Why American Christians should not celebrate American Independence Day

I do not hate America. In fact, I am quite fond of America. Those of you who know I live overseas might think I have been brainwashed into anti-Americanism. But I really haven’t.

I am currently visiting my family in Houston and have thoroughly enjoyed orderly lines, sane traffic and insane gas prices. I have enjoyed understanding what everyone around me is saying, and the familiarity that comes from being home.

So why might I say that Christians should not celebrate Independence Day? Here are some reasons.

1) Scripture References

Paul says in Romans 13:1-2

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

In reference to the American Revolution, are there any exceptions that we can pull? It seems not. The reasons for the American Revolution are two-fold (summarized):

A) Taxation without representation

B) Excessive use of force by the authorities governing the colonies (in some cases)

While the first gives the best environment for checks and balances of power, there is no scriptural directive saying that governments must use this organization to manage their territories. Thus, we cannot say that the government of England was overstepping any biblical commands.

The second, of course, amounts to unjust action on the part of the rulers, and oversteps biblical mandate. However, this does not give justification to armed rebellion, at least in terms of scripture, for Paul states that God has established this authority. God will hold them accountable.

Of course, one must wonder about verse three. Paul says that Rulers hold no terror for those who do no wrong. We obviously know this not to be true in all cases. Many Christians were persecuted even in his time.

One might wonder if the verse is talking to a specific group of people and is about a specific government. This might have been true if only the first half of the first sentence had been writing. However, the rest of the sentence makes it universal.

2) Case Study: The Hebrews and Pharaoh

If there is anywhere in scripture where a group of people had a right to rebel, it would have been the Hebrews, enslaved by the Egyptians, forced to build monuments to men and false gods. They were mistreated in the most grotesque ways. Its quite possible that many thought of rebelling, and a few may have attempted to lead insurrections. Yet, God never calls for the people to rise up in rebellion. Rather, he sends Moses and Aaron.

Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh in order to deliver messages from God – “Let my people go.” When Pharaoh doesn’t agree, God doesn’t say “aight, we tried once – let’s do this the old fashioned way.” No, Moses approaches Pharaoh ten times before Pharaoh finally agrees. THEN Moses gets to lead the Israelites out.

Note this – God changed Pharaoh’s heart, either softening or hardening it. If God was choosing when exactly to have the Israelites leave Egypt, if God is dictating the course of events, why did he choose to have Pharaoh’s approval be a part of his plan? It seems he wanted the Israelites to leave on the admission of God

There seems to be a theme throughout scripture of submission to authorities, whether or not those authorities are just or not.

-David was never told to rebel against Saul, though Saul was an unjust leader and pursued David mercilessly.

-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego all refused to submit to Authority when it contradicted God’s directives, but never rebelled. Rather, they engaged in passive resistance – akin to the actions of Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela (in his later years).

-Jesus never advocated rebellion against the roman authorities. Rather, he advocated that Jews pay taxes. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

-Stephen argued his case for Christ to the Jewish authorities, but he never once fought back.

-When Peter attempts to fight the roman authorities who come to arrest Jesus, Jesus stops him and tells him not to fight back.