Our American Republic

“In a monarchy, citizens submit to a king.

In a republic, the citizens are the king.”👑

Bill Federer superbly clarifies this distinction in his book Silence Equals Consent.

https://www.swrc.com/product/silence-equals-consent-the-sin-of-omission/?srsltid=AfmBOoplWOeCdFdy26OaPKTZfzSJvgmSgnWifP4xEnmQGnFG7WhVVaGM 

When Christians quote Romans 13, which says, “Let everyone be subject to governing authorities,” too often it's misused as an unqualified endorsement of obedience to rulers. Federer warns that understanding Romans 13 in a republic is different from applying it in a monarchy. In a monarchy, people are subjects of someone else’s will. In a republic, we citizens consent to be governed, and we bear responsibility as the ultimate sovereign.

So the question becomes: are we passive subjects, or active citizens? If Christians remain silent while tyranny or unbiblical policies creep in, Federer argues we, in essence, admit them—and surrender our responsibility as the self-governing king. 

God calls us not to passive obedience but to righteous stewardship of the authority He’s entrusted to us as self-governing citizens. May we engage, speak up, vote, hold rulers accountable—and recognize that in our republican system, we do not yield sovereignty to a monarch, but steward it ourselves.

“Speak now or forever lose your freedom.” —William J. Federer