July 26, 2019
Celebrating Our Dependence
Article by Dennis Call
July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from the British Empire, and two days later on July 4th, delegates from the thirteen British colonies adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence. That historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson has long stood as a summation of American rejection of monarchs and our embrace of democratic ideals promoting the will of the people over the authority of an unelected ruling class. Earlier this month, many American’s celebrated “Independence Day,” the way they have for the last two plus centuries, with parades, concerts, barbeques with family, and of course fireworks. Freedom from tyranny that coincides with American independence has been a blessing to Americans and a great many people around the world. However, while there have been tremendous blessings stemming from our political freedoms, the American rejection of a monarch and elevation of individual liberty creates a significant danger to our understanding of and submission to Christ as the “King of Kings.”
Paul’s description of God’s place as the creator and sustainer of all things and our utter dependence upon Him is in many ways equally difficult for modern day Americans to accept as it was for many of the Athenians Paul delivered the Gospel to during his visit to Athens. The American rejection of monarchy that launched the colonies into war with England was so complete that even the first oath of office for military officers required them to acknowledge “no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain” and “renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him.” The oath would go on to reject the authority of the king, his descendants, and anyone loyal to him in perpetuity.
Though the rejection of King George or monarchs is political in nature, it’s easy to see how this attitude of renunciation can and has spilled over into our spiritual lives. There are experts in every field from business to parenting encouraging us to be more democratic, build consensus, and allow “stakeholders” to vote on what the group should or shouldn’t do. Representative democracy is our style of government, but we should be careful that we don’t make everything in our lives democratic in nature, especially in how we relate to God’s authority as the great ruler of all creation. In fact, because of Christ’s humility in death, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11).
• • •
If you’re looking for discipleship, click on the link below to join us on one of our Soldiers For Faith Call-In Bible Studies.
Dennis Call
Author of Battle Hard Blog
Dennis Call joined the Army as an infantry officer shortly after the 9/11 attacks on our country, serving fourteen years on active duty. During his Army service, Dennis deployed for thirty-three months to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. Prior to joining the Army Dennis served as the Director of College Ministries at First Baptist Church in Texico, N.M. where he mentored students at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. Dennis and his amazing wife Katie live in Colorado Springs, CO with their five children (four boys and one super sweet daughter).
