Back to topic listing Forum - Topic: When Should a Christian Disobey the Civil Government?
(Rom. 13:7; Acts 5:27-29)
When a civil government refuses people the liberty to worship and obey God freely, it has lost its mandate of authority from God. Then the Christian should feel justified in disobeying.
Thomas Jefferson believed that when a government began to be tyrannical, it was the right and even the duty of the citizens to rebel against that government. The Christians, however, is called to bear with his goverment wherever possible. Jesus did not call for revolution against Rome, even though it was an oppressive conqueror of Israel. On the other hand, the Apostles refused to obey an order not to preach and teach in Jesus' name (ACTS 5:27-29) Whenever the civil government forbids the practice of things that God has commanded us to do, or tells us to do things He has commanded us not to do, then we are on solid ground in disobeying the government. Blind obedience to government is never right. However difficult or costly it may be, we all must reserve the right to say no to things that we consider oppressive or immoral.
Thanks again everyone
James Frey
AKA Stuck_on_Christ
Stuck_on_christ August 17, 2008 @ 12:28 AM
my point is that if our govrnment did ever become civil then, However difficult or costly it may be, we all must reserve the right to say no to things that we consider oppressive or immoral.
Chaplainnik August 18, 2008 @ 03:02 PM
Thy-word, nice exegesis. All I can say is ditto. (But I'm still a pacifist and would serve in an alternate to the military if required to serve.)
Stuck_on_christ August 18, 2008 @ 04:20 PM
So Thy word And Chaplin Nick you think that what i said is wrong and if you do please explaine Im talking about when the government tells us that we can not preach the gossple or talk about God Im sorry but i feel that if the government told me that i would stand my grounds and say no.
Jlynn August 18, 2008 @ 04:49 PM
Remember John Bunyan? He was told not to preach yet he did it anyway, they threw him in jail for it but he didn't give up either.
Chaplainnik August 18, 2008 @ 05:45 PM
I think y'all got lost on the second half of Thy-word's post. He did agree that 'we ought to obey God rather than men.' James, you are right that we should obey God 'however difficult or costly it may be.' But, that's the point. The government still has authority over us & they can make it very costly if they disagree with what God would have us do. (like Bunyan?)
Moorchild August 23, 2008 @ 08:50 PM
not to sound anti american but i can hardly stand the direction i can see it heading it in!!!!!! I have the horible feelinf that all christians will soon lack the freeedom to be so!!!!
Jesus_rocks777 August 17, 2008 @ 12:22 AM
but i dont think our gov is really all that civil.