The successful Revolution against England gave the American people newfound independence and the opportunity to create a new government of their own design and intent. It gave them a changed society in which privilege and bloodlines counted for little and ideals and human equality counted for much. Though the success of the Revolution furnished Americans with the opportunity to form a legal government, express their political ideals, and abolish those grievances they had with Great Britain, it also created new conflicts of conscience and philosophy that were not easily addressed.
Since the beginning of time, religious doctrine has dictated law. The Bible laid out the rules that people are to live by and these rules became law. The Bible also declared that disobedience to civil rulers was both a political sin and a transgression against God. Colonists struggled with their consciences and debated their own authority. They struggled to resolve varied interpretations of Scripture. In Romans Chapter 13, verse 1, St. Paul writes: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers". Strictly interpreted, this would mean that people should be loyal not only to God, but to all authorities. Rulers, no matter how oppressive and tyrannical, were to be respected and obeyed. Contrarians debated whether this was the correct interpretation, or was the Bible really referring only to authorities that were living and ruling in a fair and humane manner? Characterizing the Patriots endeavors as "revolutionary" certainly put them in an unfavorable light and in potential defiance of Biblical doctrine. It created an inaccurate portrait of what they were truly trying to accomplish and would most likely have prevented them from getting the full support of their countrymen.
Revolution was in direct conflict with God's word. It could not have been an easy decision for Colonists to decide to revolt against Great Britain.
