A visitor to Gospel Gazette Online posed the question, “Is it wrong for Christians to protest?” Right and wrong, of course, relates to what does the Bible instruct, and more specifically for the Gospel Age in which we live, we must turn for instruction to the New Testament portion of the Bible (Romans 7:6-7; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14). The New Testament guides those who will consult it about salvation, Christian worship, Christian living, Christian service, the Christian home, and Christian doctrine.
The New Testament teaches that Christians are obligated to abide by the laws of civil government. “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1 NKJV).
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)
The only exception for the child of God in obeying the laws of the land concerns when the law of God and the law of the land directly contradict each other. In those instances alone, the Christian must defer to the higher law of God. For instance, when the apostles were forbidden to teach or preach any longer in the name of Jesus Christ, they defied that ungodly decree and chose to obey Almighty God instead. “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20). “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:27-29).
Any protest, then, in which a child of God might participate must first be lawful. Secondly, the child of God must consider how his or her participation in a protest will reflect on him or her as a Christian, upon the churches of Christ and on Jesus Christ Himself. Christians must conduct themselves in such a way that they exhibit the finer qualities of being children of God so that non-Christians will be drawn to God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16; cf. Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 2:9). One of the qualifications for being an elder similarly says that “…he must have a good testimony among those who are outside…” (1 Timothy 3:7).
In the third place, the reason for which one may be protesting would need to be compatible with biblical teaching. It is conceivable that a Christian might involve himself or herself in a lawful and peaceful protest or demonstration against abortion, homosexuality or some other immorality out of harmony with the Bible.
No, it is not necessarily wrong for a Christian to protest. However, it could be wrong for a Christian to protest or demonstrate if doing so is in violation of the law. Civil disobedience is only permitted biblically when it is obligatory to do so. It could be wrong for a Christian to protest if it will reflect unfavorably upon Christianity or if the reasons for the protest are out of harmony with biblical instruction.
