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?