I’ve read quite a bit on the Revolutionary War. I get it. The Colonists thought of themselves as full citizens of Great Britain and wanted to be treated as such. Parliament thought of them as dependents and wanted to keep them under foot. When I’m reading, I’m decidedly rooting for America.

Having said that, it bothers me when warring people declare God to be on their side. In many conflicts, good people on both sides sincerely believe they are right.

I’m not certain of the point beyond which it’s OK to revolt against a government. Jesus told His questioners to give Caesar his due. Paul also appealed to Caesar for his rights. There have been few governments as oppressive as Rome’s was and the Bible never told the original readers to rebel.

There are necessary wars — I’m not certain there are righteous ones.

Many confuse and mix their patriotism with their faith. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

Maybe I’m reading into this too much. Paine’s purpose was propaganda, and he achieved his purpose spectacularly. I’ve heard somewhere that The American Crisis was read by a greater percentage of the population than any other book. George Washington had it read to his army when most of the men were on the verge of giving up and going home. As a result, they attacked against all odds and defeated the British at Trenton and Princeton and kept the war for independence alive.