Is civil disobedience a biblical concept?

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down just a few days ago --- peacefully. In my opinion this event is extremely important in world politics that will have rippling effects for decades to come. These effects are already apparent as Algeria is bracing for protests inspired by the successful movements in Tunisia and Egypt which over threw their respective governments. Other nations such as Yemen, Sudan, Jordan, Iran and Serbia are struggling to deal with movements inspired by Tunisia and now Egypt. 

Should Christians involve themselves in these sort of movements? 


Great Christian leaders such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, William Wilberforce and Martin Luther King Jr. come to mind, and the answer seems to be as resounding "Yes of course!"

Martin Luther King Jr.

I agree that the answer seems to be an easy one and simple common sense, but a few things in the Bible make me think we should not answer this question so quickly. 

"For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. " 1 Peter 2:13-17

Peter's final command to "Honor the emperor" should haunt us, as we read else where in the book that the church is suffering persecution. 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

This persecution is possibly originating from the Imperial government itself, and in the very least the local and imperial authorities are turning a blind eye to the persecution. Yet Peter is calling for the church to honor their government, not protest because injustice and corruption. 


Which biblical figures practiced civil disobedience? Where they honored for it? 
Absolom was killed while hanging from a tree (2 Samuel 18:15). Probably symbolic that he was under God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23).


What about figures who did not practice civil disobedience in the face of injustice?
Take a look at David's example in the midst of the violence and injustice of King Saul. 

If Christians are to be involved under what circumstances? And what causes?

Who instituted the organized church?

Is the organized church necessary in the Christian faith? I think this question hinges on where the authority and inspiration of the church comes from. Was it Jesus' idea or someone else's? 

How would you summarize the Bible in one word? Four words?

What word(s) would you choose? Love? Grace? Salvation?


J. I. Packer said that if he were to try to use one word to describe the theme and essence of the work as a whole he would use the word: Adoption.


I agree completely with Packer. When I read the bible from beginning to end I saw two main themes of contrast. The first is directly from Packer: Exile vs. Adoption. And the second is Slavery vs. Redemption. These themes are the link between the narratives, law and prophets of the Old Testament and the theology of Jesus, Paul and the apostles in the New Testament. 

When did the apostles "see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom?"

"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." Matthew 16:27-28

Lets make some observations about the text. 

1. Who was Jesus talking to? "His disciples" (16:24), but Jesus said only "some of you standing here" (16:28), therefore not all of them would see. When Matthew says "disciples" he does not necessarily mean just the twelve apostles, though I think we can assume that the twelve were implied to be there. I think it is safe to assume as well that Jesus was including at least one of the twelve in the group that would see him coming in his kingdom. 
2. What is the context? Jesus is explaining what he demands from his followers and giving them perspective and reasons for why they should follow him. (16:24-26)
3. Who is "the Son of Man?" The Son of Man is Jesus himself (16:13-15)
4. What event is "the Son of Man coming in his kingdom?" It seems to be the second coming of Christ, since it is the same event as verse 27 in which Jesus says that he will come with his angels in the glory of the Father to judge the world. (Could possibly be figurative but would be very difficult to justify that)

The second coming of Christ hasn't happened yet and haven't all the apostles died? Did Jesus prophesy falsely then? 

I think we need to take a little bit of a closer look at the text. Specifically Jesus says that some of them will "see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." This implies an event similar to when Jesus ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51), specifically when he descends in the second coming (Acts 1:11). 

"Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. he is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:11-16

Who said "I saw" in this passage? John (Revelation 22:8). Well anticlimactically I think that this is the answer to the question. John saw a vision of the second coming of Christ before he died; he wasn't actually present for the second coming.  From what Jesus prophesied we can conclude that other disciples also saw visions of the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 

Early on the apostles thought that "the kingdom of Israel" was going to be restored in their life time, 

"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?' ". Acts 1:6

They probably thought that Jesus' prophesy supported this idea. But they had both the timing and the fundamental details wrong.