Theology behind this?
Discussion
The man who said it (Jefferson) was a Deist, but the theology behind it is the 1st Commandment.
A few examples:
- Egyptian midwives refusing to murder Hebrew infants
- Daniel's friends refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar
- Rahab protecting the two spies
- the Apostles refusing to cease preaching the gospel
To paraphrase one theologian, sometimes obedience to the highest law (God's) requires disobedience (even resistance) to lower laws (man's).