Government Structure Failed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: NO

The Bible emphasizes maturity for rulers (20 for military, 30 for ruling); novices should not be in authority (1 Tim 3:6).

Summary

Lowers the age requirement for state legislators to 18.

Biblical Reasoning

The Bible places a tremendous emphasis on maturity, age, and wisdom for those given responsibility to rule in society. Both Old and New Testaments are quite clear about this. In the Old Testament, a man remained a “child,” under-age and under his parents’ authority, until the age of 20, when he could take up some civic responsibilities. (See Num. 1:2- 3, 18, 30ff; 14:29; 26:2, 4; Ex. 30:14; 38:26; 2 Chron. 25:5.)

Levites and priests could not enter into their ruling responsibilities until age 25 or 30. (See Numbers 8:23-26; 1 Chr. 23:3.) David, the ideal King/Ruler, began his reign at the age of 30, the same age that Jesus began His public ministry. Hebrews 5:14 says it takes time and much training to get the wisdom to properly rule. The Biblical data supports 20 as the age of military maturity, and 30 as the age of ruling maturity. Clearly, the biblical data would have us question the ability of any 18 year old to make the sorts of major decisions State Legislators (modern day “elders in the gates”) are called on to make.

The New Testament specifically warns us not to put novices into positions of leadership. 1 Tim. 3:6 says that a ruler must not be “a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” Anyone aged eighteen would have to be considered a newcomer to civil affairs, and thus ineligible.

Numbers 1:2-3 — “In the Old Testament, a man remained a “child,” under-age and under his parents’ authority, until the age of 20, when he could take up some civic responsibilities.”
Numbers 8:23-26 — “Levites and priests could not enter into their ruling responsibilities until age 25 or 30.”
Hebrews 5:14 — “Hebrews 5:14 says it takes time and much training to get the wisdom to properly rule.”
1 Timothy 3:6 — “1 Tim. 3:6 says that a ruler must not be “a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.””
Isaiah 3:12 — “Isaiah 3:12, speaking of a time of judgment, says ” As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.””

Election Results

27%
73%
YesNo

Voters rejected reducing the minimum age for legislators (73% No).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Recommendation: Measure 17 flies in the face of the clear teaching of the Bible. It is foolish, and perhaps one of the worst bills to come out of the Republican controlled Legislature in a long time. It is detrimental to both the people of Oregon, and to the young men and women who may become, with age and maturity, excellent Legislators. We strongly urge a NO vote on this Measure.

PEAPAC Commentary: The Oregon Legislature referred this Ballot Measure to the voters. Amazingly, the vote was 46-12 in the House, and 22-3 in the Senate. Republicans hold a majority in both House and Senate. The Bible places a tremendous emphasis on maturity, age, and wisdom for those given responsibility to rule in society. Both Old and New Testaments are quite clear about this. In the Old Testament, a man remained a “child,” under-age and under his parents’ authority, until the age of 20, when he could take up some civic responsibilities. (See Num. 1:2- 3, 18, 30ff; 14:29; 26:2, 4; Ex. 30:14; 38:26; 2 Chron. 25:5.) Levites and priests could not enter into their ruling responsibilities until age 25 or 30. (See Numbers 8:23-26; 1 Chr. 23:3.) David, the ideal King/Ruler, began his reign at the age of 30, the same age that Jesus began His public ministry. Hebrews 5:14 says it takes time and much training to get the wisdom to properly rule. The Biblical data supports 20 as the age of military maturity, and 30 as the age of ruling maturity. Clearly, the biblical data would have us question the ability of any 18 year old to make the sorts of major decisions State Legislators (modern day “elders in the gates”) are called on to make.

The New Testament specifically warns us not to put novices into positions of leadership. 1 Tim. 3:6 says that a ruler must not be “a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” Anyone aged eighteen would have to be considered a newcomer to civil affairs, and thus ineligible. Proverbs is a book written to teens. It warns over and over about the temptations of intoxicants, sexual relationships, and bad company. These temptations are common to teens. Wine, women, and song (fellowship) are all great gifts from God, but only when enjoyed in terms of His Word. The halls of power in Salem are filled with these temptations. Proverbs is written to princes, with the goal of them becoming kings and rulers in society. The future king’s integrity is guarded by avoiding the temptations of pride, too much wine, the wrong women, and bad company. So, for the good of the body politic, and for the well being of the teen that may eventually, when mature, become one of our great Legislators, we urge a No vote on Measure 17.

One other comment. This Measure, given to us by conservatives, shows why we need this Voters Guide and other such materials. Isaiah 3:12, speaking of a time of judgment, says ” As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” It is clear that our Legislators are simply not taking into account Biblical data in their decision-making processes. They actually choose the curse of children as rulers.

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