In Congress
At the close of the Fourth of July, I am reflecting on what this holiday has become, and what has happened in this world.
Today, on the website Vox, it was opined that perhaps the American Revolution had been a mistake. The writer offers many for instances, and overall makes this point. Let me offer another opinion.
The colonies were settled by those seeking religious independence. The pilgrims sought freedom from the Church of England. They did not have the political influence of the Puritans, who ultimately also sought freedom from the oppressive church. Maryland was settled as a refuge for Catholics, who were also persecuted by the church. Others were settled, of course as financial investments by those seeking the raw materials that the land offered. When the Constitution was drawn up, and approved, those writers insisted that when the Bill of Rights was added (not to "add" rights, but to enumerate them. Governments can only take away rights) The first freedom was the free expression of religion, and that no national church would be established.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are the three inalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence. This was ultimately a guarantee for all, though during those times slavery was a very real way of life. For the colonies to unite against the crown, it was necessary to make that concession. No one puts forward the argument in hindsight that slavery was acceptable. It is as deplorable today, as it was then. Interesting that people are surprised that the very same markets that were selling slaves to the white slave traders to take to America are still thriving, selling slaves to other places in Africa and other parts of the world. Just an aside.
The fact is that a place was needed, where religious freedom was established as the law of the law of the land. God was about to fulfill prophesy, and restore the gospel to the world. It would have been impossible in nations which either had a national church, or had prominent majorities, thus prohibiting a seed to grow. By having a nation that was new, where religious fervor ebbed and flowed, the climate allowed the germination of that restoration. A nation of skeptics would allow the free interchange of ideas.
With God, nothing is impossible, but just as Christ asked the mourners to remove the stone on Lazarus's tomb, rather than move it with his power, He needed a fertile bed to promote the growth of His Church, allowing for the agency of man.
I am grateful for the sacrifice of those who signed that sacred document in 1776. The pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. That sounds a lot to me like the law of consecration. Some gave their all, some sacrificed families, and many sacrificed fortunes. Should we do less?
Today, on the website Vox, it was opined that perhaps the American Revolution had been a mistake. The writer offers many for instances, and overall makes this point. Let me offer another opinion.
The colonies were settled by those seeking religious independence. The pilgrims sought freedom from the Church of England. They did not have the political influence of the Puritans, who ultimately also sought freedom from the oppressive church. Maryland was settled as a refuge for Catholics, who were also persecuted by the church. Others were settled, of course as financial investments by those seeking the raw materials that the land offered. When the Constitution was drawn up, and approved, those writers insisted that when the Bill of Rights was added (not to "add" rights, but to enumerate them. Governments can only take away rights) The first freedom was the free expression of religion, and that no national church would be established.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are the three inalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence. This was ultimately a guarantee for all, though during those times slavery was a very real way of life. For the colonies to unite against the crown, it was necessary to make that concession. No one puts forward the argument in hindsight that slavery was acceptable. It is as deplorable today, as it was then. Interesting that people are surprised that the very same markets that were selling slaves to the white slave traders to take to America are still thriving, selling slaves to other places in Africa and other parts of the world. Just an aside.
The fact is that a place was needed, where religious freedom was established as the law of the law of the land. God was about to fulfill prophesy, and restore the gospel to the world. It would have been impossible in nations which either had a national church, or had prominent majorities, thus prohibiting a seed to grow. By having a nation that was new, where religious fervor ebbed and flowed, the climate allowed the germination of that restoration. A nation of skeptics would allow the free interchange of ideas.
With God, nothing is impossible, but just as Christ asked the mourners to remove the stone on Lazarus's tomb, rather than move it with his power, He needed a fertile bed to promote the growth of His Church, allowing for the agency of man.
I am grateful for the sacrifice of those who signed that sacred document in 1776. The pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. That sounds a lot to me like the law of consecration. Some gave their all, some sacrificed families, and many sacrificed fortunes. Should we do less?
Comments
Post a Comment