Does the Bible address the American Revolution?

Historical Context and Scope

The Scriptures were completed many centuries before events of the 18th century unfolded in what would become the United States. Consequently, there is no direct mention of the American Revolution (1775–1783) within the biblical text. Yet the Bible provides foundational principles defining how followers of God might interact with governments, authorities, and situations of potential conflict. These guidelines—seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments—can inform how one interprets, in retrospect, historical struggles like the American Revolution.

Biblical Principles of Government and Authority

Throughout Scripture, believers are admonished to respect and submit to legitimate authorities. Romans 13:1–2 states, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

In parallel, 1 Peter 2:13–14 instructs, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.” These passages underscore that government functions under God’s ultimate sovereignty, though in our historical experience human leadership is frequently imperfect or even oppressive.

When to Obey God over Men

Scripture also recognizes circumstances where governing powers oppose God’s moral commands. In Acts 5:29, the apostles say, “We must obey God rather than men.” This principle implies that if civil authority demands outright rebellion against God’s Word or seeks to curtail devotion to God, one must side with God’s truth.

Such a stance, however, is always approached with sobriety, seeking humility rather than haste. Daniel’s refusal to stop praying despite King Darius’s edict (Daniel 6) exemplifies civil disobedience grounded in faithfulness to God, not personal preference.

No Explicit Teaching on the American Revolution

While many colonists at the time drew upon biblical language to frame their struggle, the Bible itself does not specifically endorse or prohibit the American Revolution. Scripture’s universal teaching on government and submission simply provides guiding principles:

1. God ordains authority (Romans 13).

2. Believers should generally comply with lawful authorities (Titus 3:1).

3. When authorities command disobedience to divine law, believers must prioritize obedience to God (Acts 5:29).

Because the American Revolution involved a complex mix of political, economic, and personal factors, no single verse decides the morality or historical legitimacy of that event. Instead, individuals in that era offered varied interpretations, with some drawing on the principle of resisting tyranny (citing the oppression they perceived under the British Crown) and others emphasizing patience under hardship (citing scriptural calls to endure).

Reflections on Christians in Revolutionary Contexts

Several preachers of the 18th century, often referred to as part of “the Black Robe Regiment,” used biblical rhetoric to argue that resisting the overreach of a king or government was not automatically sinful. By pointing to passages condemning injustice and oppression (e.g., Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless; plead the cause of the widow.” [BSB]), they reasoned that throwing off “tyranny” was a moral pursuit. Others, appealing to Romans 13, believed it was more consistent for Christians to remain loyal to the Crown’s lawful authority.

Scriptural Principles of Justice and Liberty

Though the American Revolution is not in the Bible, the concepts that fueled that period—freedom and justice—do resonate with biblical themes. Scripture consistently portrays God as the champion of the oppressed (Psalm 146:7), and His hand reveals concern for liberty:

• In the Exodus account, God liberated the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:7–8).

• The Year of Jubilee regulated liberty and restoration (Leviticus 25).

• Jesus declared, “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives…” (Luke 4:18).

These passages highlight the biblical standpoint that freedom from oppression can reflect God’s heart. Nevertheless, the same Bible also warns of rashness, or quickly discarding civil peace without due cause.

Individuals, Conscience, and Community

Scripture teaches balancing personal conscience with communal well-being. Believers hold personal convictions informed by God’s Word (Romans 14:5). However, they also remain accountable to the community of faith (Ephesians 4:3). In the late 18th century, American believers navigated these tensions in widely differing ways:

• Some pastors advocated praying for the king and abiding by the authority of Parliament, citing 1 Timothy 2:1–2.

• Others urged rebellion, contending that the monarchy had exceeded its God-given mandate.

Conclusion: The Bible’s Underlying Principles

Although there is no direct biblical passage regarding the American Revolution, Scriptural principles bear on the broader question of whether, and when, one might resist oppression:

1. Government is part of God’s design for maintaining order (Romans 13).

2. In cases where government forbids obeying God or commits grave injustice, believers can stand against such misuse of power (Acts 5:29; Isaiah 1:17).

3. Any form of rebellion or resistance must be weighed with prayerful discernment, guided by biblical wisdom rather than impulsive or self-centered motives.

In sum, the Bible does not “address” the American Revolution by name, yet it speaks timelessly to the ethics of government, resistance, and freedom. Those fundamental ideas, drawn from Scripture, shaped many participants’ justifications or objections. As with all historical matters not explicitly described in Scripture, it is critical to apply consistent biblical principles, recognizing that the American Revolution arose from specific circumstances in the late 18th century, long after the canon of Scripture had closed.