First off, I do believe the founding fathers did a great thing when they wrote up the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Even the Declaration of Independence is admirable and draws on biblical truths. However, the Bible does not condone rebellion against established authorities.
Romans 13:1-2
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Read all of Romans 13 here.
So, does that make the American Revolution wrong in God's sight? Well, I think we can say it was wrong in the same way democratic government is wrong. I mean, it's not God's perfect will, but it's not exactly a bad thing. The French Revolution eventually perpetuated more chaos and bloodshed. But while America's founding fathers drew on biblical principles, Romans 13 is pretty unequivical in its condemnation of insurrection. That's something to think about.
I read Brother Yun's autobiography "The Heavenly Man" last year, in which he disagreed with those Chinese dissidents who call for the overthrow of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. I was shocked when I read that, but then I realized what Yun said was true: God allows the CCP to be in power for a reason. This doesn't make Yun a fan of repressive government, but shows he has faith in God's sovereignty--which is exactly what Paul was saying in Romans 13. The Roman government at that time could be brutal, and was increasingly brutal in the first couple hundred years of Christianity, yet Christians did not resist militarily.
This idea of submission to God's delegated authority has a lot of implications: Does God support "regime change" when it is not a necessity? What about America's support of people's revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine, and that Central Asian country that starts with a "K?" Should Christians violate the law at abortion clinics, such as by blocking entrances? What about when citizens have no representation, such as with the Colonists? What do you do when the written law is contrary to the defacto law? This last situation is happening in China right now, where the government approved constitutional amendments protecting free speech and freedom of religion a few years ago, yet continues to violate the law through media censorship and repression of religious groups.
Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
4 comments:
Does God support "regime change" when it is not a necessity? What about America's support of people's revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine, and that Central Asian country that starts with a "K?"
Yo, ts, are you equating God with America there? God and America both support regime change? I think you lost me there.
And it was Kyrgyzstan, by the way. It's a bitch to spell; the country is so poor they can't even afford any vowels.
Sorry, I forgot to sign the above comment. It's me,
--Dan (in China)
thanks, dan in china, my most faithful (and only) commenter.
sorry my writing was not clear. i meant each of those questions to be preceded with this thought: "so, if God doesn't support rebellion against His delegated authority, then ..."
basically, i meant to point out that christianity and the american idea of fighting against tyranny are actually in opposition. it's a controversial standpoint, and i'm not sure i've thought it out well, but romans 13 is pretty clear: don't fight against your ruler.
Hey, sorry I haven't commented for a while;, it's a pain to check your site since I have to use a proxy.
Yeah, Christianity and fighting wars are actually in opposition. Is that really such a revolutionary idea? Seems pretty obvious to me.
Then again, I haven't lived in the U.S. since before 9/11.
--Dan in China
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