Civil Disobedience as God’s Will

In recent weeks the news has been flooded with the protests across the United States that stem from systemic injustice and inequality in the nation. Often, I hear the argument that we are to submit to all authority and no wiggle room is left. Yet there are a number of examples in the Bible of those who questioned and stood up to the rulers of the day and were blessed by God for it.

In just the few examples of peacemakers from the Bible that we have already considered, we can see that there is little room to shirk back. Confrontation is up front and certain in peacemaking. Peacemaking is personal, it is painful, and it is unavoidable as a child of God.

God applauds Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience while maintaining respect and submission to authority is applauded by God. Rosa Parks was arrested for quiet refusal to give up her seat. Her act was a rally cry because she was otherwise a moral and upright citizen. Rosa Parks’s character was the reason that her civil disobedience was effective. She disobeyed and was arrested. She submitted to the authority for her disobedience and won the case upon appeal. Just as Daniel disobeyed the order to bow to the idol of King Darius (Daniel Ch 6) and was found guilty and thrown into the lion’s den, he disobeyed but faced the consequences of his action. Likewise, the king liked and respected Daniel so much he was distressed over the punishment. Daniel too had an impeccable character that turned this disobedience into awareness of the wickedness of the king’s advisors. These are two people who quietly went about their own business and were found to be in contempt of the law of the land. But it is important to note that they submitted to the consequences of their actions. They did not claim exemption from the authority, they merely demonstrated their disagreement with the law.

Respect and Wisdom when Disobeying

What we have are examples of the public disagreement with laws and systems in a respectful and wise manner. In Acts 5, Peter as well was hauled before the Sanhedrin to answer for his disobeying the order not to teach about Jesus Christ. He answered their questions and submitted to the flogging that they ordered for his disobedience. Then Peter rejoiced in his suffering and continued to preach Jesus Christ.

We are permitted and perhaps even encouraged to disagree with the law and rulers of the lands. Rulers are human and law-writers are human, therefore the err just as I do. So, just as Daniel followed the will of God, we should follow the will of God into civil disobedience as well.

Submit vs Submit

Civil disobedience is a response to the Spirit’s disquiet within us. When we know we cannot remain quiet, we must act, respectfully and within the bounds permitted. Interestingly, we have one word in the English translations of the Bible that in Greek is two words. ‘Submit’ means to obey and conform (hypakoúō) as well as arrange in an orderly manner (hypotássō). In Romans 13, Paul talks about this hypotássō or orderly manner when he says to submit to authority. He says to maintain social order. It is the same word used between husband and wife (Eph 5:22), ‘respect and maintain order.’ Children are to hypakoúō or follow commands (Eph 6:1) as are slaves (Eph 6:5), which is the other ‘submit’ meaning to hear from under [positions] and carry out. What confusion language has wrought! The verses from Romans have been thrown at us while ignoring the context. It was in learning the historical context of the letter to the Romans that opened my eyes to this possible misinterpretation of the passage. The Romans were under significant persecution and under an authority of debauchery and exploitative taxation. He wrote to behave in an orderly manner, not to behave as if blindly following orders. (For more study, my reference is biblehub.com by verse and the HELPS Word-studies included on that site.)

Peace begins within us, first with God, then with others. The disquiet that we sense may well be the Holy Spirit nudging us to action. The midwives did not obey Pharaoh (Ex 1:15-21) and the Wise Men did not obey King Herod (Matt 2:1-12). We must seek God’s will and go about our day responding to that nudge, fulfilling His will, not blindly following the blind.