Did the Founding Fathers Violate Romans 13:1-7 by Rebelling Against the British Empire?

The premise that many colonists were born-again Bible-believing Christians is not entirely accurate. While the Bible did have a significant influence on society, a majority of the American people were not typically described as spiritually awakened due to historical and anecdotal evidence. As President John Adams noted, 'Our Declaration was not the result of infliction of the Spirit, but of much deliberation.'

The Influence of the Bible in Early America

Nevertheless, the Bible did shape many aspects of early American society, especially through education. Many schools included King James Bible verses and other religious texts, making Scripture a part of daily life and thought. However, it is important to recognize that while the Bible was influential, it was not the ultimate authority for most people. The historical record suggests that a substantial portion of the population was not actively practicing Christians.

The Words of Our Founders

Our Founding Fathers held a variety of religious views, reflecting a diverse concern for religious freedom. Even those who considered themselves Christians often rejected certain interpretations and doctrines of Christianity. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, did not believe in the divinity of Christ, as evidenced by his famous quote: “And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter”. This indicates a skepticism towards religious dogma.

Benjamin Franklin and Religious Influence

Benjamin Franklin acknowledged the necessity of religion as a moral guide but questioned its necessity for all individuals. He said:

“Think how great a proportion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inexperienced and inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice to support their virtue and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual. … If men are so wicked as we now see them with religion, what wou'd they be without it”

Franklin's sentiment reflects a pragmatic view that religion serves a social function but is not indispensable to every individual’s moral upbringing.

Thomas Paine: A Skeptic

Thomas Paine, a strong proponent of reason and secularism, was one of the brashest critics of Christianity. His writings, such as The Age of Reason, present a thorough critique of religious belief. Paine argues that religious beliefs have often been fostered by institutions and systems of control. His quotes, such as:

“Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is none more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason, and more contradictory in itself than this thing called Christianity. Too absurd for belief, too impossible to convince, and too inconsistent for practice, it renders the heart torpid, or produces only atheists and fanatics”

and

“It has been the scheme of the Christian church and of all the other invented systems of religion to hold man in ignorance of the Creator, as it is of government to hold him in ignorance of his rights. The systems of the one are as false as those of the other, and are calculated for mutual support. The study of theology as it stands in Christian churches is the study of nothing—it is founded on nothing—it rests on no principles—it proceeds by no authorities—it has no data—it can demonstrate nothing, and admits of no conclusion. Not anything can be studied as a science without our being in possession of the principles upon which it is founded, and as this is not the case with Christian theology, it is therefore the study of nothing.”

highlight his belief that religious institutions are often detrimental to both personal liberty and societal progress. Paine saw the Bible as a product of human invention rather than divine revelation.

Consequences of Constitutional Authority and Romans 13

It is also important to consider Romans 13:1-7, which states: “There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

When the Founding Fathers rebelled, they did so under the justification that the British government was oppressive and unjust. They believed they were altering their circumstances, not violating divinely ordained authority. Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence explicitly states the basis for their separation from Britain:

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.

This statement reflects a belief in inherent human rights granted by the Creator, which are not to be violated by any government. It is argued that when oppressive actions occur, rebellion can be seen as a necessary civic duty, as justified in cases like the American Revolution.

The Bible, in many places, supports the concept of armed revolt for justice, such as the reforms led by Jehoiada the priest in 2nd Chronicles 23. It also includes passages like Exodus 22:2, which implies self-defense: “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck such that he dies, there will be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguilt for him”.

In conclusion, the Founding Fathers, while influenced by Christian thought, were also guided by moral philosophies that transcended religious doctrine. Their actions during the American Revolution were seen as a necessary defense of their rights and a response to unjust governance, aligning more with a secular reading of civic duty than a strict interpretation of Romans 13.