Social Justice, Civil Disobedience, Unity, and the Bible
Great Power Point slides are available. Email jaykaymarsh@yahoo.com.
There is no shortage of issues dividing our country and our church today. Here is a list. Feel free to add to it: gun control, abortion, vaccines, climate change, drug legalization, gay marriage, immigration, transgender rights, universal healthcare, policing, racial inequality, income inequality, required masks, tax cuts, women’s ordination. Should we, as Christians get involved in these issues? And to what extent should we get involved? What does the Bible teach? Lets see.
In Jesus’ long list of woes against the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Matthew 23:13-36), he rebukes them for neglecting “the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness” (v.23). There it is; first in a list of the top 3. Jesus was essentially quoting Micah 6:8 in which the prophet says that what the Lord requires of us is to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
In the Old Testament alone, “justice” is mentioned hundreds of times in reference to the systemic oppression of vulnerable populations at the hands of the rich and powerful. Here is a very small sampling:
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free…” (Isaiah 58:6)
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is right and just. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3)
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” (Jeremiah 22:13)
“There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts…But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:12, 24)
From these verses it seems clear to me that the Christian should protect the vulnerable and oppressed. But to what extent? Are these commands given for me to carry out as an individual? Are they given for the church to carry out corporately? Are they given to the government to carry out? If so, should Christians work politically to compel the government.
There is strong Biblical evidence that each of us is to individually care for the vulnerable and oppressed. Jesus story in Matthew 25:31-46 about the sheep and the goats and caring for “the least of these” it is pretty clear.
There is strong Biblical evidence that our church should care for the vulnerable and oppressed. In Acts 4 the early church members donated and the church cared for those in need. In Acts 6 the early church was caring for so many widows that the apostles did not have time to preach. Our church should care for the vulnerable and oppressed.
Do these commands apply to governments? On that question the evidence is less clear. In Bible times the idea that governments would help the vulnerable and oppressed was non-existent. There is no Bible text that says, “And Peter and John formed a political action committee to raise money to run ads in the Jerusalem Times and to lobby the Sanherdern to care for the poor.” So we need to look at the principle behind these texts and see if we can apply it to our time.
Is it enough for me to help orphans and widows I personally see? Probably not. What we should see in these passages is not just a clear concern for vulnerable populations, but also that they are identifying large scale, systemic issues that are not solved by way of mission trips, church service projects, or benevolence. These verses and many others mention things like wages, taxes, greed among the rich, and bribery.
Many Christian say that individuals and churches are supposed to help the poor and needy, but not try to do so through political processes nor demand that the government do so. This ignores the context of these Bible passages and the problems they mention. Injustices caused (and maintained) by political forces cannot be remedied by individuals and churches.
Following the logic of these verses, it seems clear to me that the Bible commands Christians to personally protect the vulnerable in their sphere of influence and allows the Christian to convince others and the government to protect the vulnerable and oppressed.. So look back at your list of divisive issues. Circle all the ones that deal with protecting the vulnerable and oppressed. Those are the issues the Bible commands Christians to be personally involved in and allows Christians to work to convince others, including the government.
What if the Christian works to convince and not enough people listen. Should the Christian go even farther and engage in protests or civil disobedience for this or any just cause? The Bible is pretty clear.
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1–7).
When Paul wrote this the emperor of Rome was Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, also known simply as Nero. The emperor was not known for being a moral and ethical person, to say the least. In AD 64 the great Roman fire occurred, with Nero himself being suspected of arson. In his writings, the Roman senator and historian Tacitus recorded, “To get rid of the report [that he had started the fire], Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace” (Annals, XV).
Even under the reign of a ruthless and godless emperor, Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells his readers to be in subjection to the government. Moreover, he states that no authority exists other than that established by God, and that rulers are serving God in their political office.
Peter writes nearly the same thing in one of his two New Testament letters:
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13–17).
Both Paul’s and Peter’s teachings have led to quite a few questions from Christians where civil disobedience is concerned. Do Paul and Peter mean that Christians are always to submit to whatever the government commands, no matter what is asked of them? Yes, If that was all the Bible said on the matter. But the Bible says more. What do these people in the Bible have in common: Hebrew midwives, Rahab, Saul’s soldiers, Obediah, Jehosheba, Vashti, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abendigo, Peter, and John have in common. They broke the law of the land. Let’s look at some examples of civil disobedience in the Bible and see if we discover the principle of when civil disobedience is appropriate.
In Exodus 1, the Egyptian Pharaoh gave the clear command to two Hebrew midwives that they were to kill all male Jewish babies. An extreme patriot would have carried out the government’s order, yet the Bible says the midwives disobeyed Pharaoh and “feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17). The Bible goes on to say the midwives lied to Pharaoh about why they were letting the children live; yet even though they lied and disobeyed their government, “God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them” (Exodus 1:20–21). Its Biblically OK to nonviloently break laws that require you to kill someone.
In Joshua 2, Rahab directly disobeyed a command from the king of Jericho to produce the Israelite spies who had entered the city to gain intelligence for battle. Instead, she let them down via a rope so they could escape. Even though Rahab had received a clear order from the top government official, she resisted the command and was redeemed from the city’s destruction when Joshua and the Israeli army destroyed it. Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws to bring down evil governments
The book of 1 Samuel records a command given by King Saul during a military campaign that no one could eat until Saul had won his battle with the Philistines. However, Saul’s son Jonathan, who had not heard the order, ate honey to refresh himself from the hard battle the army had waged. When Saul found out about it, he ordered his son to die. However, the people resisted Saul and his command and saved Jonathan from being put to death (1 Samuel 14:45). Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws capricious laws that kill people
Another example of civil disobedience in keeping with biblical submission is found in 1 Kings 18. That chapter briefly introduces a man named Obadiah who “feared the Lord greatly.” When the queen Jezebel was killing God’s prophets, Obadiah took a hundred of them and hid them from her so they could live. Such an act was in clear defiance of the ruling authority’s wishes. Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws to prevent the innocent from being killed.
In 2 Kings 12. Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, began to destroy the royal offspring of the house of Judah. However, Joash the son of Ahaziah was taken by the king’s daughter, Jehosheba, and hidden from Athaliah so that the bloodline would be preserved. Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws to prevent the innocent from being killed
Esther 1:10-12, “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws to protect your modesty.
Daniel records a number of civil disobedience examples. The first is found in chapter 3 where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol in disobedience to King Nebuchadnezzar’s command. The second is in chapter 6 where Daniel defies King Darius’ decree to not pray to anyone other than the king. In both cases, God rescued His people from the death penalty that was imposed, signaling His approval of their actions. Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws that force you to worship false gods.
In the New Testament, the book of Acts records the civil disobedience of Peter and John towards the authorities that were in power at the time. After Peter healed a man born lame, Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and put in jail. The religious authorities were determined to stop them from teaching about Jesus; however, Peter said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19–20). Later, the rulers confronted the apostles again and reminded them of their command to not teach about Jesus, but Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws that prevent you from spreading the gospel
One last example of civil disobedience is found in the book of Revelation where the Antichrist commands all those who are alive during the end times to worship an image of himself. But the apostle John, who wrote Revelation, states that those who become Christians at the time will disobey the Antichrist and his government and refuse to worship the image (Revelation 13:15) just as Daniel’s companions violated Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to worship his idol. Its Biblically OK to non-violently break laws that require you to worship false gods.
What conclusions can be drawn from the above biblical examples? The guidelines for a Christian’s civil disobedience can be summed as follows: 1, Christians should resist a government that commands or compels evil and should work nonviolently within the laws of the land to change a government that permits evil. 2, Civil disobedience is permitted when the government’s laws or commands are in direct violation of God’s laws and commands. 3, If a Christian disobeys an evil government, unless he can flee from the government, he should accept that government’s punishment for his actions. 4. Christians are certainly permitted to work to install new government leaders within the laws that have been established.
How about a couple application questions? Is it Biblically acceptable to go 70mph on highway NN from Wausau to Marathon City to pick strawberries? It’s a wide, straight road. There is no one else on it. Clearly it is not Biblically acceptable. It is breaking the law of the land and it is not compelling me to break God’s law. I know wearing masks is a device issue, but I will go there anyway. Is it Biblically acceptable to not wear a mask while shopping at Wal-mart. Clearly it is not Biblically acceptable. It is breaking the governor’s order and it is not breaking God’s law. (There are many exceptions to the mask order. If we see someone not wearing a mask, we should assume the best and assume that person meets one of the exceptions.) Back in March, should we have disobeyed the Governor’s Safer at Home Order and had in-person worship for more than 10 people. This one is less clear. The Christian can only disobey the government if the government requires the person to break God’s laws or commands. Is this similar to Peter and John disobeying the Sanhedren’s order to stop preaching? I think we did the right thing. We could still preach, we just had to do it in a different way.
Back to my original question. Should Christians engage in civil disobedience to convince the government to care for the vulnerable and oppressed? I don’t think so. Government laws and policies may not protect the vulnerable and oppressed, but the laws and policies do not require the Christian to break God’s laws and commands, so the Christian should obey them. (S)He should work to change them, but obey them
Should the Christian engage in political protests? The Bible does not prohibit it, peaceful protests are not against the law of the land or God’s law. Christians should not engage in violent or destructive behavior. Protests that damage property are in violation of the eighth commandment. Protests that injure police officers or other individuals violate God’s command to, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
While working for justice for the vulnerable and oppressed is important to the Christian, I believe there are factors that may lessen the Christian’s involvement. One limiting factor may be priorities. In Matthew Jesus says the second command is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” What is the first command? It is to, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.” Loving God is more important than loving your neighbor. We must take care of our relationship with Jesus first. If our involvement in justice for the vulnerable interferes with our own relationship with Jesus, we must drop the fight for justice. First things first, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…”
Another limiting factor may be gospel effectiveness. In I Corinthians 8 Paul talks about not being a stumbling block to the week. Even though there is nothing wrong with eating meat, Paul says, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” And in the next chapter, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” It is our right to work for any just cause. But if that right causes some to be offended and not listen to the Gospel, then we have made a mistake. We must ask ourselves, “Will my involvement in this cause offend so many people that I cannot witness for the Gospel?” Justice now is not the primary goal, saving people eternally is. There were many injustices in Jesus time: slavery, income inequality, racial inequality, torture, corrupt government. Jesus did not spend a lot of time fixing those ills. He did spend time drawing people to Himself. Let’s draw people to Jesus by Lifting High the Cross.
Closing Hymn, #362, Lift High The Cross.
In these divisive times it is difficult to stay united. We have to work to stay united. The Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge stood from 1855 to 1897. It spanned 825 feet of the Niagara River 2.5 miles downstream of the falls. It was 250 feet above the water. It had two levels, one for trains, one for carriges and walkers. It could carry a load of 410 tons. It started with a kite string. The current was to swift to take a rope across in a boat, so a boy flew a kite across the river. The two sides were now connected by a kite string. They attached a bigger string to the kite string and pulled it across. To the string they attached a rope and pulled it across. To the rope they attached a small cable and pullet it across. To the small cable that attached a bigger cable and pulled it across. To the big cable they attached two cables that could hold 410 tons and pulled it across. From the two cables they hung the bridge. Where there was once an impassible chasm there is now a bridge you could stroll across with ease. It all started with a kite string. Our church is divided today by politics, masks, women’s ordination, our last board meeting. Find someone today, someone you disagree with, and send them a kite string. It might be as little as saying, “Hi.” That conversation may lead to a longer conversation, which may lead to an invite to Sabbath dinner, which may lead to friendship, and the chasm between you could be bridged by one small act. We have far more that united us than divides us. Jesus died to save us. He’s coming soon. The world needs to know.
Given August 8 in Wausau, WI
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 1:17, Romans 13:1, I Corinthians 9:22
Closing Hymn: #362, Lift High The Cross
Social Justice, Civil Disobedience, and the Bible
Sermon Notes
Intro: There is no shortage of issues dividing our country and our church today. Here is a list. Feel free to add to it: gun control, abortion, vaccines, climate change, drug legalization, gay marriage, immigration, transgender rights, universal healthcare, defunding the police, racial inequality, income inequality, required masks, tax cuts, women’s ordination.
____________________________________________________________________
Question 1: Should the Christian get involved in divisive issues. If so, to what extent? Consider the following Bible verses: Matthew 23:23, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:6, Jeremiah 22:3, Jeremiah 22:13, Amos 5:12 and 24, Matthew 25:31-46, Acts 4:35, Acts 6:1
Answer 1: Answer 1: The Bible ______________ Christians to personally protect the vulnerable in their sphere of influence and the Christian to convince others and the to protect the vulnerable and oppressed.
Go back to the intro and circle all the ones that deal with protecting the vulnerable and oppressed. These are the issues to focus on.
Question 2: Should the Christian go even farther and engage in protests or civil disobedience for this or any just cause? Consider the following Bible verses: Hebrews 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13–17, Exodus 1:15-18, Joshua 2:1-4, I Samuel 14:43-45, I Kings 18:4, II Kings 11:1, Esther 1:12, Daniel 3:12, Daniel 6:10, Acts 4:19-20, and Revelation 13:15
Civil Disobedience Conclusion 1: 1. Christians should a government that commands or compels and should work within the _______of the land to a government that permits evil.
Civil Disobedience Conclusion 2: Civil disobedience is when the government’s laws or commands are in of God’s laws and commands.
Answer 2a: Government laws and policies may ______ ___________the vulnerable and oppressed, but the laws and policies do not the Christian to______________ God’s laws and commands, so the Christian should them. (S)he should work to __ them, but __ them.
Answer 2b: The Bible allows it. ___ protests are __ against ___ law or ___ law. Christians should not engage in _____ behavior. Protests that __________ ___________________are in violation of the ______________ commandment. Protests that injure _________________ or other individuals violate God’s command to, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Limiting Factor 1: _________________________. If our involvement in __________ for the vulnerable ________________ with our own _________________ with ____________ we must _____________ the fight for justice. (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:37)
Limiting Factor 2:___________________________. It is our right to work for any _________ cause. But if that right causes some to be _____________ and not listen to the _____________, then we have made a _____________ (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
