A Parallel Revolution

In poor health and unable to attend a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson penned his final letter. Reflecting upon their bold rebellion he wrote, “May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessing and security of self-government.”

With remarkable similarities the Restoration Movement of the 1800’s paralleled the American Revolution. In seeking the truth of God’s word religious leaders of the same era burst the chains of spiritual ignorance that bound them. They cast off a clergy system of synods and presbyteries to assume the blessing of self-government by the scriptures. Their spiritual revolution became a signal to the world that God’s Word alone should rule and instruct men (2 Tm.3:16).

In Jeffersonian tones Thomas Campbell wrote in 1809, “We are persuaded that it is high time for us not only to think, but also to act, to see with our own eyes, and to take all our measures directly and immediately from the Divine standard.” With such words these men returned to the freedom of God’s word.

-Dennis Doughty