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The Majesty of God's Law

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Skousen focuses on the writings that influenced the Founders of the US Constitution, the writings of the Founders themselves and the principles that were used to create the American Republic. It is well researched and well written. About 1/3 of the source material for the Founders was the Bible.

There are a few places where he repeats himself, but it's not significant. It should be noted that while he uses history as a backdrop, this is not a history text, but rather an exploration of the principles of Freedom. Skousen primarily focuses on making the material easy to read, which sometimes results in dropping details he seems to consider a distraction.

Most people are not aware that the Republic referred to by Franklin in his famous quote "a Republic, Madam, if you can keep it," did not last more than about 30 years. The decline of the US started with the introduction of political parties. George Washington was not a member of any political party and did not run for office. He was chosen by representatives and accepted the position. Skousen presents a very readable account of the initial structures of American government and the intrusions that have continued to erode them.

One reviewer has commented that Skousen is overly critical of Alexander Hamilton. Personally, I thought his characterization of Hamilton was very fair. Hamilton supported a monarchy in the US and was a strong supporter of the first central bank. Jefferson opposed the central bank even more strongly than Hamilton supported it, but Washington was more concerned about the national debt and sided with Hamilton. Skousen presents this discussion and the impact on the Constitution. The introduction of central banks in the US was/is a major threat to Freedom. (See the book "The Creature from Jekyll Island") Skousen uses this historical backdrop to discuss the principles of a free market money system, which is critical to preserving freedom, something Jefferson clearly understood.

Anyone who believes in Freedom and desires to understand the principles that support a free people should consider this book a 'must read.'

1. By Divine mandate, all people have certain inalienable rights mainly the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. The sovereignty of a nation is vested in the people. The source of sovereignty is held by the people and when the powers are granted by the people too the rulers, they must be limited in scope. The rulers do not have a God given right to expand their powers beyond the limited scope established by the people meaning no law or taxation creation should occur without representation which is the voice of the people.

2. No Nation can violate the inalienable rights of its people without facing the judgment of God. The principle of freedom is based on liberty. Slavery does not exist except in the minds of those who are slaves. A slave must believe they can be controlled, deprived, and willfully submit too oppression. Slavery is contrary transfers sovereignty of the people too their masters willfully. All people have certain inalienable rights which can never be taken away, unless they willfully inactivate these rights. For example, in many states, slave masters could not kill their slaves. Slaves had a right to life.

3. A sovereign nation should be governed by a written constitution which careful defines separation of power. Foremost in importance is the legislative body creates law. Legislatures are employed by the people through free elections. Free elected representatives represent the interest of the people or voted out next election.

4. The constitution should clearly set forth the fundamental rights of the people. Madison wisely understood the need to enumerate the right of the people in the Bill of Rights. The first eight were written by Madison too protect fundamental rights of the individual: freedom of religion, press, speech, right to own arms, due process of the law, equal protection of the law, a fair trial, protection against self incrimination, habeas corpus, right to counsel, too cross examine their accusers, a speedy trial, a right to a jury when serious charges a filed, reasonable bail, protection against cruel and usual punishment, and narrowly defined interpretation and application of treason. Powers not express granted to the Federal government must be reserved too the States. Central government limitations must be clearly defined.

5. No king should ever rule in America. The legislative body is the only power capable of declaring war. War debts should be paid immediately. War should be defensive and war powers held temporarily. No one person should have the power of a dictator in America.

6. The military must remain subject to the civil authorities. The legislative body has the right and responsibility to review all charges of war crimes and atrocities. The Senate and House of Representatives have the power to start and stop war.

7. The government must allow religion to operate freely among the people. The long term influence of the Puritans allowed the doctrines of the Anglo Saxons too be maintained from the time of William the Conquer, King John, Cromwell, Jefferson. The Puritans represented 2/3 of Parliament: they revoked repress laws, were needed to raise taxes, and had the power to remove an incompetent king. The Puritans transplanted their influence too America and helped establish a free government of America. Freedom of religion was fundamental to the Puritan belief system. The Puritans linked back too the Anglo Saxon birthright. The Anglo Saxons learned Latin and studied the bible and recognized numerous elements of the Law of Mose similar to their own doctrines: such as, local governments of 10 families and 100 families and a representative government. Governments do not have the right to deny the God given right too worship and practice according too their religion.

8. All men are created equal which means equal before God, equal in their rights, and equal before the bar of justice.

9. All mankind were designed by God to be free

10. The central government must never take away from the people the ability too defend themselves

I have not completed reading "The Majesty of God's Law" and in my opinion it is not a book you will want to rush through. It is a book to be read, pondered and savored. As with everything by Skousen, it is well research and laid out in a very logical and educational format. I still think Cleansing of America is his best book (at least that I have read), but I'd say this is his second best - much better than his more famous "5,000 Year Leap" in my opinion.

This book represents a pipedream of Skousen, that somehow we should all be living today under Mosaic law.

The book is filled with some true oddities - such as British Israelism - the belief that the Anglo Saxons were one of the lost tribes of Israel. Skousen then smears St. Augustine of Hippo - blaming him for the division of Christianity. He lambastes Alexander Hamilton - almost to being a criminal.

Skousen's scholarship is poor at best; he will make statements and "support" them with quotes that are out of context or completely wrong.

Some chapters are based almost entirely from a single source; one chapter - on the revolutionary war - is completely without reference (and filled with numerous factual errors.)

Finally, Skousen suggest we may be lucky enough to undergo a "cleansing" that will lead to the loss of numerous lives, and eventually allow the dawning of "God's Law" - and the establishment of an agrarian society. Like it or leave it.

I can not recommend this book.