Mike — Interesting reflections. And I think the reason Japan was an exception is because General MacArthur realized that the key to the success of the experiment of liberty in Japan was dependent upon the influence of Christianity; and he desperately pleaded with his countrymen to send missionaries to Japan. Where the law of God abides in the hearts of a people, they do not need as much the external restraints of civil power.

OFT — Yes, I have seen the quote by Washington. And yes, it does demonstrate his belief in the depravity of human nature, and his belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures.

What could be a more unequivocal statement concerning his Christian beliefs? Any obstinacy on the part of this only demonstrates how unwilling some are to put their a priori assumptions that Washington was not a real Christian aside (or treat them merely as their own theories, and not as already-established fact, as they have nothing conclusive) and simply look at the evidence, and follow it where it leads.

As for your Romans 13 post — yes, I would love to read it! I am actually going to write another one (I hope sometime in the near future); it is a subject that I don’t think I treated concisely or satisfactorily enough on my post on this site. When I read yours (which I will do as soon as possible), I will let you know. Thank you.

Ares Vista — Welcome to my blog. Thanks for commenting. I agree with you that one strict government is not best for all people, and that people should have some say in their government. However, it would not be good for any people that is not self-governing (in the sense of “self-controlled and self-regulating”) to have a weak government. Order needs to be maintained in order for society to exist — in order for people to exist, and if that order is not maintained internally, it will automatically be maintained externally. That’s the way the laws of nature are set up.

Again, thank you all for your thoughtful comments.

My wife and I have did some brainstorming on Romans 13, I've also written a post on my blog; let me know what you think.

My view on "submission" may be changing to more of a calvinist interpretation, how about you?

OFT

Have you seen this quote by Washington, at the least it shows he believed in Calvin's depravity of man:

"The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest of purposes. Should, hereafter, those who are intrusted with the management of this government, incited by the lust of power & prompted by the supineness or venality of their Constituents, overleap the known barriers of this Constitution and violate the unalienable rights of humanity: it will only serve to shew, that no compact among men (however provident in its construction & sacred in its ratification) can be pronounced everlasting and inviolable–and if I may so express myself, that no wall of words–that no mound of parchmt can be so formed as to stand against the sweeping torrent of boundless ambition on the one side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other. But [MHi: Waterston Papers]"

-First Inaugural Fragment in Washington's Handwriting.
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/inaugural/fragments.html

-Just a thought from someone ready to turn in for the night.