NOW CHURCHES REVISING AMERICAN HISTORY?~CLAIMS OF AN UNBIBLICAL “REVOLUTION” GOING UNREFUTED UNTIL NOW
In their book, “The Revolution Myth” Gene Fisher and Glen Chambers explain why, according to facts uncovered by their research, the American War of Independence was not a revolution. The following statement, from the book’s preface, tells us why this book is both unique and necessary if we are to understand the history of our country.
THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT
In trying to understand the situation that existed prior to the Declaration of Independence, it would be a mistake to assume that the American colonies were provinces ruled by the king. Instead, each colony had its own government, and that government was the legal authority within its borders. In fact, as each colony was set up its founders were given a charter granting them, “full executive, legislative, and judicial authority. Parliament was not involved and the king had only restraining power. The Rhode Island and Connecticut Charters did not even involve the king. They were contracts between the people and God, establishing independent governments based upon God’s Word.” (Page 2)
Since George the Third (At the time of his coronation in 1760) felt that his father and grandfather had given over too much power to Parliament, he was determined to regain that power. As a result, his quest for power affected all of his dealings with the colonies, while Americans were outraged by what they viewed as an attempt on the part of the king to ignore the rule of law and usurp control of their affairs.
ENGLISH LAW
Another key factor in understanding the position of the colonies has to do with the role of the king as established by English law. That role was defined when King James II allied himself with the king of France, and made plans to invade England – in order to assert his power over Parliament and impose the Catholic religion on England. At that time, Parliament held that the king had, by such action, abdicated his role as the protector of the English people. As a result of that decision, on February 13, 1689 – shortly after William and Mary had succeeded James II – Parliament presented a declaration of rights (the English Bill of Rights) which was enacted into law on December 16, 1689. The following statement, taken from that declaration of rights, reflects Parliament’s position that the people owe the king their allegiance because he is their protector, and cease to owe him that allegiance if he ceases to be their protector. “Whereas the said late king James the Second having abdicated the government, and the throne being thereby vacant…” (Page 98)
In regard to that aspect of English law, Boston Judge, Edmund Quincy made the following statement. “I think that the member of the House of Commons, who, in a ludicrous manner, inquired at ‘what time the Americans were emancipated,’ might have saved himself the trouble by looking into Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries [on Magna Carta] Volume 1, page 223, upon the duties of kings; where he would have found it to be a maxim of common law, that when protection ceaseth, allegiance ceaseth to be the duty of the subject.” (From a letter to John Hancock 3/25/1776) (Page 73)
KING GEORGE’S ABDICATION
During the years prior to the War of Independence, the friction between the king and the American Colonies resulted in some civil disobedience [the “Boston tea party” being the best-known example], however, the Colonial governments did not instigate that disobedience and were not responsible for it. Instead, the Colonial governments were always respectful in dealing with the king, and made several attempts to resolve the differences peaceably – the last such attempt [known as the “Olive Branch Petition”] being sent to the king on July fifth 1775.
In that petition, the Colonial representatives affirm their allegiance, show no evidence of any desire to rebel, and make every effort to settle the differences peaceably. However, the king reacted to that petition in anger, and called for legislation to bring the American Colonies in line. A draft of the requested legislation (known as the Prohibitory Act) was presented to Parliament on November 20, 1775, adopted before the end of the year, and was to go into effect on January first 1776. That Act contained the following quote. “All ships and vessels of or belonging to the inhabitants of the said colonies, together with their cargoes, apparel, and furniture, which shall be found trading in any port or place of the said colonies, or going to trade, or coming from trading, in any such port or place, shall become forfeited to his Majesty, as if the same were the ships and effects of open enemies, and shall be so adjudged, deemed and taken.” (Page 113)
AMERICA’S REACTION
While news of the Prohibitory Act did not arrive in America until late in February 1776, colonial leaders immediately realized that, by declaring war on American shipping, the king had abdicated his role as the protector of the American people.
Therefore, on April 23, 1776, after reviewing the charges against George III, Judge William Henry Drayton, Chief Justice of South Carolina, decided “that the law of the land authorized him to declare, that George the Third, king of Great Britain, had abdicated the government; and that the throne was thereby vacant.” (Pages 69-70)
The Preamble to the Virginia Constitution [adopted June 29, 1776] begins with the words, “Whereas George the Third” and ends with the statement, “and finally by abandoning the helm of government, and declaring us out of his allegiance and protection. By which several acts of misrule, the government of this country, as formerly exercised under the crown of Great Britain, is totally dissolved.” (Pages 119- 120)
The Declaration of Independence says of George III, “He has abdicated Government here by declaring us out of his Protection and urging War against us.” (Page 123)
“The Declaration [of Independence], therefore, in the name of thirteen unanimous states, proclaims that the monarch who had been obeyed, loved, and honored by them had removed himself from office. George had violated the compact between sovereign and subject just as James II had done, an action for which Parliament had dethroned James in 1688.” (Page 59)
CONCLUSION
Once the facts are known it becomes obvious that it was the king, not the Colonial governments, who attempted to overthrow the rule of law.
A review of, “the Revolution Myth” published 1981, by Bob Jones University Press
It was only once King George III started down the path of violent suppression, the Founders announced their intent to separate from Great Britain. They wrote at length that they were involved in self-defense, which they rightly believed was biblically acceptable. British troops fired the first shot in every confrontation leading up to the Revolutionary War—the Massacre of 1770, the bombing of Boston in 1774, and the Lexington and Concord engagements of 1775. In addition, as Dr. Marshall Foster of the Mayflower Institute has noted, there were settlers living in America for well over one hundred years that had nothing to do with the British colonies and King George’s claim to governmental authority over them.
Unless you are an extreme thoroughgoing pacifist, there is no basis for saying the Founders sinned in defending themselves against King George’s troops and their terrorist tactics against the colonists. Biblically, there is merit for a just war, and for just civil political disobedience. The Founders’ fight was not a “military insurrection.” Our early leaders took seriously their standing before God and believed He could bless a war of defense, but not a war of offense. They fought to protect their own lives and those of their family and friends.
Was the American Revolution a violation of Romans 13:1-7?
BOOK: “Christians in the American Revolution”
The American Revolution:
Was it an Act of Biblical Rebellion?
by David Barton
People have mistakenly linked democracy and political freedom to Christianity. That’s why many contemporary evangelicals believe the American Revolution was completely justified, both politically and scripturally. They follow the arguments of the Declaration of Independence, which declares that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are Divinely endowed rights. . . . But such a position is contrary to the clear teachings and commands of Romans 13:1-7. So the United States was actually born out of a violation of New Testament principles, and any blessings God has bestowed on America have come in spite of that disobedience by the Founding Fathers. 1
The Colonists’ act of rebellion flies in the face of [Romans 13:1,2]. Did they overlook this verse? No, these were not men ignorant of Scripture. In fact, they used Scripture to support their cause in the most devious of ways. The deception that prevailed during this period of history was immense. God and Scripture was the vehicle of mobilization that unified the cause, gave it credence, and allowed the Deist leaders at the top to move the masses toward rebellion. Scripture was the Forefathers’ most useful tool of propaganda. 2
Deistic and Unitarian tendencies in regards to religion. . . . were of such strength that even orthodox Christians were swept up into rebellion against their governing authorities. . . . Those Christians who supported physical resistance against the tyranny of Britain generally turned to Enlightenment rhetoric for validation, propped up by poor exegesis and application of the Bible.
Has it [government] any solid foundation? – any chief cornerstone. . . ? I think it has an everlasting foundation in the unchangeable will of God. . . . Government. . . . is by no means an arbitrary thing depending merely on compact or human will for its existence. . . . There can be no prescription old enough to supersede the law of nature and the grant of God Almighty, Who has given to all men a natural right to be free; and they have it ordinarily in their power to make themselves so if they please….If both those powers are retained in the hands of the many (where nature seems to have placed them originally), the government is a simple democracry, or a government of all over all. . . . [God is] the only monarch in the universe Who has a clear and indisputable right to absolute power because He is the only one Who is omniscient as well as omnipotent. 11
Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness. . . . We claim them from a higher source – from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. They are created in us by the decrees of Providence, which establish the laws of our nature. They are born with us, exist with us, and cannot be taken from us by any human power without taking our lives. 12
The Rights of the Colonists as Christians. . . . may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament. 13
Inasmuch as all rulers are in fact the servants of the public and appointed for no other purpose than to be “a terror to evil-doers and a praise to them that do well” [c.f., Rom. 13:3], whenever this Divine order is inverted – whenever these rulers abuse their sacred trust by unrighteous attempts to injure, oppress, and enslave those very persons from whom alone, under God, their power is derived – does not humanity, does not reason, does not Scripture, call upon the man, the citizen, the Christian of such a community to “stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ….hath made them free!” [Galatians 5:1] The Apostle enjoins us to “submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,” but surely a submission to the unrighteous ordinances of unrighteous men, cannot be “for the Lord’s sake,” for “He loveth righteousness and His countenance beholds the things that are just.” 14
[T]here was no anarchy. . . . [T]he people of the North American union and of its constituent states were associated bodies of civilized men and Christians in a state of nature but not of anarchy. They were bound by the laws of God (which they all) and by the laws of the Gospel (which they nearly all) acknowledged as the rules of their conduct. 15(emphasis added)
Q. It has often been said, that America is in a state of rebellion. Tell me, therefore, what is Rebellion? A. It is when a great number of people, headed by one or more factious leaders, aim at deposing their lawful prince without any just cause of complaint in order to place another on his throne.Q. Is this the case of the Americans? A. Far otherwise. 16
Q. What is war?
A. The curse of mankind; the mother of famine and pestilence; the source of complicated miseries; and the undistinguishing destroyer of the human species.Q. How is war divided?
A. Into offensive and defensive.Q. What is the general object of an offensive war? . . .
A. [F]or the most part, it is undertaken to gratify the ambition of a prince, who wishes to subject to his arbitrary will a people whom God created free, and to gain an uncontrolled dominion over their rights and property. . . .Q. What is defensive war?
A. It is to take up arms in opposition to the invasions of usurped power and bravely suffer present hardships and encounter present dangers, to secure the rights of humanity and the blessings of freedom to generations yet unborn.Q. Is even defensive war justifiable in a religious view?
A. The foundation of war is laid in the wickedness of mankind . . . . God has given man wit to contrive, power to execute, and freedom of will to direct his conduct. It cannot be but that some, from a depravity of will, will abuse these privileges and exert these powers to the injury of others; and the oppressed would have no safety nor redress but by exerting the same powers in their defense and it is our duty to set a proper value upon and defend to the utmost our just rights and the blessings of life, otherwise a few miscreants [unprincipled individuals] would tyrannize over the rest of mankind, and make the passive multitude the slaves of their power. Thus it is that defensive is not only justifiable but an indispensable duty.Q. Is it upon these principles that the people of America are resisting the arms of Great Britain, and opposing force with force?
A. Strictly so. . . . And may Heaven prosper their virtuous undertaking! 21
The defense of one’s self . . . is not, nor can it be, abrogated by any regulation of municipal law. This principle of defense is not confined merely to the person; it extends to the liberty and the property of a man. It is not confined merely to his own person; it extends to the persons of all those to whom he bears a peculiar relation – of his wife, of his parent, of his child. . . . As a man is justified in defending, so he is justified in retaking his property. . . . Man does not exist for the sake of government, but government is instituted for the sake of man. 22
We, therefore, the Congress of the United States of America, do solemnly declare and proclaim that. . . . [w]e appeal to the God Who searcheth the hearts of men for the rectitude of our intentions; and in His holy presence declare that, as we are not moved by any light or hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through every possible change of fortune we will adhere to this our determination. 24
There is One above us Who will take exemplary vengeance for every insult upon His majesty. You know that the cause of America is just. You know that she contends for that freedom to which all men are entitled – that she contends against oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity. The blood of the innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to decide between you and us. And we pray that, in the doubtful scale of battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that the merciful Savior of the world may forgive our oppressors. 25
We finally beg leave to assert that the first planters of these colonies were pious Christians – were faithful [British] subjects who, with a fortitude and perseverance little known and less considered, settled these wild countries by God’s goodness and their own amazing labors [and] thereby added a most valuable dependence to the crown of Great-Britain; were ever dutifully subservient to her interests; so taught their children that not one has been disaffected to this day but all have honestly obeyed every royal command and cheerfully submitted to every constitutional law; . . . have carefully avoided every offensive measure . . . have never been troublesome or expensive to the mother country; have kept due order and supported a regular government; have maintained peace and practiced Christianity; and in all conditions and in every relation have demeaned themselves as loyal, as dutiful, and as faithful subjects ought; and that no kingdom or state hath, or ever had, colonies more quiet, more obedient, or more profitable than these have ever been. 26
On the part of America, there was not the most distant thought of subverting the government or of hurting the interest of the people of Great Britain, but of defending their own privileges from unjust encroachment; there was not the least desire of withdrawing their allegiance from the common sovereign [King George III] till it became absolutely necessary – and indeed, it was his own choice. 27
Sir Richard Sutton read a copy of a letter relative to the government of America from a [Crown-appointed] governor in America to the Board of Trade [in Great Britain] showing that. . . . If you ask an American, “Who is his master?” He will tell you he has none – nor any governor but Jesus Christ.28
1. Dr. John MacArthur, see his declaration that “The truth is, the United States was born out of a violation of Romans 13:1-7,” from “The Christian and Government: The Christian’s Responsibility to Government – Part 1” (at: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg45-97.htm).(Return)
2. Albert Soto, “The American Revolution Rebellion” A True Church(Return)
3. For example, see Dr. Jack Arnold, “Dare You Resist Your Government? Romans 13: 2-4” (at:http://reformedperspectives.org/newfiles/jac_arnold/NT.Arnold.Rom.59.html#F1A), originally published in IIIM [Third Millennium] Magazine Online, April 16-April 22, 2001, Vol. 3, No. 16 (Dr. Arnold is Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian in Orlando, CA, and established “Equipping Pastors International” in 1997); and Dr. John Brug, “The Christian’s Dual Citizenship: Concerning the American Revolution” (at:http://www.wlsessays.net/files/BrugCitizenship.rtf) (Dr. Brug is Professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary); and Pastor Robert L. Deffinbaugh, “Was the American Revolution Biblically Supported?” (at:http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=6084) (Pastor Deffinbaugh is at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas); etc.(Return)
4. John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Henry Beveridge, translator (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845, the first English translation by Thomas Norton was published in London: 1561, the original Latin version was published in 1536), Book 4, Chapter 20: Of Civil Government (at: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.vi.xxi.html).(Return)
5. Martin Luther, Temporal Authority: To What Extent Should it be Obeyed? (1523), (at:http://www.uoregon.edu/~sshoemak/323/texts/luther~1.htm).(Return)
6. Americanized Encyclopedia Britannica (Chicago: Belford-Clarke Co., 1890), pp. 6456-6457, s.v. “Huldreich Zwingli.”(Return)
7. John Harty, The Catholic Encyclopedia. (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912), “Tyrannicide” (at:http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15108a.htm); see also Rev. John C. Rager, “Catholic Sources and the Declaration of Independence,” The Catholic Mind, Vol. XXVIII, No. 13, July 8, 1930 (at:http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/politics/pg0003.html).(Return)
8. J. M. Mathews, The Bible and Civil Government, in a Course of Lectures (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1851), p. 231.(Return)
9. John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America (Philadelphia: William Young, 1797), Vol. III, pp. 210-211.(Return)
10.See, for example, numerous sermons cited in Alice M. Baldwin, The New England Clergy and the American Revolution (New York: Frederick Ungar, 1958), pp. 22-23, 26, 27-28, 34-37, 65-68, 86-87, 89-95,101-104, as well as sermons by Jonathan Mayhew, A Discourse Concerning the Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers(Boston: 1750), pp. 37-41, Jonathan Ellis, The Justice of the Present War against the French in America, and the Principles that Should Influence us in the Undertaking Asserted: A Sermon Preached to the Soldiers, Sept 22, A.D. 1755. from I Sam. Xviii. 17 (Newport: J. Franklin, 1755), John A. Lidenius, The Lawfulness of Defensive War. A Sermon Preached before the Members of the Church; at Chiechester, in the County of Chester, and Province of Pennsylvania, upon their Association for Defense, February 14, 1756 (Philadelphia: James Chattin, 1756), etc.(Return)
11.James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved(Boston: J. Williams 1766), pp. 11, 13, 16-18, (Return)
12.John Dickinson, The Political Writings of John Dickinson (Wilmington: Bonsal and Niles, 1801), Vol. I, p. 111. (Return)
13. Samuel Adams, The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. I, p. 504. (Return)
14.Jacob Duche, The Duty of Standing Fast in our Spiritual and Temporal Liberties, A Sermon Preached in Christ Church, July 7, 1775. Before the First Battalion of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: James Humphreys, Jr., 1775), pp. 13-14. (Return)
15.John Quincy Adams, An Address Delivered at the Request of the Committee of Arrangements for the Celebrating the Anniversary of Independence at the City of Washington on the Fourth of July 1821 upon the Occasion of Reading The Declaration of Independence (Cambridge: Hilliard and Metcalf, 1821), p. 28. (Return)
16.Francis Hopkinson, The Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. I, pp. 115-116. (Return)
17.John Adams, Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1841), Vol. I, p. 152, letter to Abigail Adams, August 14, 1776. (Return)
18.Jonathan Mayhew, A Discourse Concerning the Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers (New York: Arno Press & The New York Times, 1968, originally printed in Boston: 1750), pp. 37-41.(Return)
19.The Rev. Peter Powers, Jesus Christ the true King and Head of Government; A Sermon Preached before the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, on the Day of Their First Election, March 12, 1778 at Windsor (Newbury-Port: Printed by John Michael, 1778). (Return)
20.The Rev. Peter Powers, Jesus Christ the true King and Head of Government…..March 12, 1778, p. 18. (Return)
21.Francis Hopkinson, The Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. I, pp. 111-115. (Return)
22.James Wilson, The Works of the Honorable James Wilson, Bird Wilson, editor (Philadelphia: Bronson and Chuncey, 1804), Vol. II, pp. 496-497.(Return)
23.Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts. 1776(Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1984, originally published in Watertown, MA: 1776), Vol. 51, Part III, pp. 196-197, April 29, 1776.(Return)
24.Samuel Adams, Writings, Vol. IV, p. 86, “Manifesto of the Continental Congress” on October 30, 1778. (Return)
25.Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 38, to the Earl of Carlisle and Others on July 16, 1778. (Return)
26.Stephen Hopkins, The Grievances of the American Colonies Candidly Examined, (New York: Research Reprints Inc., 1970, first published London: J. Almon, 1766), pp. 45-48. (Return)
27.John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. IX, p. 250, “The Druid,” Number III. (Return)
28.Hezekiah Niles, Principles and Acts of the Revolution in America(Baltimore: William Ogden Niles, 1822), p. 198. (Return)
JOHN OLINDA, EX OFFICE MANAGER AT LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH,
NEWARK, DELAWARE:
TOBE WITMER OF LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWARK, DELAWARE
WITH WIFE www.lbcde.org
YET, WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO PROMOTE AN
ERRONEOUS, IGNORANT RE-INTERPRETATION OF AMERICAN HISTORY FROM A MODERN, SECULAR POINT OF VIEW, WHICH SECOND GUESSES, MALIGNS AND DISPARAGES THE MOTIVATIONS AND ACTS OF THE FOUNDERS AS BEING STRICTLY DEIST, FORGETTING THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COLONIALISTS WERE INDEED CHRISTIAN.
SUCH AS: JOHN OLINDA TEACHING CLASSES AT
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEWARK, DELAWARE, USING WAYNE GRUDEM’S BOOK “POLITICS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE”. UNFORTUNATELY, OLINDA HAS EITHER NOT DONE HIS HOMEWORK, AND/OR HE HAS PURPOSELY PRESENTED A ONE-SIDED VIEW OF COLONIAL HISTORY BASED ON SCRIPTURES TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT CONFLATED WITH AN INACCURATE, INCOMPLETE NARRATIVE OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
KEEP IN MIND THAT BOTH OLINDA AND HIS PASTOR
ARE GRADUATES OF BOB JONES UNIVERSITY, ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITIES, AND SHOULD KNOW ENOUGH NOT TO TEACH AND/OR FOSTER ERROR. THEY HAVE A SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY AS TEACHERS TO BE AS ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL AS POSSIBLE.
YOUTUBE VIDEOS FROM:
Week One: Five “Incorrect” Views About Christians &Government:
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