Common sense is all too uncommon these days. But, on this day in 1776, it was all the rage. This is the day Thomas Paine published his pamphlet Common Sense, calling for American independence from Britain. Nearly 500,000 copies were sold which is hard to imagine for that time period. Nearly two million people were in the 13 colonies.1 Money must have been scarce yet the pamphlet was in high demand.
In the pamphlet, Paine presented arguments detailing the atrocities of England against the people. “They have fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.”2
While Paine was correct in his assessment of England, he tended to be wrong in most other areas, proving that he lacked common sense. His greatest failure was in regard to Christianity and the Word of God.
In The Age of Reason, Paine wrote, “My own mind is my own church. All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.”3
Concerning the Bible, Paine said, “it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel.”4
Paine caused pain — great pain among believers and unbelievers alike. We must remember that the general atmosphere of the early colonies was extremely religious and moral, even though everyone could not be classified as a believer. He was shunned for his comments which offended the moral society in general. When he died, only six people attended his funeral.
The phrase common sense isn’t found in the pages of Scripture. However, it is certainly alluded to! Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”
John MacArthur comments that this “work of the law written in their hearts” is “that instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated. In addition to an innate awareness of God’s law, men have a warning system that activates when they choose to ignore or disobey that law.”5 This is common sense, written on the hearts of all people. Common sense says, “Don’t violate this! If you do, it’s going to spell big trouble.” However, as I said in the opening statement, common sense is all too uncommon.
Romans 1:28, 32 says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient…(32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” When common sense is violated, judgment is inevitable.
Basic common sense gifted by God is found in Proverbs 8:5-14. “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. (6) Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. (7) For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (8) All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. (9) They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. (10) Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. (11) For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. (13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.”
Thomas Paine lacked this. Many others do as well. As Christians, let’s show the world the beauty and simplicity of God’s common sense.
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
2https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-common-sense
3Thomas Paine; et al. (1824). The Theological Works of Thomas Paine. R. Carlile. p. 31. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015.
4Ibid.
5MacArthur Bible Commentary, copyright 2005; downloaded for use on e-sword.
