We Hold These Truths To Be In Error: A Christian Look at the Declaration of Independence

Many Christian commentators claim that America is great because we were a Christian nation. They try to prove it using our Declaration of Independence. They try to prove this because the Declaration mentions God and says that our freedom comes not from man but from God. Is this true? Let's look at key sections of the Declaration of Independence and examine it in light of God's word.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal,

Is this true? Yes, and no. Genesis 1:27 says that man is created in God's image. The Bible does not teach different races but deals with mankind as a whole. When Cornelius was saved in Acts 10:34, Peter remarked that, "God is no respecter of persons." (KJV) Ephesians 3:11 says that Christ breaks all racial boundaries. The Bible does not, however, declare that everyone is equal. Jesus frequently divided saved and unsaved into two separate groups. He compares saved and unsaved to sheep and goats, wheat and tares, and two roads. Psalms 1:6 says, "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." To God, unbelievers are separate.

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

According to the framers, God gave rights to man. These rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Do we have the right to life? Those who murder, forfeit their right to life. (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12-14) In God's economy, those who "findeth his life shall lose it, and he who loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39) Do we have a right to liberty? The Jews wanted a political kingdom that would rebel against Rome. Jesus told the Pharisees that his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus did not comment on political issues. Do we have the right to pursue happiness? Romans 12:1 commands us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:2 tells us to not be conformed to this world. Micah 6:8 says "He hath shown me, oh man, what is good and what the Lord doth require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." There is nothing about pursuing happiness in the Bible. We are to pursue righteousness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

According to this declaration, governments are set up to secure these rights. Romans 13:1-5 says that governments were set up to punish evil doers. It says nothing of protecting those unalienable rights. The next lines says that governments get their power from the people. Basically, they rule at the pleasure of the citizens. Romans 13:1 says that "The powers that be are ordained by God." No where in the Bible does it say that governments answer to the people and can be overthrown if they fail to serve the people.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to those ends, it a Right of the People to alter or abolish it....

According to this, any form of government that does not allow people to have life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness should be overthrown. The people can alter or abolish any such governments. Romans 13:1 says to be subject to higher powers. 1 Peter 2:13 says "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the king as supreme." We are to pray for kings. (1 Timothy 2:2) Jesus rebuked those that wanted to lead a revolt against Rome.

Although it uses "Christianeze", it is not a Christian document. It is a secular, humanistic document that uses Christian terminology because the vast majority of people were church-goers. Although the founders themselves wanted a more secular society, the church going populous would not have accepted it. The founding fathers threw them a bone by using Christian terms. As has been demonstrated, this is not Biblically accurate. This document must be rejected as a source of truth to Christians.