I doubt I am the first to raise this but I am curious to read the response. Was the American Revolution/Rebellion an example of breaking the 4th Commandment? As the Small Catechism teaches us - we are to submit to the governing authorities. We are to submit to the governing authorities unless we are forced to break God's Word - then we obey God rather than men. Perhaps that is a rather basic summary - but I think it suffices for now.
So that being the case - what was it that prompted the American Revolution/Rebellion? What was it that pained the consciences of the Americans to the point where they felt they were being forced to contradict God's Word by submitting to the Crown? From what did they seek independence? From what sin did they flee?
Furthermore, I wonder, what of those who remained loyal to the Crown? Were they in some sense obeying man rather than God? Would that have been an argument at the time? What did Lutherans from around the world make of the Revolution/Rebellion at the time?
Enquiring, and historically ignorant, minds want to know.
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Yes. "Long live our gracious Queen!" Hey, I'm from Virginia and my ancestors fought on the losing sides of both Rebellion against Our Lawful Monarch and the Utterly Unwarranted War of Northern Aggression. ;)
Wil,
OK - so if the American Revolution/Rebellion was indeed rebellion against teh lawful monarch - how can one celebrate July 4th? Should not one repent on July 4th for breaking the 4th Commandment and seek to come under the Crown?
Ah, but the stream flows on. How is the UK of today the England of then? How is the USA of today the Colonies that rebelled? It seems that the streams, both of them, came to peace with running separately. A messy answer, but it's akin to the fellow who is angst over his first divorce and yet has married again. You certainly don't suggest he divorce the second wife, but you can encourage some real contemplation and repentance about the past...
Wil,
Fair enough, but.....
Not many divorced men hold a great big celebration with firewors and song recounting the divorce.
Is it not true that July 4th is an annual celebration of a sin - that of rebelling against the lawful government? Is this something in which a nation ought to take pride?
I am not really trying to argue a point - I am just curious how Christian Americans deal with it. There is a difference I think in saying "What's done is done" and saying - "Wow, isn't it great that it happened?!"
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