My wife made this Patriotic Display for the coffee table. I always enjoyed the 4th of July. It makes me think about the whole idea of freedom, citizenship, and the Lutheran understanding of obedience to government. Thinking is hard work. Hard work makes me hungry. Hunger makes me think of barbecue, barbecue makes me; well you get the picture.
Trying to get the picture of the relationship of a Christian to Government is hard work. Jefferson said that liberty is a gift of God. So did Paul. They were talking about different kinds if freedom but let’s not confuse the issue any more.
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event.”
–Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237 Thomas Jefferson
What happens when a nation, or a large part of a nation believes that liberty is a gift if government and whatever functionaries happen to be in power? What happens when the ruling class of a nation figures out they can bribe the people with their own taxes? Kind of makes you hungry huh?
