#324 A Holy No: The Christian and Civil Disobedience

The Good Citizen Podcast

Due to a quickly changing culture, many American Christians are facing increasing tensions between their faith and legal requirements at school and work, in the public square, and even in our homes and ministries. In my experience, analyzing a question and developing a plan or procedure prior to a crisis is the best approach. So, according to Scripture, is it appropriate for a Christian to practice civil disobedience? If so, what are the practical steps for working through a conflict between Biblical commands and government mandates and even engaging in civil disobedience? Here are some thoughts on when and how to say a “holy no.”

Key Principles

1. Our default position is submission.
2. Obedience to God may mean disobedience to government.
3. Disobey in the right way.

Key Steps:

1. Review Scripture and determine if the law or mandate clearly violates the text of Scripture or a careful application of Biblical principles.
2. (If the answer to Step 1 is yes) Request an accommodation for your beliefs through meetings, public statements, and even litigation.
3. (If Step 2 fails) Respectfully disobey with a goal of accommodation or change.

Takeaways:

• “I don’t like it” is insufficient for civil disobedience.
• Biblical and historical examples of Christian civil disobedience.
• Reflections on the church’s response to the 2020 COVID lockdowns.
• The Nuremberg trials as a reminder of the importance of civil disobedience and a higher law.
• For American Christians, the refusal to follow an arguably unconstitutional law can be an appeal to a higher law. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery bus, she did so in violation of a local ordinance but in furtherance of constitutional rights.
• That said, you the person does not equal we the people (explained further in the episode).
• How these Biblical principles push back on anarchy and totalitarianism.

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