I remember learning about the Revolutionary War as a kid. Like most boys, the old war stories were always interesting. Some I like more than others. The Revolutionary War was my favorite for the longest time, one because it told us who we are, it was a huge part of our identity as a nation, and therefore as a people. The other reason was because a bunch of brave men stood up against injustice and tyranny and fought for freedom. Such a noble thing, a thing that boys are supposed to look to, to emulate.
I am afraid however, I now have a very different view of the Revolutionary War. I still see the colonists fighting against oppression and injustice. But I now see the colonial people as rebellious, having gone against God’s will. There are those who will take very sharply against this position. Usually those people are the ones who pride themselves the most as being Americans. My friends, we are not to find our identity as Americans so much as we are to find it in our heavenly identity. As citizens of heaven, we should not take such pride in being from Texas, or the country, or New York City, or even this great country, America.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, let’s be good Bereans, and actually apply the concepts of Scripture, instead of just nodding our head at it, as if that is all that we are required to do. We are told to obey the authorities of the civil government; unless doing so would be to sin. There is no caveat that I have seen thus far, no exception to the rule. To peacefully protest, to petition and overturn laws, to reform the government is one thing. To outright go to war is rebellion.
And what was the reason we are told as kids? Being taxed (heavily) without being able to vote. This is a matter of sinning against God? This is a ‘just cause’ that falls under the God given mandate to submit to our civil authorities, unless it’s a matter of sin?
Part of me wants to stand up with the Founding Fathers of our country for part of me understands. But I am bound by something higher than a moral code, something higher than justice and liberty. What I must obey is the Maker of Heaven and earth, the Alpha and the Omega; what He has to say is far more important than our pathetic concepts of ‘justice’ and ‘freedom’. Only true justice and freedom is found in following and obeying the One True God.
Disciple's Perspective 
September 23rd, 2013 at 7:14 am
Interresting view. I think you have got the Bible right about revolutions. But then, it also says that slaves should be obidient to their masters in the New Testament. Do you agree whith that statement also?
September 24th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Of course I do, I too am a slave, a slave to Christ. Even if I was a slave to a cruel and wicked master, I should still submit to him or her that the glory and love of God maybe shown; possibly winning people over for Christ’s sake. I take it that you disagree with the most gracious and loving man who penned the chapter of love, 1 Corinthians 13?
September 26th, 2013 at 9:23 am
Yes, I disagree whith the sentiment in 1 Corinthians 13 somewhat, though I think it is a beautifull piece of poetry concerning love. You see, when put into context it is also trying to depict faith as a virtue, but to me, that seems counter intellectual. However, I totally fail to see the connection to the topic. Why do you refer to that?
To me there are no excuses for slavery. Owning a nother human being or even just as advanced mind as ours, as property is immoral and against the free will of that persona. The Bible suggesting anything such does not seem like a metaphor of anything, nor a very effective way of proselytizing, but rather a simple suggestion by people living in a culture where slave ownership was widely seen as acceptable, to people whose natural ethics were questioning the justification for anything such. In addition it is typical end-of-the-world-cult ideology, in that your life serves only as a stepping stone to the next world, but since there is no evidence there existing anything beyond the weil of death, that is a dangerous and wastefull notion. All this obviously reminds us that the Bible is merely a period piece and a product of a particular human culture. Namely the Roman empire.
Whithout rebellions there rarely is any social movement for a better society and through revolutions, albeit some of them have caused a lot of havoc, we have come such a long way from the primitive societies. Or at least some of us have. Even failed revolutions may bring society forward by reminding the powers that be, that the people will not take abuse for ever.
September 29th, 2013 at 2:55 am
“Since the publication of Scripture, age after age agreed to obey its steadfastly and harmoniously. By countless wondrous means Satan with the whole world has tried to either oppress it or overturn it, to obscure and obliterate it utterly from the memory of men–yet, like the palm, it has risen ever higher and has remained unassailable. Indeed, there has scarcely ever been either a sophist or rhetorician of superior ability who did not try his power against it; yet all were unsuccessful. Such facts as these should be accounted of no slight importance. The whole power of the earth has armed itself to destroy it, yet all these efforts have gone up in smoke. How could it, assailed so strongly from every side, have resisted if it had relied upon human protection alone? Rather, by this very fact it is proved to be from God…”
–John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, pg 91-92.
September 30th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Interresting quote. However, if you change the word Bible into Quran, or Mahabharata, this quote from John Calvin has all the same power as whith the word Bible in it. And you must admit, that the interpritations of the Bible are as numerous as the gods of the Veda.
Whose interpretation is right and how is it possible, that people in sincere faith may get the word of an all capable creator entity wrong? Is likelier, that the entity is unable to communicate to us clearly, or unwilling to do so, or that it is just an imaginary concept? There are a lot of gods that are imaginary concepts are there not? What evidence do you have, that yours is any different from them?
Is it not right for the oppressed to raise against oppression? If a god claims (in some ancient scripture), that it is wrong, does that not mean, that such a god is a) immoral, or b) imaginary? Does such a command not invite oppression by the rulers? Does it not directly lead to unnecessary suffering of many?
October 1st, 2013 at 2:01 pm
“It is therefore no small proof of the authority of Scripture, that it was sealed with the blood of so many witnesses, especially when it is considered that in bearing testimony to the faith, they met death not with fanatical enthusiasm (as erring spirits are sometimes wont to do), but with a firm and constant, yet sober godly zeal. There are other reasons, neither few nor feeble, by which the dignity and majesty of
the Scriptures may be not only proved to the pious, but also completely vindicated against the cavils of slanderers. These, however, cannot of themselves produce a firm faith in Scripture until our heavenly Father manifest his presence in it,…..
….But it is foolish to attempt to prove to infidels that the Scripture is the Word of God. This it cannot be known to be, except by faith. Justly, therefore, does Augustine remind us, that every man who would have any understanding in such high matters must previously possess piety and mental peace.”
Calvin, Institutes I.8.13
October 1st, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Whith whom am I discussing? You Masondan, or John Calvin?
How do you or Calvin for that matter, know how the martyrs of your particular faith died? And how does the emotional expression of a dying person confirm the truth value of his beliefs? I have seen photographs of Finnish communists being executed during our civil war and read the descriptions of the events by their enemies and bystanders who said, that by far most of them were totally calm in the face of death. Does that prove communism is true?
What are you (or Calvin) saying? That to believe in your particular god requires first, that you abandon reason and make a conscious choise to believe in a particular mythology to be true whithout any good reason, and only then will the faith seem reasonable? I guess that works, but to what ever end? Is that not totally illogical and does that same not apply to any faith based belief including all the other religions?
September 23rd, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Although I love my country (at least as our Founding Fathers conceived it), I have also come to this conclusion over time, Dan. Except insofar as freedom to preach the gospel was at stake, I don’t think going to war against their king was the biblical response. But then, I also don’t think this was ever in any sense a “Christian” nation, although many Christians played a part in its birth.
October 8th, 2013 at 6:26 am
I must admit this is one of the best posts I’ve read knowing that it comes from a vet. I’n no US citizen according to earthly standards. Only similar doctrines I received as a child but my perception have change with time. I now always see myself as simply a human being & not an alien as they want us look down at each other with psychological wars of identity, nations etc. They cause hatred towards each other & we blindly follow their scheme just to find out that we just destroying YH’s divine creatures. We were fashioned in HIS own image yet, we’ve let the evil spirit to keep dragging us to our graves till date. So, I now get it when Christ says the end shall be like in the days of NOAH. Yes, indeed, human wickedness as quadruppled manifold & it’s about to explode. Yet the prophecy must be completed before the end comes. We should be Still & know HE is indeed in control.
Thanks for sharing.
shalom!