In the mid-18th century, the small town of Bethlehem, Connecticut, thrived under a system of farming, trade, and the local Congregational Church. The residents were largely loyal to Great Britain, appreciating the crown’s protection against French threats. However, by 1776, this allegiance had dramatically shifted. Nearly three-quarters of the town’s adult males had taken up arms against British rule, driven by the teachings of their pastor, Joseph Bellamy, who declared the British as “unnatural enemies.” This transformation raises an intriguing question: how did a community of loyal subjects evolve into fervent revolutionaries?
Historians have long debated the primary motivations behind the American Revolution. Was it primarily driven by religious beliefs or the secular influences of Enlightenment thought? Mark Valeri, a prominent scholar and the Reverend Priscilla Wood Neaves Distinguished Professor of Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis, explores this dynamic in his extensive research. His works, including “The Opening of the Protestant Mind” and “Heavenly Merchandize,” delve into religion’s influence during America’s formative years.
Valeri points to Bethlehem’s transformation as emblematic of a broader trend where religious leaders played a pivotal role in shaping revolutionary sentiment. Denominations such as Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Baptist, and Catholic churches supplied the ideological foundation for the movement. He states, “Through the lens of 18th-century Protestantism, we can see how religious conviction did not merely support the Revolution but actively constructed the intellectual and emotional architecture necessary for independence.”
The Spiritual Logic Behind Political Change
A key contribution of religion to the revolutionary movement was the concept of conversion. The 1740s and 1750s witnessed a wave of religious revivals across the American Colonies, where the idea of conversion—turning away from a superficial existence toward a deep, meaningful relationship with God—served as a central theme. This spiritual discourse allowed colonists to rationalize their shifting political loyalties.
Valeri explains that by framing independence as a necessary conversion from tyranny to liberty, religious thought rendered the act of rebellion a righteous duty. One notable figure in this context was Sarah Osborn, a schoolteacher from Newport, Rhode Island, who, after her own conversion, hosted revivals that intertwined spiritual liberation with political freedom.
Meanwhile, preachers like Jonathan Mayhew emphasized the urgent need for American patriots to awaken to the dangers of British tyranny, comparing it to the spiritual awakening that converts must undergo. Mayhew viewed the colonists’ previous acceptance of British rule as a dangerous illusion, akin to a sinner’s false sense of security.
Valeri elaborates, “To understand how conversions could lead to a political revolution, you must recognize that the process involves a self-reflective critique, prompting change. Moreover, conversion offers a promise of reward—a deliverance from tyranny akin to the joy of spiritual salvation.”
Transforming Political Theory into Moral Imperative
While Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke articulated ideas about natural rights and representative government, these concepts often remained abstract. Clergy members, sometimes referred to as the “black-robed regiment,” transformed these secular ideas into a moral and divine mandate. Pastors such as Samuel West of Massachusetts elevated political discourse by framing it as a struggle between good and evil.
Valeri highlights West’s assertion that legitimate political rule must be just and compassionate, grounded in constitutional law. He preached that rulers who governed unjustly, as supported by biblical texts, forfeited their right to authority and became “ministers of Satan.” This rhetorical shift proved significant; it transformed dissent against tax policies into a moral obligation to resist tyranny.
In May 1776, just months before the Declaration of Independence, West delivered a sermon to the General Court of Massachusetts, articulating that the British sought to strip the colonists of their “inalienable rights given by the God of nature as rational beings.” His message resonated deeply, fueling the revolutionary spirit.
As the conflict escalated, bringing hardships like smallpox and starvation to towns such as Bethlehem, religion offered a beacon of hope. Valeri notes that Americans began framing their struggles within a narrative of “sacred purpose,” drawing on the Puritan belief in divine providence. Osborn compared the plight of New Englanders to that of the ancient Israelites, suggesting that just as Israel faced trials before reaching the Promised Land, Americans were undergoing a divine test.
This narrative fulfilled two critical functions. It provided meaning to the suffering endured and instilled optimism; if America was akin to Israel in a divine saga, ultimate victory was assured by God’s intervention.
Valeri cautions against interpreting the Revolution as merely a story of American exceptionalism or religious nationalism. He asserts, “West, Osborn, and their contemporaries emphasized the importance of self-critique. The moral law applies to all nations, not just America, and they were especially critical of slavery.”
Indeed, both Samuel Hopkins, Sarah Osborn’s pastor, and Levi Hart, Bellamy’s son-in-law, actively spoke against slavery, underscoring a broader moral responsibility.
In conclusion, while the American Revolution was fueled by economic grievances, it was equally driven by a religious conviction that transformed political discontent into a moral struggle for independence. Through the lens of conversion, the sanctification of liberty, and the creation of a sacred narrative, religion provided the essential strength that empowered ordinary individuals to rise against an empire and forge a new nation. Nevertheless, Valeri emphasizes that the narrative does not support the notion of America as a uniquely Christian nation. Instead, it illustrates a commitment to justice and equity that extends beyond national identity, rooted in a universal moral framework applicable to all.