Was the American Revolution a Biblically-justifiable Revolution?

[billvau]

One can find plenty of justification for rebellion in the Bible and one can find plenty of justification for submitting to authority. What we argue largely depends on what side we're already on.

So, show us the justification for rebellion in the Bible.

[CVShooter]

So, show us the justification for rebellion in the Bible.

For rebellion in general, Jesus was a Messiah. The job of the Messiah was to depose foreign rule and institute a theocracy. Jesus was executed for sedition against the Romans and the priestly authority in Jerusalem. The Romans and the priests didn't misunderstand him or his message one bit. They saw it as clear as ever. It's a pretty clear statement that rebellion against unjust authority is sanctioned by Jesus himself. Sell your cloak & buy a sword, I believe he is quoted as saying.

But neither Jesus nor any of the old testament prophets had anything to say about the British or the American colonists. They didn't care about them. They only cared about God's chosen people, the Jews. So how you interpret that is entirely a creative process. But there is certainly precedent in the Bible for rebelling against the established rule if it is considered unjust or ungodly. Heck, even outright genocide is prescribed at times and even a sacred duty. Scary stuff in there.

However, I'll say that I respect and mostly agree with your position that the American Revolution was not some holy quest for the Kingdom of God on earth. Whatever Jesus thought he was going to do here, his followers took a much softer approach (probably to avoid further persecution and to gain acceptance in the Roman world). Submission to authority was more important to them.

Of course, if one wants to take up arms against their government, they'd do well to remember what happened to Jesus when he started toying with the idea. The same fate likely awaits all who take up arms in rebellion against their government -- martyrdom. Seems reason enough to work with what we have rather than use force.

[CVShooter]

So, show us the justification for rebellion in the Bible.

I'll also add that although I don't necessarily follow your rationale (I don't hold the Bible to be authoritative, inerrant or infallible after all), I have to commend you on taking a such a ballsy position. So many American Christians have their patriotism and their faith so tightly woven that they can't see the difference between the two. Saying that they might be in direct contradiction takes a lot of courage -- especially as a pastor and from the pulpit. So my hat is off to you!

[Sgt. J Beezy]

[TrailerparkTrash]

[Sailormilan2]

I am not sure that I can agree with some of the comments here, especially those saying that Christ taught sedition.
Remember, Christ said to render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's. No where did He preach against paying one's taxes(Mat.22:21), which is one of the major points of the American Revolution.
Furthermore, after Pilate's conversation with Christ, Pilate said he found no fault in Him. If Christ had been teaching "sedition" I am quite sure that Pilate would have said so, and would not have washed his hands of the whole matter. Christ was "blameless" and put to death to keep the Jews happy.
I have been told that the Romans had a habit of forcing someone to carry their burdens for them. Forced work, and that Matt. 5:41 was in reference to that. If they force you to carry their burden for a mile, carry it two. Going along with the turning the cheek and loving your neighbor. That is not "sedition".
Every single so called "Messiah" that arose to lead the Jews against Rome ended up bringing disastrous consequences on the Jews, leading to the final destruction of Jerusalem.

[CitaDeL]

I am not sure that I can agree with some of the comments here, especially those saying that Christ taught sedition.
Remember, Christ said to render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's. No where did He preach against paying one's taxes(Mat.22:21), which is one of the major points of the American Revolution.
Furthermore, after Pilate's conversation with Christ, Pilate said he found no fault in Him. If Christ had been teaching "sedition" I am quite sure that Pilate would have said so, and would not have washed his hands of the whole matter. Christ was "blameless" and put to death to keep the Jews happy.
I have been told that the Romans had a habit of forcing someone to carry their burdens for them. Forced work, and that Matt. 5:41 was in reference to that. If they force you to carry their burden for a mile, carry it two. Going along with the turning the cheek and loving your neighbor. That is not "sedition".
Every single so called "Messiah" that arose to lead the Jews against Rome ended up bringing disastrous consequences on the Jews, leading to the final destruction of Jerusalem.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." Psalms 24:1

Caesar has no possession... he, and everyone who has come to power before, and came to power after is a steward. The parable of the talents is appropriate here... when we get to the wicked servant, what he was given was taken from him and given to the 'good and faithful' servant with five talents, who was faithful in doing God's will.

Who took the talents from the wicked servant? It was those who by circumstance and the authority of God were allowed to overcome the wicked servant.

King George buried God's talent (ie; a people who serve and profit Him) in tyranny and sought to subjugate a nation that would glorify His Name. The colonies were taken from him and handed over to a Nation that would perpetuate His will erecting a righteous and just government that would multiply God's wealth.

[The War Wagon]

George Washington, CHIEF among the Founding Fathers, was a godly & Christian man, who understood full well Roman 13, and the price of rebellion.


Therefore, if the American cause was to have ANY hope at all, he knew he - and the rest of the colonial patriots - BEST be praying harder than the British...

[tsmithson]