Biblical Citizenship in Modern America was created by Rick Green, from Patriot Academy and David Barton from Wallbuilders.  Biblical Citizenship focuses on learning the history of the Christian founding of our nation, and how the Bible was used to form our Constitution.  It underscores to us the importance of our exercising our duty as citizens.   The class is an 8 week course of 90 minute videos.  There is a companion class called Constitution Alive! which goes in depth on studying the Constitution, using the Original Intent of the Founders.  This is a 10 week course of 90 minute videos.  These classes can be taken online through Patriot Academy, or LOCALLY, through various alumni who are offering the courses.  Click HERE for one of those groups, and you can also check We the People’s Upcoming Events for other classes.

One of the first things you learn in the class is that our education has been lacking when it comes to American History.  God has been edited out of the founding of this nation,  and over the years, patriots have been erased completely thanks to President Woodrow Wilson in the 1920s.  There are so many “AHA!” moments in this course that make you realize we have really gone off course from the intentions of the Founding Fathers.  Here are some “AHA!”moments from each week:

Week 1:  There is a large granite monument to our Forefathers, in Plymouth, Massachusetts which tells the story of the faith, principles and ideals of the Pilgrims.  It is hidden in a field, and not advertised in any travel guide.  It is filled with Biblical principles the Pilgrims lived by in the New World.

Week 2:  Genesis 2:5 & 15, Luke 19:13 tell us God created us to “tend His garden (creation)” and to “occupy until He comes.”  The Bible and The Castle Doctrine influenced many of our rights in the Constitution. The average length of a national constitution across world history is 17 years!!!  Next year, we celebrate our 250th!!!! We must have done something right!  

Week 3:  It is possible to know the Original Intent behind all our Founders decisions.  Article 1 Section 5 of the Constitution requires that EVERYTHING SAID ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE BE RECORDED IN A JOURNAL.  It is called the Journal of Record.

Week 4:  The seeds of Liberty are the principles upon which this nation was founded:   There is a Divine Creator; Inalienable Rights come from God (not the government); Government exists to protect inalienable rights; There is a fixed moral law; The consent of the governed; and the people’s right to change their government.  Every right set forth in the Declaration had been preached from the American pulpit prior to 1763. In George Washington’s day, “duty” meant a legally binding contractual obligation. In 1913, the Dictionary defined “duty” as a responsibility or obligation.  Today, we consider “duty” to be a choice – what we ought to do.

Week 5:  Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution contains DO’s for the FEDERAL government.  Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution contains DON’TS for the FEDERAL government.  Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution contains DON’TS for the states. The Founding Fathers believed that NO BUSINESS was too big to FAIL and deserved a bailout.   It’s called the Codfish Bill. 

Week 6:  Executive Orders from the President are ONLY Constitutional if they are executing a law that Congress has passed!!!  The Founding Fathers did NOT choose a Democracy for our country, but a Constitutional Republic.  The Electoral College ensures that we do not become a pure democracy, also known as “mobocracy.” The Judiciary was intended to be the WEAKEST branch of the government.  The three branches are NOT co-equal.  The Legislature is the preeminent, since it is closest to the people.  The Executive is next, and the Judiciary was to be created by the Legislature, and they have the power to replace it when the judges no longer exhibit “good behavior.”  The Founding Fathers did NOT believe in lifetime judicial appointments.

Week 7: The words “separation of church and state” are nowhere to be found in the Constitution.  The phrase appeared in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, where he assured them that government would not “infringe” on their freedom of religion.

Week 8:  Our first responsibility as citizens is to VOTE in EVERY election, Primary and General.   Before we can choose wisely at the polls, we must know the principles  by which to measure the candidates – we need to KNOW the Constitution!    We need to vet our candidates – finding a pool of candidates that follow Jethro’s advice to Moses in Exodus 18:21: ²¹ But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” Make sure our candidate is ethical and believes in the same principles…do not fall for what they say…check what they do.  Citizen involvement impacts the political process – we need to be involved in the campaigns of our chosen candidates:  knocking on doors, making phones calls, contributing to a candidate.  After the election, no matter who wins,  we need to hold them accountable to the principles of the Constitution. Contact them often to express your opinion on their upcoming vote; respectfully let them know you disagree with their vote; and praise them for their actions when they do the right thing. Always encourage your legislators by letting them know YOU ARE PRAYING FOR THEM.    

Let it be impressed on our mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God… If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office the government will soon be corrupted… If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be that the citizens neglect Divine commands and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.

– Noah Webster (1758-1843) Known as the Father of American Scholarship and Education; American Lexicographer. 

Duty is ours… Results are God’s

– John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Sixth President of the United States (1825-1829) US Secretary of State (1817-1825)  Representative for Massachusetts (1834-1848).