With the battle over marriage taking place in Alabama's courts, I thought that it would be a good idea to remind everyone of the view of marriage that was foundational to our nation. This view is conveyed very clearly in James Wilson's Lectures on the Law. Wilson was one of the most influential of our founding fathers. He was one of only six men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and he was one of the six original Supreme Court justices. Wilson's Lectures on the Law give us an unprecedented view of the legal foundation on which our nation was established. With this in mind, it is my opinion that Wilson's statements on marriage should carry tremendous weight in any decision regarding that institution today Here are a few excerpts about marriage from James Wilson's Lectures on the Law:
And in addition to these, Wilson also left a word of great encouragement for those who would fight in defense of marriage in the future. You see, our current battle over marriage is just one battle in a war that has been waged over the course of several millennia. In the past, there have been times when the fate of marriage has looked very bleak, but Wilson noted in his Lectures that: “By the precepts of christianity, and the practice of the christians, the dignity of marriage was, however, restored.” It is my prayer that our children will one day be able to say the same thing about us.
3 Comments
Paul S
2/19/2015 12:46:01 am
thanks for this article!
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Ricky C.
9/2/2019 04:08:10 pm
When I read the reverent wisdom and genuine perspective of the institution of marriage from men of integrity's past like James Wilson, I am proud and yet humbled to be an American citizen - and moreso a citizen of the God of heaven who has bestowed such blessings upon our Union starting with men of renown of our great United States of America!
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Bill Fortenberry is a Christian philosopher and historian in Birmingham, AL. Bill's work has been cited in several legal journals, and he has appeared as a guest on shows including The Dr. Gina Show, The Michael Hart Show, and Real Science Radio.
Contact Us if you would like to schedule Bill to speak to your church, group, or club. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 9:9)
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