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(Posted by Kirsten)

What the Bible says about submission to authority:

Romans 13 states that: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. he authorities that exist have been established by God. He who rebels against the authority is rebelling gainst that which God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves...Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes. If revenue, pay revenue. If honor, give honor. 

1 Peter 3:13-17...Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to the emperor (King, or Caesar), or to the governors. For it is God's will and intention that by doing right, you would silence the ignorant charges and critisisms of foolish people. Live as free people, without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness. Live at all times as servants of God. Show respect for all men. Revere God. Honor the emperor.

Galatians 5:19-21. The works of the flesh are clear, which are these: fornication, witchcraft, hatred, murder, heresies, etc., etc., etc., and sedition [see previous post for definition]. I, Paul, warn you that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q-The colonists exhausted all peaceable means, so they had no choice but to go to war.

A- From the very start, the colonists were not peaceable; quite the opposite, in fact. But that's not the point I want to make. Regardless of whether or not the colonists exhausted all reasonable or peaceful means of negotiation, if England was still unwilling to give them independence, according to Romans 13 and 1 Peter 3, they were still under obligation not to rebel, but to submit to their government.

Q-Didn't the colonists have the right to be free?

A- The American colonists enjoyed freedoms and living standards that were almost unequaled anywhere else on earth. Some historians have even argued that the colonists were freer than the Englishmen, since their taxes were much lower.

Q-The colonists were unfairly un-represented in Parliament.

A- Actually, some of the rebel leaders told Benjamin Franklin to "Under no circumatances agree to representation in parliament. Because if they agree and give us representation, everything we suggest in parliament will be voted down because we're in the minority."  Those, of course, were not the actual words, but that was the idea and resoning they gave for their instructions.

The situation could have been handled more tactfully. But in spite of this, the colonists did not have a Biblical release to violently rebel against their government.

Q-King George was acting outside his rights as King and was unfairly taxing the colonists.

A. Even if King George was acting outside his authority or rights as king, the colonists still would not have justification for their rebellion. If we are to take seriously what the Bible says about submission to authority, it is clear that the colonies did not have a right to violently rebel.

Q-What would have given the colonists justification for rebelling?

A-Scripturally, there is no justification for rebeling. There is, however, justification for disobeying. But we're only allowed to disobey when what we're being told to do is against the Word of God. But in disobeying, we have to readily accept the consequences, even if it means being killed for it.

The things the English government wanted the colonists to do were not against the word of God. The colonists disobeyed the government, and when the English government reprimanded the colonies, they violently rebelled. Both of these things go against what the Bible says about submission to authority.