“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. “
The question posed by a friend of mine is how can this be correct when the bible states in Romans 13:1 that “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” How can we justify rebelling against a King? Do any of these rights even exist?
First off to clarify a definition a “Right” according to the dictionary [Merriam-Webster] is, in this context, a “power or privilege to which one is justly entitled.” The Bible states thou shall not murder, so the right to life, at least, may be safely inferred. It’s not a question of does anyone have rights, but what rights do we have?
Now as to the question of our right to form Governments to secure the rights to which we are justly entitled, the question is do we always have to put up with whatever we have, or can we act to change Governments? Certainly a casual reading of the Bible implies that we should put up with whatever comes our way. But on mature reflection we realize that the Bible cannot mean that all Governments are always correct, as the very people who wrote Romans were themselves preaching Christianity against the laws of Rome.
It’s much the same contradiction we face in Jesus’ attitude of pacifism. Matthew 5:39 tells us not to resist evil, but other Bible verses tell us specifically to resist evil e.g. James 4:7 and Romans 12:9. You understand the contradiction when you understand that the Bible teaches us to resist evil but not to hate our enemies, engage in revenge or otherwise engage in petty disputes. Our guide should be Mark 12:17 “Give Caesar what is due to Caesar and give God what belongs to God.” When there is a conflict we give God priority. In slavery the Bible’s advice in sensible, there is no point in being a grouchy slave if your lot in life is to be a slave. Better to be a great worker and make your boss feel guilty about having slaves. But this doesn’t mean we should continue with the institution of slavery. It is right and proper for Governments to abolish this practice and if the Government doesn’t want to do that it is right and proper to abolish the Government and make a new one. One should not rebel against the government lightly. In general the Bible tells us to respect authority. But when that authority descends into true evil, it is our duty to oppose it.
You will forgive my quoting but I really cannot put things better than Jefferson did: “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” I don’t just quote these words, I say Amen to them. I think these words are fully within the spirit of the law as layed down to us by the Bible.