1. CONSTIUTIONAL LAW – NATURE OF SOVEREIGNTY

2. What is sovereignty?
Webster’s Dictionary 1828: Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion...”

3. SOVEREIGNTY…. The highest authority
Ability to define the structure of civil society including government
Ability to make law and define culture.

4. THE BIBLICAL CONNECTION TO SOVEREIGNTY
God said to mankind: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Gen. 1:28
Mankind’s sovereignty is divinely delegated, and it encompasses the dominion of all natural resources of the earth.

5. FINDING FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
(ANCIENT ISRAEL)
Where is Genesis 1:28 located in the Florida Constitution?
Click to the Florida Constitution
ANSWER - NEXT SLIDE

6. All political power is inherent in the people.
Florida Constitution
ARTICLE I SECTION 1.
All political power is inherent in the people.

7. How does Florida’s Constitution recognize God’s delegation of public authority to Florida citizens?
ANSWER – NEXT SLIDE

8. PREAMBLE – Florida Constitution
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.

9. Class Discussion
Give examples of divinely delegated sovereign authority? (use FL preamble and Genesis 1:28)
How is sovereignty delegated between God to man, between branches of government, state and federal?
Hint: The answer is at the end of FL’s preamble
Are there limits to the People’s sovereignty?

10. The God Factor “You shall therefore obey Yahweh your God’s voice,
and do his commandments and his statutes,
which I command you today.” Dt. 27:10 (WEB)

11. Class Discussion
What is the sovereignty of God, and what does it encompass? Hint: Psalms 24:1, google Chapter 2 William Blackstone “Commentary on the law of England.”
How does the sovereignty of God affect the sovereignty of the People?
How does the sovereignty of God and the sovereignty of the People work together? Hint: difference between criminal law of the Ten Commandments and civil law of gen. 1:28

12. BUILDING A BETTER CONSTITUTION
You are a citizen of the Republic, and you are asked to write a constitution. You sit down with paper in hand. One of your concerns is the defining the source of public authority. How would you write a clause in your constitution that addresses the issue sovereignty?