Constitution Course

As Christian citizens living in a land that  God has bestowed liberty unlike no other in history, there is a crucial  need for us to get a clear understanding of the United States Constitution and it's critical importance in maintaining what the founders bequeathed to the American Church.

The  times in which we live make it imperative that we understand how our  government is supposed to function under the Federal Constitution. The  Bible commands us to take “every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor  10:5). Unfortunately, for far too many Christians today, the last thing  they think about when it comes to spiritual things is their government  and the United States Constitution.

America's founders and the framers of the Constitution created a system of civil government unlike any other of its day and bequeathed a great gift to future generations not only in America but around the world. Because of their understanding of the depravity of man, they created a system whereby man would be under law rather than law under men. In the United States of America, the ultimate earthly governing authority with whom believers are required to submit to under God (Romans 13), is not a human office holder, but rather the United States Constitution and the rule of law. Therefore, for the Christian in America to be obedient in this area of life, discipleship and biblical application is as important as any other area for those in the American Church.

What You Can Expect: Before diving into the Constitution itself, we will begin by looking at the biblical worldview of civil government and it's purpose. Then we will connect the dots between the biblical worldview, the historical background, the idea of the rule of law, and the Constitution itself. We will then overview the design of the document and dive into the critical areas of Article I, Article II, and Article III and explain how the framers intended for the Constitution to be treated and how it should be interpreted. We will look at both interpretational philosophies (Original Intent and Living Constitution) and show the utter fallacy of the modern Living Constitution idea and it's impact on our Constitutional Republic.

My passion, prayer, and hope is that this study would be used to not only train us in the subject matter but also help those who claim Christ to transform and renew their minds to the biblical principles concerning civil government and the great gift of liberty and limited government under the United States Constitution. By doing so, we bring Glory to God for His indescribable wisdom and blessing to the American Church. Furthermore, my hope is that God's people would then live rightly and in doing so, that they would impact the kingdom of men for His Glory!

Course Outline

Session 1.   Introduction, First Things  

Session 2.   Biblical Worldview and Purpose of Government

Session 3.   Purpose of Government (Continued) / Types of Governments

Session 4.   Where did the Founders and Framers Get Their Ideas?

Session 5.   Historical Background of the United States Constitution

Session 6.   United States Constitution

Session 7.   Article I – The Constitution as the Rule of Law

Session 8.   Article II – Executive Branch

Session 9.   Article III – Judicial Branch

Session 10. Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VII

Session 11. Bill of Rights

Session 12. Interpreting the Constitution

Sources / Resources For Further Study (new items added frequently)

- Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens - Michael P. Farris

- From Tyndale to Madison - Michael P. Farris

- Original Intent - David Barton, Wallbuilders

- Federalist Papers - Available in hardcopy and many places online, my favorite site for online use is: https://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/fed.asp

- 1776 - David McCullough, probably the best single volume written for all the events of that year. Any book by McCullough is a great and easy read.

- John Adams - David McCullough

- Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States - George Thomas Kurian and Mark A. Lamport

- Politics According to the Bible, Wayne Grudem

- America's Godly Heritage, David Barton, Wallbuilders

- Donald Lutz, A Preface to American Political Theory, 1992

- Daniel L. Dreisbach, “The Bible and the Political Culture of the American Founding.” In Faith and the Founders of the American Republic, edited by Mark David Hall, and Daniel L. Dreisbach, 2014

- Of Plymouth Plantation - William Bradford, 1620

- John Winthrop, sermon, A Model of Christian Charity, 1630 

- Lex Rex (The Law and the Prince) - Samuel Rutherford, 1644

- The Narrative of the Captivity of Mary Rowlandson - Mary Rowlandson, 1682

- New England Primer, 1690