Background

William Jennings Bryan, throughout his legal and political career, considered his work to be “applied Christianity.” In today’s world Bryan would not fit easily or comfortably within any man-made political ideology or party. Although he did operate within a specific political party, he was very adamant about advancing causes he believed were Christian-based, ethical, and constitutional. Although few today would strictly adhere to every idea, policy, or law supported by William Jennings Bryan, the policy-making and policy-espousing world can still learn vital lessons from Bryan’s life and work.

Mission/Purpose

The William Jennings Bryan Center for Law and Public Policy (CLPP) seeks to promote thoughtful, logical, constitutional, ethical, and biblical worldview-based analysis and understanding of political, economic, and legal policy issues.

Elaboration of Purpose

CLPP intends to achieve this ambitious mission in a strictly non-partisan fashion, giving paramount attention to what Christian-based ethics/worldview and the Rule of Law (embodied in the American experience in constitutions) would support, rather than any particular individual or organization. The Center seeks to be heard above the din of policy bickering by taking the moral and constitutional high ground.

Means

The tools CLPP will use to accomplish its mission are:
  • Conferences on specific policy topics
  • Major speakers who will address a host of topics and policy process issues
  • Sponsorship of debates and forums
  • Maintenance of a “speakers' bureau,” including but not limited to the Director
  • Publications (short articles, print and/or online newsletters)
  • Student educational activities, including travel to policy-making venues or events, or places historically critical to the development of American and Western ideas or institutions
  • Student internships in policy-making/analyzing venues

CLPP invites policy-makers, policy-analysts, academics, students, clergy, and the general public to participate with us in this adventure.

Contacts and Links