Witherspoon School Of Law and Public Policy CD Set Review

Recently our family has been privileged to listen to the entire Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy CD set from the Vision Forum.

This set is a collection of recordings from the 2008 conference given for current and future Christian lawyers. The material is excellent, thought provoking, and foundational.

Each of our (older) family members reviewed various sessions. Below is a brief synopsis of each session. We strongly encourage you to obtain a copy for yourself!

Introduction to the Christian Foundations of Western Law
By Kitty

In this CD sermon, Mr. Philips gives a basic introduction to the 2008 Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy. He states that the mission of the school is: to open up the lost book of the law, to encourage Hebrew discipleship, and to train young men as leaders.

He asks and answers many questions such as:

• “What is law?”
• “What is pluralism?”
• “Should we expect pagan nations to submit to God and His Laws?”
• “Do laws evolve?”
  
  In this wonderful 3 part sermon, you will hear the Gospel of Christ strongly proclaimed as Mr. Philips maintains that nothing can be understood, accomplished, or answered without Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, and that the Bible is the sourcebook for every question and problem. He expounds on the Great Commission, and insists that the Church of Christ must be ready to give an answer and know what it believes and why.

Mr. Philips concludes his time by defining terms to be used during the rest of the week (CD set) and with a pop quiz to address common misconceptions and half-truths about the Bible today.

Christian Jurisprudence: Biblical Law, Natural Law, or Positive Law?

By Mama

• On what authority do we base law?
• Is justice defined by God or man?

In this 2-part CD, Mr. William Einwechter brilliantly explains the difference between Biblical Law, Natural Law, and Positive Law.

We have all heard the phrase, “You cannot legislate morality”. The school of Positive Law asserts that the state is the ultimate authority. Laws are not morality based and are constantly evolving. However, does this theory hold its own? Mr. Einwechter illustrates for us how this theory breaks down in the instance of the Nuremberg trials, where the laws of a Sovereign state were obeyed. As no higher law (i.e.: moral law) can apply, how could the defendants be prosecuted? These individuals were eventually tried for “crimes against humanity”. This, of course, could only be accomplished by appealing to a higher law.

Many good people would believe that this “higher law” is Natural Law, which places man’s reason as the standard. The ancients gave us such profound statements as, “Man is to do good and avoid evil.” "Who defines good and evil?" queries our speaker. Fully evidenced in the “Enlightenment”, the concept of man as semi-divine (or “partner with God”) still infiltrates our society today. Is man endowed with “divine reason”, able to discern for himself good and evil? What about Romans 2:14-15? Are we semi-divine/semi-gods, “knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5)?

Mr. Einwechter fully develops these issues, providing thought provoking Biblical analysis.Who is the ultimate source of authority? Are we under God’s authority or are we a law unto ourselves? Biblical Law supports the truth that God is the only Sovereign and has promulgated His law through His Word alone. Is His Word sufficient to the point of application to civil matters? Among other scriptures, Mr. Einwechter expounds upon Psalm 19, which assures us that the law of God is perfect and complete. He points out Duet. 1:16-17, in which we plainly see that judges do not determine justice, they simply carry it out.

True Positive Law only exists when we recognize that Law is given by a Sovereign. That Sovereign is not the state, or man’s reason, but God alone. This session will encourage you and really get you thinking!

What the Bible Says About Female Magistrates
By Peter

Is it Biblically proper for a woman to rule over men? No, it is not.

Bill Einwechter does a tremendous job of giving Biblical reasons why women do not qualify for civil leadership. In his message, “What the Bible Says About Female Magistrates,” scripture after scripture is given supporting male leadership in the home, church, state, and country. He describes how more and more Christian women are going into politics, and what’s even worse is that the Church is supporting it.

Bill Einwechter speaks about Deborah, the “Monstrous Regiment of Women,” (by John Knox), and what the Biblical purpose is for women. While women have wonderful qualities of leadership in certain realms, the Bible is clear as to their roles, as Mr. Einwechter explains. Over all this is a great message and we encourage everyone to listen to it.

Symposium on the Reformation and Law

By Grace

• Biblically thinking, is there such a thing as the Lesser of 2 Evils?
• How does a Christian live in a culture which has turned its back on God?

In this question and answer session, Doug Phillips and Bill Einwechter address such issues as Scripturally qualified rulers, Biblical approaches in public debate, and applying Christian principles at high costs. Each issue is brought back to the foundational principle of a Biblical standard. The resulting conclusion? Be a Christian first, all else after.

Christianity and the Courts

By Kitty

In this 2 CD session, you hear the southern drawl of one of America’s modern heroes and courageous upholders of our Christian faith as he explains the deep Christian roots of our government and court system. He describes the decline of the use of Christian principles to regulate decisions in the courtrooms of our land.

Chief Justice Roy Moore gives a dynamic speech speckled with Scripture and with American history. When he plays a clip of his final moments as a chief justice, he allows you to hear the clash of Spiritual battle as he answers questions, makes a statement, and is removed from his office and relieved of his job.

Judge Moore, along with Mr. Doug Philips, discusses the Rule of Law and answers questions such as

• “What were the most important Supreme Court cases during the last 10 years?”
• “Does it seem that we are giving up our sovereignty to the UN and foreign powers?”
• “What would be the best way for young men to prepare themselves to be leaders?”
• “At what point should you consider disobeying a deplorable court order”
• “What could and should the governor of FL or the President of the United States done in the case of Terri Schiavo?”
  
  This is a wonderful session and discussion time wherein ideas are brought to the table, and difficult questions are asked, with sound Biblical and legal advice and answers given.
  
  An Introduction to the Theology of Church and State
  By Sarah
• Is the Church under the State? Is the State under the Church?
• How far is the family required to obey the civil authorities?
• How much authority do these areas of jurisdiction have over the others, and in what areas?

In this CD, Mr. Doug Phillips expounds upon the Biblical principals that set these different spheres of authority apart, yet each under God. The principles that the Reformers labored to define. These principles gave us our First Amendment rights.

The Battle for Biblical Marriage
By Sarah

The definition, purpose and nature of marriage is being attacked across America.

• Is this the first controversy America has encountered over marriage?
• Are we losing the battle?
• How do we as Christians biblically defend marriage, even against divorce and other un-biblical relationships?
  
  Mr. Jordan Lorence has defended marriage across the nation. In this lecture, he makes a logical and biblical defense of the marriage of one man and one woman till death do they part. He relates events and court cases in history that show that the battle for biblical marriage is not being lost. He shares the parallel between the marriage of Christ to His church, and earthly marriages, and conveys how important this is to understanding and preserving the Biblical marriage.

Defamation in the "Blogosphere"
By Sarah

Mr. Josh Carden does a superior job of emphasizing the wrongs of slanderous emails, articles or entries over the Internet, where there is often no accountability or personal consequences. He gives a great deal of the legal and biblical background surrounding defamation in general. He encourages those who have been attacked and slandered over the blogosphere enemies, even within the church, to remember the promise given in Matt. 5:11 and 12.

You May Not Take Our Guns
By Peter

In the message titled “You May Not Take our Guns,” Larry Pratt defends the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.

In the beginning of this message, Mr. Pratt Describes how there was gun control even in the Colonies, it was just completely opposite from today. In the Colonies you would be fined if you did NOT own a rifle, and then you would either have to buy one, or have one given to you and slowly pay off the debt. He gives numerous examples of gun owners defending themselves, some of which were charged with committing crimes by doing so, and sentenced to prison.
He gives the 1828 dictionary definitions of various words, which gives a clear meaning of the 2nd Amendment.

Is the 2nd Amendment a right? Larry Pratt plainly states that the 2nd Amendment is NOT a right. It is rather a responsibility from God to defend ourselves and our families. He backs that up with scripture. It only requires common sense to know that it takes longer for the cops to get to a crime scene than it does for someone bearing a gun to pull it out and go, BANG! Mr. Pratt gives those kinds of examples too.

Biblical law, Ethics, & Public Policy for Lawyers
By Daddy

In this 2 CD message Mr. Philips gives us a revealing insight into the worldview of ethics. Situational ethics, desensitization, rationalism, ethical relativism and how they have infiltrated our society, the church and the legal/judicial system are all discussed.

Mr. Philips begins with a short introduction of the Holocaust during the 2nd World War and the process of the isolation, gathering, and collecting of the Jewish people in the Warsaw ghetto. He gives us an understanding of why the Jewish leaders became willing participants of the destruction of their own people.

They reasoned that if they target the elderly, sick, and infirm they could slow down or control the number of Jews going to the concentration camps. If they did not co-operate, the SS would come in and ensure a quick and total annihilation of the Jews. Either way, Jews would be collected for deportation to the camps - slowly or quickly. Situational ethics was very much a part of the leaders of the Jewish community in the decision to co-operate with the SS. The philosophy was to sacrifice a few for the sake of the many. He mentions how the SS used psychosocial manipulation on the Polish people to rationalize the murder of the Jews.

Mr. Philips also covers how our medical, legal and Christian institutions deal with ethics. He said, in every decision we have either a worldly view or Godly view. There is no middle or neutral territory.

Biblical Law, Ethics, and Public Policy Recap
By Grace

Siamese twins are born sharing a heart. Physicians predict that both will die, unless they are separated, leaving one alive. Are you Biblically justified in taking the life from one child to allow the other to live?

The attendees are questioned on bioethical issues such as organ harvesting and organ donating, eating human flesh in extreme situations, and embryonic stem cell research on previously aborted babies. These weighty issues, and many others which assail our world today, are discussed in depth, bringing to the forefront the absolute necessity of a Biblical foundation.

The Significance of the Electoral College
By Peter

• How many Electors are in the Electoral College?
• How do we know how many Electors there should be?
• On what day is the President elected?
• Which Presidents did not get the popular vote?
• Which Presidents did not get the majority of the votes from the Electoral College?
• Which President didn’t get any votes from the Electoral College?
• How can someone be elected with only one vote from the Electoral College?
  
  If you are wondering any of these Questions, than this is the CD for you! Howard Philips takes you through History and the Constitution in his Lecture “The Significance of the Electoral College” answering all of these questions and many more. He tells you why John Wilkes Booth tried to assassinate William Steward as well as President Abraham Lincoln and Vice-President Andrew Johnson. He tells you why Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. If you’re one of those people who thinks the Electoral College was a mistake, this CD will change your mind.
  
  Genesis and Geneva: The Emergence of Liberty in the West
  By Mama

• Did Noah have the 10 commandments?
• Are Kings subject to a higher law?
• Do the rights of the people originate with the King (or the State) or do they originate with God?

When the founders pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor based on this phrase, ”With a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence…” they were drawing from centuries old documents, such as Lex Rex and the Declaration of Arbroath, which originated in the Law of Moses, which originated in the book of beginnings, Genesis.

Where did principles such as these originate?

• Due Process of Law
• The Law of Restitution
• Limited Government
• Property Rights
• Breach of Contract

Mr. Douglas Phillips takes us back through time to the foundations of Common Law. He answers the above questions and more. He explains how important was the work of the Reformers in opening up the Word of God to the common man, which opened up the path to true freedom. Our Creator, not our Sovereign, endows divine rights.

These concepts originate in the principles of the Word of God, hidden from the common man for so long.2009 marks the 500th birthday of John Calvin and the 150th birthday of Charles Darwin. Mr. Phillips contrasts these two men and their influence on Western Law. Is there are standard for Common Law or does law “evolve” as society changes? Listen to this session for an inspiring lesson in the origins of Common Law!

Genesis and Geneva (continued)
Review by Markie

In this Cd, Mr. Doug Phillips explains that a missionary can’t just go out and bring a heathen to Christ.

He must also tell the new Christian that he must forsake his heathenistic traditions and gods, and he must follow Christ’s laws. Mr. Phillips also explains to us in this Cd, John Calvin’sGenevan Influence as follows.

• Total depravity
• Priesthood of the believers
• Biblical Law Covenant
• The doctrine of limited government (Local government)
  

Spheres of Sovereignty:
Church Discipline, Autonomy, and the State
By Grace

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”

• What exactly is the Biblical definition of separation of church and state?
• Just how far may the state penetrate into matters of the church?
• Can a pastor be sued for “betraying a member’s confidence” in exercising church discipline?

In this informative message, Bob Renaud elucidates the commonly misunderstood matter of the separate and distinct jurisdictions of civil government and the Church.

The State of Parental Rights

By Kitty

In this amazing session from the Witherspoon School 2009, Mr. Don Hart gives a stunning review of the loss of parental rights we have experienced and don’t even realize that we have. Mr. Doug Phillips whets our appetites with some experiences and wisdom from his time as a lawyer with HSLDA.

Mr. Hart provides Biblical insight as to what the State may and may not do, how far the Church’s jurisdiction reaches, and at what point a parent must be left alone to suffer the ill consequences of his or her actions. Mr. Hart (prayerfully and humbly) gives insight to techniques employed by CPS to get the answers and accusations they want to have. He explains how even the most honest and loving child is easily and unknowingly so confused and bewildered that they eventually have events and ideas so effectually in their heads that, not only do they begin admit to things they had previously never even thought or heard of, but they truly begin to believe it. He cites examples and cases involving CPS, and gives advice and warnings to parents if/when they are confronted with a CPS worker.

Mr. Hart then moves on into the recent polygamy case in Texas in 2008, explaining the preceding years leading up to the disaster, the events and circumstances involved, and the irony of the claims of the State and the CPS workers. This CD is a must-hear if you have or are planning on having children!