The American struggle for independence in 1776 was deeply influenced by biblical ideas, even though it was also political, economic, and philosophical. Many of the founding fathers and early American colonists viewed their cause through a biblical lens, drawing on Scripture to justify resistance to tyranny and shape their vision of liberty.
Biblical Principles in American Independence:
Freedom as a God-given Right Many colonists believed that liberty was not just a political issue but a divine right. Scriptures like Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” and Exodus 8:1 – “Let my people go” were used to support the idea that people should not be enslaved by unjust rulers. Resistance to Tyranny as Obedience to God A popular phrase among colonial preachers was, “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.” This idea came from stories in the Bible where God’s people stood up against oppressive rulers—like Moses before Pharaoh, or the Hebrew midwives who disobeyed Pharaoh’s command to kill Israelite babies (Exodus 1).
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