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Mike Winther takes us on a little journey into studying the U.S. Constitution, but first we need to understand the proper role of government. We need to evaluate the constitution based on biblical principles and if it’s a good document; we need to defend it.
Once we decide the Constitution is a worthwhile document, then we need to learn about it. This lecture is part of an IPS Government, Economics and History Conference hosted for Christian Educators. This lecture is the first of two parts entitled Founding Principles in the U.S. Constitution. It was given on July 19th, 2011.
You’ll Learn:
- [02:42] There are three problems with our constitution. 1. Most Americans don’t know what it says. 2. They don’t know what it means. 3. We don’t believe in its foundations.
- [04:00] Constitutional law is studying what the courts have done for or to the Constitution. It doesn’t teach a lot about the intent of the Constitution or how it should be interpreted.
- [05:30] We need to understand the philosophical frame of the Constitution, the case law, and the mechanics.
- [06:05] Original intent. The founding fathers wrote this document and the words have meaning that’s understandable and clear and concrete.
- [06:26] The Constitution is a living breathing document. Society has evolved. Our needs and our society are different and the Constitution should be different. It’s okay to modify, broaden, or expand the Constitution. This is the living breathing document approach.
- [07:22] Strict intent. We should hold the Constitution as originally instructed.
- [07:37] Underlying principles. 1. Source of rights. 2. Source of government authority.
- [09:56] Good law is based on God’s principles
- [13:01] Blackstone’s work has been inserted in the Constitution.
- [14:28] 3. Nature of government. 4. Nature of man.
- [15:04] We have three branches of government which are executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative is broken up between the Senate and the House, so technically we have four bodies of government.
- [16:58] Appointed or elected? Electoral college. The states appoint the members of The Electoral College.
- [18:50] A state popular election is used to choose the electors. The electors are chosen by the party of whoever gets the most votes.
- [23:28] The Senate was appointed until the 17th Amendment of the Constitution.
- [23:56] The Supreme Court Justices are appointed by a President.
- [25:12] Office holders represent the people who put them in office.
- [26:35] The presidency was designed to represent the state governments. States appoint senators. People elect the house. The President appoints the Supreme Court.
- [29:10] The federal government is a creation of the states.
- [30:55] Unfunded mandates. It’s when the federal government passes a bill that says a state has to do something, and they’re not getting any funds to do it.
- [35:38] States maintain sovereignty except where they give it up. The source determines the use.