Justifying Revolution: The American Clergy's Argument for Political Resistance, 1750-1776

by Gary Lee Steward

Historians have debated how the clergy's support for political resistance during the American Revolution should be understood, often looking to influence outside of the clergy's tradition. This book argues, however, that the position of the patriot clergy was in continuity with a long-standing tradition of Protestant resistance.

Drawing from a wide range of sources, Justifying The American Clergy's Argument for Political Resistance, 1750-1776 answers the question of why so many American clergyman found it morally and ethically right to support resistance to British political authority by exploring the theological background and rich Protestant history available to the American clergy as they considered political resistance and wrestled with the best course of action for them and their congregations. Gary L. Steward argues that, rather than deviating from their inherited modes of thought, the clergy who supported resistance did so in ways that were consistent with their own theological tradition.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Christian, Politics, American History, Religion

232 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2021

Reviews

[Jeremy]

Mentioned positively here (at the very end).

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

So there has been a raging debate about whether or not the colonists were justified in their rebellion against the British crown…well raging in some of my circles at the least. We have seen this discussion in our part of the United States over mask mandates and governmental overreach. So this book (probably a doctoral thesis, with several hundred primary and secondary sources listed) was a welcome addition to this discussion. While I had hoped for more scriptural analysis I was surprised to read about many historians thinking that the colonists broke from tradition and then when the author pursued this line of thinking, to show it wrong, I was all in. So even thought it did not answer my questions fully it did answer questions I didn’t even know I had. And for that bravo! Highly recommended

[Rusten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly eviscerates Mark Noll's and George Marsden's claim that the clergy that supported rebellion against Britain had formed a new kind of Christianity that was a melded with secular humanism. The American War for independence was called the Presbyterian revolt because it was done in continuity with protestant resistance theory as developed in Calvin, Knox, the Mathers, vindiciae contra tyrranos, Rutherford and Lex Rex, the puritans of the great revolution etc.

[Xenophon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary L Stewart succinctly and readably resurrects the political doctrine of 18th century ministers and provides helpful context to the American War for Independence in the process. This is as brilliant as scholarship gets today.

Read this if you want to know:

1. The cultural backdrop to 1776.
2. How British policy, not ideological shift provoked colonial ministers (and colonials by extension) to war.
3. The conflicting strains of British political theory as it was preached from the pulpit (passive obedience vs. resistance).
4. About the opinions on the war among British ministers and statesmen.

While I think Steward understates the influence of resistance theory on the development of liberalism and how the latter could easily blow back and influence Christians in turn, he effectively puts to bed the notion that these events were motivated by syncretism with Thomas Paine-style liberalism.

I'll also note this book is HIGHLY profitable for Reformed/Evangelical Christians to read today. We're in an odd state where passive obedience is more commonly taught in the pews while the same ministers today promote our revolution as just and godly. This renders them unhelpful guides for thought and action today. This book at the very least gives you the language to sort these things out better and come to firmer conclusions.

To put it more pointedly- this book will add definition to the line between bearing with tyranny and lawfully resisting it according to a consistent theory of obedience.

More than that, Steward provides ample references to firsthand sources. A great deal of the book are direct quotes with breadcrumbs leading out to greater stores. Those more familiar with those references will also find Steward synthesizes them better than most scholars.

This is my favorite read of the year until further notice.

[Caleb Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful—and brief!—book on clerical justifications for the political resistance in general and the American Revolution in particular, and how those justifications did not depart substantively from historic Protestant and British resistance theory. I especially appreciate Steward’s frequent interactions with opposing viewpoints which see clerical arguments for political resistance and the Revolution as motivated primarily by secular, Enlightenment principles, and his thoughtful, leveled critiques of these viewpoints.

I would certainly like to look into other books by Steward, and am excited to read Mark Hall’s related book, Did America Have a Christian Founding? Thanks to Doug Wilson for the recommendation!

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dry, but full of little known (seldom-taught) history and primary sources. It’s safe to say that if today’s clergy were not divorced from its own theological tradition, unquestioning compliance
to government tyranny would not be the agenda du jure in the pulpit. “Standing on the shoulders of giants” is no longer fashionable, and the results are plain to see in America today. I would love for many to read this book, if only to reopen the possibility of debate on this topic.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Syncretism is the worst.

[Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Steward is my professor. Love the book!

[Brittany]

recommended in CCU review

[Melissa]

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