4th of July: Independence from Whom?

Being married to an American is fun. It gives a mischievous foreigner (me) inside info on how to push buttons that launch fiery debates. One such launch sequence is the apparently innocent question about the history of Independence Day. 

The most effective way to throw the bone of contention in way that gets a bite is:

“How is it that the Revolutionary War and declaring independence isn’t a violation of Scriptural command to submit to one’s government?”

It also helps–if stirring the pot is your main goal–to have the verse references handy.

Rom 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

1 Pet 2:13-14 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 

Mark 12:17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. 

 

I have played the Puck on this stage enough times to have heard the excellent arguments which explain the rationale. But those are for a future post.

[Update: my American friend, Jesse Johnson, posted an excellent article to swat down my facetious questions. Check it out Was the American Revolution Sinful?]

Happy Independence Day American brothers and sisters!