Protestant Reformation: The Foundation of
American War for Independence
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: (Psalm 111:10, KJV)
The Protestant Reformation led by people like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox provided the theological foundation for the American War for Independence. This foundation was built upon by the leaders of the Great Awakening in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. Based on this solid biblical teaching, the colonists came to the following sound conclusions from Holy Scripture:
- A ruler is not above the Law of God, but must be subject to it
- Obedience to civil government is required when that ruler is acting consistent with the power given to him by God Almighty
- The citizens of a country are responsible for holding their civil government accountable for their actions
- Negotiations between the people and the government is to be employed whenever the political leaders have overstepped their jurisdiction
- Resistance against a civil government is necessary and justified when negotiations have not led to restoring biblical boundaries for that government
Based on these conclusions, the American colonists engaged in carrying out what Patrick Henry referred to as a “holy cause of liberty” by engaging in the American War for Independence. Almighty God saw fit to bless those who were seeking to be obedient to His Holy Word and establish a new nation: The United States of America.
Renaissance: Foundation for the French Revolution
Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20, KJV)
The ideas that were supported by the French Revolution have many roots in the Renaissance period of history (which occurred during the 14th through 17th centuries). Rather than being a golden age of increase in the refinement of culture, the period of the Renaissance led to the decline of godly virtues. This cultural degeneration occurred by upholding the following humanistic views:
- Promoting philosophical separation between the sacred and the secular rather than viewing every aspect of life as under God’s authority
- Removing God from education
- Favoring human worldly philosophy over biblical Christianity
- Glorifying the individual above God
- Worshiping human achievement
These principles were exemplified in the man-centered philosophy that undergirded the French Revolution, which was characterized by the belief that human effort can establish a utopian state. The Lord God Omnipotent showed His hand in opposition to this worldview by thwarting the cause of the French and giving them the just reward of oppression by ushering in Napoleon as their dictatorial leader.
Napoleon is reported to have seized the crown from the Pope at his coronation and placed it on his own head. A good illustration of “glorifying the individual!”
1 comment:
Yes. Holy cause of liberty. Four words never heard in Revolution France.
By the way, it's interesting how deeply rooted the American cause of Independence is in the history of Scotland.
The Scottish freedom fighters of Wallace and Bruce's day, and the Covenanters as well (and perhaps even more so), had a terrific impact upon American political and governmental views.
According to historian Mr. Bill Potter, around 40% of the Continental army was Scots or Scots-Irish in descent (the Scots-Irish were essentially Scots who formerly lived in Ireland.)
Buaidh no Bas,
Andrew Romanowitz
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