Independence Day Edition

Independence Eve or Twilight…?

As a dedication to this great country and from the blessings that God has so richly bestowed upon it, this post shall recognize the day 249 years after our founders declared independence from the King of England. The Declaration of Independence these men drafted was a revolutionary document that no one previously had the wisdom and the audacity to declare.

As a reflection on these men and on this document, please let us describe how I described it in my book: You Say You Want a Revolution: A Compelling & Cautionary Tale of What Lies Ahead https://www.amazon.com/You-Say-Want-Revolution-Compelling/dp/195593729X

After quoting from the declaration that “all men are created equal…,” I added these heartfelt comments:

“A couple of crucial points demand review. Firstly, according to the Declaration of Independence, our rights come from God. When initially written, this was a revolutionary statement. No founding document had previously made such a claim. Its obvious intent was “we,” meaning the founding fathers were not granting rights. God was. Think about this in terms of governing. Since God granted our rights, then subsequent leaders cannot take rights away. Since God granted our rights, only God could take them away. “The second point is less well known. The declaration actually contains language that could be construed as advocating revolution. By stating that the “Right of the People to alter or to abolish it [government],” the declaration accomplished two completely opposite premises. First, to declare freedom. Second, to declare the right to change the government, if the form of government“becomes destructive of these ends. ” What ends? To deny “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And to “secure these rights,” the Governments [note plural] are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. “Government must secure that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and citizens consent to be governed by that government. This book’s title was written to convey that many want revolution. This connection to the Declaration of Independence is obvious but not intended. Yet, it is folly to think that a revolution ought to occur in a world ready to “bounce” on a battered America. Revolution is folly because it would destroy both the government and the revolution. America cannot withstand a revolutionary climate while maintaining its standing in the world order. It is impossible to sustain attacks from within and without. Lincoln knew that the house divided would fall. And that any such fall would come from within. For posterity, this iswhat he said:‘From whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some trans-Atlantic military giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe and Asia . . . could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years. No, if destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men we will live forever or die by suicide.’ “Establishing facts and logic to demonstrate that the forces of our destruction are at play has no doubt been hard to read—and to write. This is both a message of hope and a warning. We are at a crossroads—but we have a choice…”“Something big is coming. Is it a civil war? Or an ideological war? Or a redemption? Or a revival? A political earthquake? A revolution? Each of us has a choice. Our character counts. The content of our character, not the color of our skin is the better standard—and the healthier approach. “Our collective choice . . . revolution or redemption? Are there other options? If there are, they are limited, at best. How about individually? Are you part of the solution or the problem . . .?”So, here we are one year short of our 250 year anniversary… enjoy your holiday and be grateful for your freedom…!