parents buy one for their home. The transaction of buying a vacuum cleaner is included in the GDP. However, using the vacuum cleaner in one's home is not part of the GDP. The quality of life that a product or service provides to the buyer is omitted in the calculation. The four components of the GDP are: personal consumption expenditures (PCE), gross private domestic investment, government purchases, and net exports of goods and services.
Enjoy the information in this first bimonthly edition. Alda Stephens Publisher
The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment - Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition The words of the First Amendment to the Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' or bridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Patrick Henry, on June 4, 1788, told the Virginia Ratifying Convention that "there are only three things to be retained. Religion, freedom of the press, and jury trial." On September 25, 1789, the First Congress would approve twelve amendments to the U.S. Constitution.In 1791, ten of the twelve amendments became part of the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment. Two men who fougnt hard in 1787 for the Bill of Rights were George Mason and Ellbridge Gerry.
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U.S. Government News selecting the country's president. They knew George Washington was going to be the United States' first president. However, for how long? How would succeeding presidents be elected? How much power would the president have? So many questions, yet few "We then all sat down, and answers. Only suggested after some conference, actions. James Madison took a George Mason, a delegate pen and paper and to the convention, decided sketched out a mode for on July 26 to address the electing the president issue of choosing a agreeable to the present president of the United States. It had been provision." bandied about long U.S. Representative John enough, he thought. His Dickinson (Delaware) proposal was for Congress to elect the president for one seven-year term. There is much talk about the Electoral College There would be several today. Why is it other suggestions by necessary? How did it delegates: come about? Well, let's see how it came about..... - In the book, Jefferson and Hamilton, John In Philadelphia, during the Ferling discussed the sweltering summer infatuation Alexander months of 1787, state Hamilton had for delegates to the England's monarchy. Constitutional Convention As a delegate to the worked behind closed Constitutional doors to put together the Convention, Hamilton U.S. Constitution. It would "urged an executive be the successor to the chosen by the electoral Articles of Confederation, college for life." The which had become largely proposal was liked by ineffective. some, but the radical plan went no where. David O. Stewart captures in his book, The Summer - Gouverneur Morris, a of 1787, the struggles that delegate from delegates had amongst Pennsylvania insisted themselves to agree to a that the people vote for document that spelled out their president. the country's principles and government powers. - James Wilson The importance to get it preferred that the right cannot be people vote for the understated as the United electors whose only States was on the cusp as job would be to the "first constitutional choose a president. democracy," The world, particularly the British, was - A delegate from North watching. Carolina proposed that the country be divided But getting it right, or into three districts, close to right, required each of which would getting over some of the have their own chief hurdles. One area that the executive. delegates struggled with was how to go about
The Electoral College
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Above are the issues that James Madison and others at the Constitutional Convention wrestled with on how the country was going to elect its president and vice-president going forward. It became such a divisive matter that the means of selecting the president of the United States was, on August 31, turned over to a group of delegates called the Committee of Postponed Parts. In the end, as Liz Cheney points out in her book, James Madison, there was consensus on the electors, whereby the state legislators were given the responsibility of how such electors would be chosen. As there was legimate concern with the dominance and ultimate impact of big states over smaller populated states in a national election, Madison and the other delegates agreed that each state's number of electors would equate to the number of individuals the state had in the Senate (two) and in the House of Representatives. This remains so today.
The 23rd amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed by Congress on June 16, 1960, and ratified on March 29, 1961, gave the District of Columbia three electoral votes in presidential elections. Why is the Electoral College necessary today? Trent England, Director of Save Our States, states the following in his paper, "The Danger of the Attacks on the Electoral College": - The Electoral College transferred power of a national election from the federal government to the country's states. - The Electoral College strengthens the results of a presidential election. - The Electoral College is designed to prevent winning the White House with victories in a region of the country; "winning supermajorities in one region" is not a guarantor of being elected president. If this is not enough to justify the Electoral College, perhaps this is: without the Electoral College "we lose the state-by-state system designed by the Framers and its protections against regionalism and fraud." "....and all the great men that it had created were still alive." Alexis deTocqueville Democracy in America
James Madison Facts: Founding Father of the United States U.S. House of Representatives, 1789-1797 Secretary of State, 1801-1809 Fourth U.S. President, 1809-1817 Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-madison
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What is Christianity? (Part 1) Acts 11:26 tells us "For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch."
On a recent Sunday, our pastor proclaimed what some of us in the congregation had suspected. That, unlike what is happening in other countries throughout the world, Christianity is losing its steam in the United States. A devoted Christian, one who trusts in God completely, no doubt cringes at news like this, wrestling to figure out the reasons why.
Merriam-Webster defines Christianity as the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies. came to earth for us - to die for our sins. He overcame death and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. One cannot separate Christianity from Jesus Christ.
What is Christianity? What is its history? Who were its followers centuries ago? How many Christians are in the world today? Christianity has its beginnings with Jesus Christ - His teachings and resurrection. Many attribute the rise of Christianity to the eleven men that Jesus Christ chose as His disciples (of course, He originally chose twelve, but the one - Judas Iscariot turned out to be a traitor who betrayed Jesus and would eventually kill himself shortly after Jesus' arrest). Jesus told His disciples before ascending to heaven "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19 (HCSB). And that is just what they did, preaching the Gospel throughout today's Middle East and portions of Asia.
Paul's First and Second Missionary Trips Map retrieved from www.foundationsforfreedom.net
The four books of the Gospel are: - Matthew - Mark - Luke - John
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There was never a more tireless human professing the Gospel than the Apostle Paul. John MacArthur stated in his book, The Gospel According to Paul, that "...no one did more than Paul to define, delimit, and defend the Gospel." In his earlier years, he was known as Saul of Tarsus, a man who had no use for Christians, seeking punishment for them unremorsefully. Yet, the Lord would show him mercy and he never forgot it....... At around 34 A.D. the Lord interrupted Saul's trip to Damascus. A trip in which Saul's purpose was to bring back to Jerusalem those professing Jesus Christ and punish them. However, the Lord had other plans for Saul. Upon Saul's 180degree conversion, he would tirelessly and zealously preach about the good news of Jesus Christ - that He was the Son of God, why He died for us, and the significance of His resurrection which overcame death. Saul would be referred to as Paul when he and Barnabas visited the island of Cyprus (see Acts 13:9). This was Paul's first missionary journey.This journey took place from 47 A.D. to 49 A.D. Places this journey would take him after leaving Antioch (in Syria): Seleucia (in Syria), Salamis and Paphos (on the island of Cyprus), Perga (in Pamphylia), Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Antioch (in Turkey), Perga, Attalia, then back to Antioch (in Syria).
Christianity is the largest religion in the world today. There are over two billion believers in countries across the world who call themselves Christians.
The word "Gospel" means "good news." In these four books, we read about the good news, that which is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who
Christianity and the Apostle Paul
Paul's Third and Fourth Missionary Trips Map retrieved from www.foundationsforfreedom.net
Paul would make his second missionary trip with Silas in 49 A.D. With the purpose of strengthening the churches, the trip begins with visits through Syria and Cilicia. Travel would then take Paul and Silas to Derbe and Lystra, where they would pick up Timothy, a disciple. They then moved onto Phrygia and Galatia, followed by Troas. A dream would lead Paul to the district of Macedonia. They would visit the towns of
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Christianity and the Apostle Paul (cont.) Samothrace, Neapolis, and Philippi where Paul and Silas would be imprisoned. An earthquake would not just end up releasing Paul and Silas but the prison guard and his family would be baptized expressing their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. The three of them - Paul, Silas, and Timothy - would then travel to Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica. It is now 51 A.D. Following separation in Berea, Paul is reunited with Silas and Timothy in Corinth. Along with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, they would leave Corinth for Syria. Aquila and Priscilla would get off at Ephesus. He would return to Antioch, but not before going through Caeserea and Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul began his third missionary trip in approximately 53 A.D. lasting four years. Leaving Antioch in Syria, Paul travels to several locations, stays the longest in Ephesus (27 months). Before reaching Ephesus, he visits Galatia and Phrygia. While in Ephesus, a riot broke out. Paul subsequently leaves for Macedonia. He would then travel through Greece and sail from Philippi to Troas. From there Paul would go to Assos, Mitylene, Kios, Samos, and Miletus. Prior to being arrested for bringing Gentiles into the temple, his final stop on this mission trip was Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul's final journey was the trip to Rome. He was martyred in 67 A.D.
Book Review: The Ten Commandments by Kevin DeYoung I’ve wondered through the years why people have an issue with the Ten Commandments. Could I have overlooked something behind the words “do not….,” or “keep….,” or “honor….,” or “have no other….” Maybe people struggle with the fact that God’s law originated in the Old Testament. Perhaps people just don’t know them. Or, even worse, they do but find them too confining. But then I am reminded that we are all sinners, unable to consistently obey these ten laws passed down from God thousands of years ago. Okay, I’ll give you that one; however, let’s not turn that into a crux to justify their removal or diminish their significance in how we are to live our lives. In 2004, Billy Graham stated that “the Ten Commandments are just as valid today as when God gave them to Moses over 3,000 years ago……we need the Ten Commandments even more, for we live in a time of great moral and spiritual confusion.” Fourteen years later, in 2018, Kevin DeYoung (senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina) authored what I consider to be a good educational book called The Ten Commandments. In this book, he passionately brings into the lives of the reader the meaning and applicability of these ten rules of law prescriptions put forth by God to serve as a moral compass for humans to exist with each other.
U.S. HISTORY
Facts Behind the Mayflower Voyage What was the type of ship that would bring pilgrims across the Atlantic ocean to America in 1620? - The Mayflower was a merchant vessel. It had been used to transport items such as wine, wool, Spanish salt, and other dry goods. The ship was 100 in length. Who was the captain of the Mayflower? - Captain Christopher Jones
The Eighth Commandment The eighth commandment tells us simply "Do not steal" Exodus 20:15 (HCSB). God tells us we are not to take anything that does not belong to us, regardless of where or who we are. Our adherence to this commandment speaks to our character. Wes Cantrell Sr., in his book HighPerformance Ethics, defines character as "a person's characteristics, the mental and moral features that distinguish that person from others, a person's moral strength and quality of reputation." "The greatest thing you can say about a person is that he has integrity." Jerry Colangelo Former Owner, Phoenix Suns and Arizone Diamondbacks
Why were the people on board the Mayflower called "pilgrims?" - Pilgrims, such as those on the Mayflower make lengthy trips to foreign lands for religious reasons. What year did the pilgrims leave for America? - 1620 From what port did the Mayflower depart from for its journey west across the Atlantic Ocean? - Southhampton, England When was land first seen? - November 9, 1620; the ship came on the back side of Cape Cod
On what date did the Mayflower reach land? - November 11, 1620 What was the Pilgrims' intended destination? - Per an agreement with the Virginia Company (a trading company), the Pilgrims intended to sail to an area along the Hudson River, which was considered part of Northern Virginia in those days (part of New York today). What was the Mayflower Compact? - The Mayflower Compact was a document that put forth rules that established law and order. It came about due to unrest among the ship's passengers who believed that the agreement with the Virginia Company was void because they didn't land inside the Virginia Company territory. How many men signed the Mayflower Compact? - 41 adult men (including two indentured servants) Who was chosen to be the people's leader? - John Carver
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