GOVT 421 Quiz 3

James Madison

Raised Anglican, influenced by Presbyterianism and Princeton theology.

John Witherspoon

Madison's mentor at Princeton, a devout Presbyterian and signer of the Declaration.

Madison's role in religious liberty

Advocate for religious freedom, drafted the Memorial and Remonstrance.

Madison on church-state separation

Favored institutional separation, not removal of religion from public life.

Madison’s view on human nature

Man is sinful, thus government must be limited and checked.

Madison’s contribution to the Constitution

Known as the 'Father of the Constitution,' helped design checks and balances.

Memorial and Remonstrance

Madison's 1785 defense of religious liberty against state-supported religion.

John Witherspoon's influence

Taught Madison Calvinist political theory: depravity of man requires limited government

George Washington

Anglican, regularly attended church, used Christian language in speeches.

Washington’s moral example

Known for personal piety, public morality, and encouragement of religion.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

Emphasized religion and morality as essential for political prosperity.

Washington’s church attendance and habits

Encouraged soldiers to attend worship; took part in communion selectively.

Washington’s religious language

Frequently referenced Providence, the Almighty, and divine guidance.

Washington’s Masonic membership

Member of a Masonic lodge, but saw religion as deeper than fraternal orders.

Providence (Washington's term)

A reference to God's guiding hand in American independence and government.

Washington's support for Christian morality

Saw religion as the foundation for public virtue and civic responsibility.

Imago Dei (Image of God)

All men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights.

Law above the law

Biblical idea of God's law superseding human law.

Consent of the governed

Rooted in covenant theology and biblical covenants (e.g., Moses and Israel).

Separation of powers

Based on biblical view of man's sinful nature; power must be divided.

Rule of Law

Reflects biblical justice, where all (even kings) are under God's law.

Private property rights

Biblically grounded in commandments against theft and coveting.

Due process and witnesses

Mirrored in biblical legal procedures (e.g., multiple witnesses in trials).

Checks and balances

Designed to restrain the sinful tendencies of mankind.

Covenant theology

The idea that political communities are formed under God with mutual responsibilities.

Romans 13 and civil government

Used to justify government authority as ordained by God, yet not unlimited.

Unalienable rights

Rights given by God, not government (e.g., life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Moral law vs. positive law

The Founders valued a higher divine moral law above man-made legal codes.

Checks and balances origin

Derived from the biblical insight that power corrupts; modeled after Isaiah 33:22.

Theism in the Constitution

Though God isn't explicitly named, the structure reflects a biblical worldview.