Romans 13 and US History

[TannedIrishman]

As an outsider I don't really know much on the issue, but did the founding fathers of the US violate Romans 13 by rebelling against the Crown?

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

If you get the chance, read Samuel Rutherford's Lex, Rex, or, before doing so, read John Coffey's excellent biography of Rutherford prior to diving into the text. These sources will allow you to think through the wider issues of Romans 13 and resistance to tyrants. As for the American Revolution, I suspect the issues are too complicated for us to answer with a simple yea or nae.

 

[TannedIrishman]

Thank you for those resources I'll try look into them

 

[rbcbob]

It has been discussed passionately here
http://www.puritanboard.com/f45/so-you-want-revolution-50227/

 

[jwithnell]

I think a key point rests in the founders' identifying themselves as British subjects who believed they should have been afforded the full protection of the law. This is a point that generally gets glossed over in favor of a view that the colonists were a bunch of of idealists who wanted to have themselves a fine revolution in the name of holy freedom, a view antithetical to Christian orderliness and respect for authority.

 

[RamistThomist]

As Daniel said, Lex, Rex.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

My family sided with the Crown at the beginning, but by about 1781 had decided it was a righteous cause.

 

[Frosty]

My family sided with the Crown at the beginning, but by about 1781 had decided it was a righteous cause.

Ah, so you're an ancestor of that notorious traitor, Arnold Benedict?