7-4-16<\/p>\n
Our recent essay concluded with a question posed by the successful Brexit vote, wherein the United Kingdom voted to end its membership in the European Union, and the certainty that many other countries soon will do the same. That question is this: If the current mode of virtually unbridled democracy had existed on July 4, 1776, how different would that world, and our world, be?<\/p>\n
Men gathered from 13 colonies in Philadelphia to air and share their grievances. The Mother Country had dismissed their concerns, levied taxes, and arbitrarily stationed troops throughout the colonies. An emerging people \u2013 a nation of newly minted, self-conscious Americans \u2013 had chased off their lands the armies and representatives of the Netherlands, France, and Spain; pacified or cowed numerous native tribes who previously had squabbled among themselves for the same pieces of earth; and generally adopted English as the common and legal language.<\/p>\n
In short time there arose common bonds of affection within the colonies, also trade and \u201ccommercial intercourse,\u201d and the shared values of daily life\u2019s fabric. Many \u201cAmericans\u201d believed that the Crown and Parliament owed deference and special status to these British colonies. So did some prominent Britons, like Edmund Burke, whose \u201cConciliation With the Colonies\u201d is still a literary classic. But London answered with less, not more, deference.<\/p>\n
Eventually the leading figures of politics, government, business, trade, and society gathered in Philadelphia. They knew it was not to compose another letter, another petition, to the Crown. They had schooled themselves in biblical history, Greek democracy, Roman law, the Magna Carta and English Common Law, and philosophers of the Enlightenment. They were a remarkable collection of intellects, representing yet other luminaries of American history who did not attend these sessions, but supported the deliberations.<\/p>\n
Those deliberations were no mystery; there was no shroud of secrecy, no imminent surprises. Their councils were idealistic\u2026 but grim. <\/p>\n
The men who gathered were not, strictly speaking, suicidal. Yet they all declared \u2013 they so agreed and announced to the world \u2013 to \u201cpledge their lives, their fortunes, their scared honor\u201d to declare independence, to formalize nationhood.<\/p>\n
Independence. It is a word that should still cause inchoate swelling of pride and even defiance in the descendants of those rebels, 240 years later. It is, strange but true, the motivation of the Brexit campaigners in the UK, and the nationalist movements in a dozen other European nations right now. The establishment press and political elites are trying to argue for 2-out-of-3; or claiming that voters were unprepared for the vote; or\u2026 any desperate evocations they can muster of King Canute of legend: the futile inability to order back the crashing ocean waves.<\/p>\n
Ironically, King George III is reincarnated in the Bureaucrats of Brussels. It is the critique of Kafka and the jibes of Jefferson, however, that animate the workers and middle classes of traditional Europe these days. The soul of Sobieski, martyrdom of Martel and others who, over 15 centuries, battled to keep Europe Christian and white. But today we remember the Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n
The question I have posed is not rhetorical: if the document that was introduced to England and the world on July 4, 1776, in all its literary and ideological brilliance, had not been a manifesto and call to arms, but rather a Brexit-like Referendum, what would have happened? If Parliament had bound itself to the results of such initiatives, well\u2026 just think.<\/p>\n
Historians agree that the colonies of \u201976 were fairly divided in their passions: roughly one-third each loyal to the Crown, favoring independence, and indifferent. Alexander the Great felt no such restrictions; nor the Roman legions; nor waves of conquering Vikings, Huns, Mongols, Vandals, barbarians, Saracens. The European imperial powers for centuries enforced their worldwide hegemonies by means ranging from suzerainty to brutality. <\/p>\n
Athens would have voted to be free of the Spartans; India attempted plebiscites against British rule; Zionists resorted to terrorism to establish Israel and in turn Palestinians employ bombs when ballots are not available. <\/p>\n
Let us return to July 4. If the Declaration had been a Writ of Attainder against the King (more pacific Colonists did try to cast it so), there might not have been battles of Monmouth and Saratoga, nor the stirring examples of Valley Forge. No Yorktown, no Lafayette or Steuben, no heroes like George Washington. We cannot know these things.<\/p>\n
But we do know that a list of grievances, not a declaration of war or even a \u201cdeclaration of independence\u201d was nailed to a church door in a German village in 1517. Martin Luther\u2019s 95 \u201ctheses\u201d were, basically, opinions, complaints, and pleas for reform within the Roman Catholic church. Luther was a priest in that Church, and had no desire to start a revolution.<\/p>\n
But Christian reformers, German princes, and God Himself had other visions. The Protestant Revolution, in substance and in effects, has been as profound as the famous battles at Thermopylae, Marathon, Hastings, and Waterloo.<\/p>\n
But I am not asking us, even on July 4, to turn to history books. Let us turn to our Bibles. Scripture tells us that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world \u2013 indeed a world of woe, a \u201cvale of tears\u201d \u2013 but we are Citizens of Heaven. Nevertheless, here we are now, and we are commanded to be, if not \u201cof\u201d this world, to be obedient residents in it. Uncomfortable passages for Tea Partiers of 1775 and today alike, but we \u201crender unto Caesar\u201d and recognize the Divine Right of Kings; and read that God ordains the positions of those in positions of power.<\/p>\n
More dilemmas, especially for Christians in democracies. And more reason for us to search the scriptures and seek spiritual guidance. All the time. To pray, not just over jobs or romances, but in EVERY question affecting our daily lives\u2026 and our country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
We should adopt the mindset that every choice between candidates is also a spiritual question. Every ballot item \u2013 referendum \u2013 presents us with spiritual choices. Electing representatives who decide questions of education policy; judges who will rule on abortion; presidents who send us to wars, or not \u2013 these are all decisions that God would have us consider prayerfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsider prayerfully\u201d is not an empty clich\u00e9 \u2013 well, yes it is, if we allow that. The problems in America virtually all stem from Christians surrendering their prerogatives. We have lost our way, insecure in our faith, ignorant of our heritage. Otherwise we would be throwing bums out of office, overturning noxious laws and regulations, and storming courthouses.<\/p>\n
Whether it is time for a Convention of States (as per Article Five of the Constitution), civil disobedience, or armed resistance if, God forbid, things get that bad, Christian Patriots should think about a new Declaration of Independence. Read the old one, write a new one!<\/p>\n
Better yet, Christians should act according to a Declaration of DEpendence\u2026 dependence upon God Almighty. Among other things, that will make America great again.<\/p>\n
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