Words of Man or Word of God
My friend Dr. Allen Barber recently wrote an excellent article highlighting the false foundations of our allegedly Christian nation. After reading it I thought it might be beneficial to look again at some of the words penned by our founding fathers over 200 years ago.
Many of us who have been brought up to believe that patriotism is equal to and required of true Christianity have held these words in much esteem. Some, including myself have in times past thought these words to be almost on par with Holy Writ.
In recent years, however, as I have studied the Bible for myself, it has become clear that the high minded ideals of the founding fathers had little in common with the word of God. In fact much of their writings and rationalizations for war with
With that in mind I thought it might be instructive if we compared some of the reasons they gave for rebellion against the King with the actual word of God. The Declaration of Independence outlines the specific reasons given for asserting independence. Here are the introductory paragraphs of that document followed by the answers found in the word of God.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of
Now let’s look at their arguments from a scriptural viewpoint.
We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal. ,
Are all men created equal? Isn’t it actually evident that not all are created equal. Isn’t it obvious that some are born to wealth and some to poverty. Some are born healthy while others are born lame. Isn’t it also true that some are born with a high degree of intelligence or physical ability while others display less of these talents? And isn’t it also true that our founding father displayed their own hypocrisy by failing to extend this idea of equality to the slaves that many of them owned?
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2Tim 2:20
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Rom 9:21
that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Does God truly send every person into this world with the absolute right to live life by their own standards and through their own pursuits?
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Rom 9:15
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecc1:2
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:21
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecc 12:13
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
This may be the biggest lie of all. The Bible tells us that all governments derive their powers from God. This is not a small issue. It is in reality the anti-christ spirit speaking through these men, the pride of self rule replacing the rule of God in the life of man. This idea is the foundation of most of our problems today for if governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed then anything and everything is permissible in society as long as the people wish it so.
……….. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom 13:1
……to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Dan 4:17
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
No where in scripture are God’s people given authority to alter or abolish the government under which our sovereign God has placed them. This statement has more in common with Lucifer’s declaration in which he said “ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Is 14:14)
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers……..Rom 13:1
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13:2
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such governnent, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Once again we see the prideful delusions of self determination outside the will of God. Do we as Christians have the right or the duty to throw off the government that God has placed us under?
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will. Prov 21:1
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake Rom 13:5
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Rom 13:7
The truth of the matter is this. We are formed by God for his sovereign purposes and our lives are in his sovereign will. Our duty in life is to submit ourselves wholly to God’s will and not our own. When human governments become oppressive and tyrannical it is because God has allowed it. He allows tyranny and oppression because of our own wicked and rebellious hearts. When we find our government becoming more and more tyrannical we should not seek to overthrow it. We should instead seek repentance before God for the tyranny and oppression within our own hearts. God only gives us the leaders and governments that we deserve. The answer is not rebellion against flesh and blood authorities. Rather we must fight the good fight of faith against the principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness that have entrenched themselves in the high places of our own hearts.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
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Steve Lumbley 2007 www.apostasywatch.com
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