Course Descriptions
Notice of Event Cancellation: Due to the overwhelming response to our Jamestown Quadricentennial celebration, we will be unable to hold the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy this year. We regret that we had to cancel this important conference. By God’s grace, we hope to host it once again in 2008.
Wednesday
8:30 a.m.
Symposium on The Christian Foundations of Western Law
Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
In this message, Doug Phillips examines the biblical origin of the western legal tradition. From the foundations of the Common Law in the garden of Eden, to the Decalogue of Moses, to the Code of Justinian, to the Dooms of Ethelbert, to the Code of King Alfred; from the covenantal laws established in the Magna Charta, the writings of Sir Edward Coke, and the works of Bracton; all the way to the remarkable influence of John Calvin and the great reformation: Whether you are an attorney, pastor, or father (or hope to be one in the future) this panoramic overview of Christianity and the Common Law is simply indispensable for all those who seek to be leaders in the gates.
1:30 p.m.
Covenant as the Foundation of Law and Liberty: The Political Theory of John Witherspoon
Dr. Roger Shultz
America’s legacy of law and liberty is rooted in the biblical doctrine of the covenant. The great reformers bequeathed to the generation of the American founding fathers an intellectual, theological legacy rooted in concepts of covenant. No American teacher or proponent of covenantal political theology had a greater influence on the founding fathers of the United States than John Witherspoon, President of the College of New Jersey, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and author of some of the most important sermons and books of his generation. Uniquely qualified to the task, Dr. Roger Schultz, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University, is one of the foremost experts in American religious history and worldview education.
3:00 p.m.
A Survey of Biblical Law in Jamestown and Plymouth
Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
The year 2007 marks the quadricentennial anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the birthday of America. There are both notable distinctions and similarities between the legal systems of Jamestown and Plymouth: Both communities bequeathed to our nation principles of freedom, representative government, biblical law, and self government which would ultimately define the governmental structure of these United States. In this message, Doug Phillips examines the theological and biblical foundations of the legal systems of both of these uniquely significant, providential communities.
4:15 p.m.
A Survey of the Most Important Literature of Freedom
Dan Ford
7:30 p.m.
Keynote: Righteous Judicial Decision-making in the Real World
Justice Tom Parker and Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
In this keynote address, students will have a rare opportunity to learn from a sitting Supreme Court Justice who has distinguished himself for his principled and Christ honoring jurisprudence from the bench. Several important past cases will be considered and there will also be an opportunity for open dialog on the true meaning of Christianity in the courts.
Thursday
8:30 a.m.
Christianity and the Constitution, Part I
Col. John Eidsmoe
In this three part lecture Col. John Eidsmoe; Professor of Constitutional Law at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, noted author of ten scholarly books, Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and recipient of degrees in theology, law, and political science, draws from more than three decades of research and writing on the historic case for the United States Constitution which demands limited civil government, restrained federal powers, and a nation where civil magistrates bow in their unqualified acknowledgement of the God of Christianity as the foundation of law and society. In these unparalleled messages, Col. Eidsmoe will present the Witherspoon student with a comprehensive overview of the United States Constitution.
10:30 a.m.
Christianity and the Constitution, Part II
Col. John Eidsmoe
1:30 p.m.
Christianity and the Constitution, Part III
Col. John Eidsmoe
2:45 p.m.
Symposium on Strategic Areas of Practice and Litigation for Christian Attorneys
An important mission for any Christian interested in the study and practice of law is the wise stewardship of his personal skills and resources to most effectively advance the Kingdom of God. Up to now, precious little attention has been afforded to Christian law students, attorneys, and pastors with respect to identifying the most crucial branches of law for the needs of the church militant in the 21st century. This year, the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy will be examining some of the most strategic legal disciplines in which we hope our students and others will specialize for the glory of God. These disciplines have been selected for their timelines, relevance, and practicality.
Part I. Defamation and the Blogopshere
Joshua Carden and Panel
Part one of this symposium provides an overview of the crisis facing the Christian community presented by defamation and the Internet. There will be a clarifying examination of the application of law to the blog, an assessment of present legal trends and Internet defamation cases, as well as recommendations for intelligent legal theories to be considered for the future. Students will have the opportunity to learn from Christian attorneys who have successfully defended other Christians in defamation law suites and will also be exposed to the key principles of the branch of law solely dedicated to enforcing the Ninth Commandment.
4:00 p.m.
The Common law view of Civil Procedure vs. The Modern view of Civil Procedure
Professor Jeff Tuomala
7:30 p.m.
Keynote: Parental Rights Amendment issue
Michael Farris, Esq.
As President of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, Michael Farris has been a champion in the vanguard of the defense of parents across the United States of America. In this keynote address, Mr. Farris presents his case for a parental rights amendment to the United States Constitution and answers practical questions concerning the Constitution, timing, and wisdom for such a strategic initiative.
Friday
8:30 a.m.
Symposium on Strategic Areas of Practice and Litigation for Christian Attorneys II: Practical Considerations for Uncompromising Christians in the Practice of Law
An important mission for any Christian interested in the study and practice of law is the wise stewardship of his personal skills and resources to most effectively advance the kingdom of God. Up to now, precious little attention has been afforded Christian law students, attorneys, and pastors with respect to identifying the most crucial branches of law for the needs of the church militant in the 21st century. This year, the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy will be examining some of the most strategic legal disciplines in which we hope our students and others will specialize for the glory of God. These disciplines have been selected for their timelines, relevance, and practicality.
Part two will include such important considerations as, high priority practice, parental rights, family business assistance, intellectual property, defense of local churches, constitutional specialties, medical freedom, and defense of life issues.
10:30 a.m.
Biblical Law, Ethics and Public Policy for Lawyers
Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
This symposium examines the controversies surrounding biblical law, natural law, and positive law— each system with its own implications for ethics and public policy. Doug Phillips makes the case for the continuing relevance of the principles found in the Word of God to law and public policy. Students are presented with challenging, but timely ethical problems in the field of bio medical ethics, civil law, and other areas, and asked to use biblical analyses to make a case for the best manner in which to solve these difficult questions. Historically these lectures have not only been challenging to the Witherspoon students, but also great fun as well.
1:15 p.m.
Biblical Law, Ethics and Public Policy for Lawyers, Part II
Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
2:30 p.m.
Defending the First Amendment
TBA
4:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion Symposium on Key Public Policy Issues for Christians
TBA
8:00 p.m.
Keynote: Christianity and the Courts
TBA
Saturday
8:30 a.m.
TBA
9:45 a.m.
Christian Legal Education in 1800 and the Dawn of a New Millennium
Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
Legal education always reflects the theology of the culture. American legal education began as a Christian mentorship model rooted in the careful study of the biblical principles of the common law. In the nineteenth century, the Constitution was self consciously hi-jacked by transcendentalists, liberals, and most importantly, evolutionists; all of whom contributed in altering the biblical approach of education to the evolutionary case book method. America has been in the throws of a major crisis in legal instruction ever since. Doug Phillips examines the historical transformation of American legal education and offers thoughts concerning trends and wise options for the American student of law.