Loyalist Preachers During the American Revolution (1765-1783)

In the time leading up to and during the American Revolution (1765-1783), Loyalist preachers defended their stance on remaining loyal to Great Britain utilizing Bible themes and specific verses. Oftentimes, as with the Patriots, these Loyalist preachers took these themes and verses out of context or misquoted them.

Despite violent opposition, these men and women stood firm in their conviction and remained loyal to Great Britain and to God.

They believed they were to honor and submit to the governing authority. They believed this so abundantly that they would have remained loyal even to a tyrannical government.

They reminded others that, historically, Christians have always remained loyal, even in the face of evil. For resisting power was resisting God...

During the Revolutionary era, government and obedience were two of the main conflicts, so it stands to reason that sermons would revolve around this. Gregg L. Frazer tells us, “Ministers who remained loyal to Great Britain argued from the ‘very simply constructed text’ of 1 Peter 2 and the accepted, literal reading of Romans 13.”

1 Peter 2:13-17
Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good; for this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God; honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king.

Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God; therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil—do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same, for he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake, for because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.

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