Re: [TruthTalk] Trapped in the Flag

[Lance Muir]

David: Read your post to Bishop J then, go to the nearest mirror to see if there are any 'beams' in your eye. I can't see from where I sit 'cause well...ya know? ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Taylor To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: December 02, 2004 19:04 Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Trapped in the Flag Why must one provide an example of a hypothetical form that obedience could take, in order that the biblical exhortation of submitting to governing authorities might stand? The truthfulness of my assertion does not hinge upon an example. It is either true or it's false. In other words, I don't have to speculate about what things may have been like if the Christians among the colonists had lived in obedience.    But if that's what you want, I will:   You state, "I did not see any examples yesterday where the founding fathers missed an opportunity to remedy the problem without declaring independence.  If you think the taxation without representation issue is one, maybe you can educate me . . ." What if, say, instead of conjuring up voices in their heads from "God" telling them on that occasion it was okay to circumvent Romans 13, they would have just refused to pay their taxes until that time that they had representation; then when the king's men came to execute judgment upon them, the Christians in the group could have pleaded no context and let the king's men execute a few thousand of them -- or as many as the king desired. Why? Well because they were godly men, who believed in their heart of hearts that it was their duty to God to submit to the governing authorities -- even if that meant taking up their crosses daily. IF, in their faithfulness, they were right, concerning their refusal to pay taxes without representation, God, being always faithful, may have softened the king's heart -- even if after a few thousand murders -- whereby the king would have made concessions providing for a representative form of government, in which case the end could have been the same, Independence, but there would have been none of this voices-in-my-head/prophet/let's-overthrow-the-government stuff, and likewise no confusion over when or whether it is the appropriate time to obey God's written word.   David, my friend, you are really plucking on my last nerve. I've got to have a break from you for a few days. When I think I can bear you again, I will get back to you. Peace be with you.   Bill