The Declaration of Independence
- Author: Thomas Jefferson
o John Adams
o Roger Sherman
o Robert R. Livingston
- Year: 1776
- Purpose: To officially declare independence from the Great Britain and establish the Colonies (states) as a separate nation.
- June 7, 1776: Richard Henry Lee of Virginia officially proposes a resolution of Independence
- June 11, 1776: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston are appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. The final copy was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.
- July 2, 1776: A final vote is taken for Independence in Congress. The outcome is unanimous in favor, save the colony of New York who abstained from voting.
- July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence is signed.
- When in the Course of Human events:
o To break all connection with England
o And to be equal in status to other nations
§ Because Laws of Nature and Nature’s God give this right.
o It is respectful to give the reasons for this separation
- We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident
o Have been given certain rights by their Creator
§ Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
o Governments are established
§ To protect these rights
§ Have their power through the people they govern
o Governments should be altered or abolished
§ When they do not protect the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
§ It is the right of the people to do so
o New Governments should be established
§ By the people
§ On a foundation of principles they think good
§ And giving power where they think necessary
§ In order to secure their
o Safety
o Happiness
o Prudence (caution and regard to one’s own interest) says
§ Governments should not be changed for small reasons and
§ People would rather suffer
o If the trails are sufferable
§ Than to do right by themselves by abolishing their government
o Because it is what they are accustomed to
o But, a government should be thrown off
§ When there has been a long line of abuses and trials
o Which are for the object of putting the people under tyranny
§ In order to protect future security
§ It is the Right and Duty of the people to do so
Grievances
- “He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States… and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.”
- “He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.”
- “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” & “He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
- “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:”
- “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:”
- “For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies”
- “He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.”
- “For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:”
“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
Comparing the Declaration of Independence and the Bible
This comparison was meant not to discredit the Declaration of Independence nor paint it in a morally degrading light. The genius of the Declaration of Independence is evident in its historically proven and intellectually poignant phrases, and its efficacy as a document that changed the course of history is undeniable. This comparison is simply designed to cause us to think critically and match everything we know, hear, read, and assume against the highest standard: the Word of God.
The Declaration
“All men are created equal”
Our Rights: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Other than life, these are all man-created values
Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle a people to “separate and equal station”
Governments receive their power from the “consent of the governed”
It is the right of the people to alter or abolish their government
“For imposing taxes on us without our consent”
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The Bible
Man is created in the image of God:
Genesis 1:26-28 In Christ: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:1-2
“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Romans 13: 5 “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities… Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1, 2
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:7
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