By NathanEdwardPriem
I was reading a Christian site the other day and found an article questioning the morality of the American Revolution.
I am a child of the American Revolution and the theological views of the founders. (Though I believe in miracles unlike Jefferson for example.)
“All in a position of authority are there because of God and must be obeyed no matter what.” is a supremely idiotic interpretation of Romans 13:1-7.
Amusingly this view would mean THE RESISTANCE™ is damned to hell for throwing a giant bitch fit over every single damn thing Trump does (no matter how benign) but…
If you actually read the verses in context (and don’t sniff glue) it clearly speaks to a simple brief admonishment to follow just earthly authority even if it’s pagan not a secret 11th commandment that overrides all common sense.
Scripture is full of examples of disobedience to corrupt authority too numerous to list!
Was Moses not following the Lord’s will by opposing Pharaoh and freeing the Hebrews?
Was The Son against the Father when he took on the Pharisees and Sadducees?
Are we seriously arguing for the Divine Right of Kings?
Those who follow this view would certainly be Caligula’s favorite theologians!
Is the the first born male of the bloodline of the first primitive to carry a sharp stick the rightful ruler of all mankind ordained by Christ himself!?!
Look how many times the throne of England has changed hands, is conquest the parameter with which to judge the favor of God?
If I were to overthrow the government of the United States and declare myself Emperor would I be favored by God with absolute obedience demanded of my subjects for the rightful heirs of my bloodline as long as it ruled under pain of damnation?
Are we reducing God’s will to “The Survival of the Fittest”?
Not to mention authority is a abstract concept and “ruler” doesn’t apply only to governmental authority…
Does this apply to religious authority? Do we have to obey any old heretic who gathers a group?
If you are born under the thrall of a wicked sect must you submit to emotional and physical (even sexual!) abuse?
Does it apply to abusive parents or spouses, rapists, or slave masters who have control over their victims?
Are we seriously arguing that the Epstein’s, Cosby’s, and Weinstein’s of the world are ordained by Christ!?!
Obviously the very idea is bullshit but terrifyingly some people think this way.
Presumably some people who are in a position of authority they wish to abuse…or weird bootlickers.
“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God!” is a fundamental slogan of the American Revolution for good reason.
The Founders didn’t base their revolution on anything less than a deeply reasoned legal, moral, and theological framework designed to guarantee the rights of all Americans.
The article even admitted the whole American Revolution was a force for good and they are committed Protestants but don’t seem to connect the dots…
…well that rant went on longer than expected!
Until then I’m Nathan Edward Priem and that…was something else!