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There was a time in our recent history when two people having a dispute could change another’s mind, by convincing them that what they were proposing was unconstitutional. People respected and obeyed the Constitution. Mike Winther discusses the U.S. Constitution and whether it is a static or living document.
He talks about common problems with current understanding of the Constitution including not knowing what it says, not understanding what it says, or just not caring what it says. He also dives into Constitutional learning. He weaves in current opinion and always goes back to a biblical and scriptural basis for having a principled perspective.
You’ll Learn:
- [00:36] Three problems with the American understanding of the Constitution today. 1. Most Americans don’t know what the Constitution says. 2. Those that know what it says don’t know how to properly interpret it. 3. Then there are those who know what it says and know what it means, but don’t agree with it.
- [01:15] Decades ago it was very common for most people to support the Constitution.
- [01:59] Constitutional learning. The Constitutional law class. This teaches what the courts think about the Constitution.
- [03:10] Teaching about the mechanics of the Constitution can be more valuable than Constitutional law. Understanding the principles the Constitution is based on is even more valuable.
- [04:09] Philosophies of the Constitution. The original intent. We should maintain the document as it was intended by the founders. This is also called the strict constructionist view.
- [05:02] The living breathing document view says that the Constitution needs to be a living and evolving document.
- [07:51] How evolutionary theory affects our law and our Constitution.
- [10:02] We need to train our kids about the biblical sources of principles. We need to get away from labels and look at the heart of the issue.
- [12:36] The source of anything determines its use.
- [18:33] There is no discipline more God ordained in the Bible than the civil government.
- [19:29] America was unique in identifying that rights come from God.
- [25:11] In ancient times authority came from God to Moses to the judges.
- [28:43] The better way to govern is to give a list of what can be done or enumerated powers.
- [34:02] The Founding Fathers believed that man is corruptible and wanted decentralized power.
- [37:02] The states created the federal government, not the other way around.
- [39:26] The states granted the government enumerated powers.
- [40:56] The states are the source of the Constitution and the ultimate arbiter of power.