Should Christians Protest Politicians?

Last updated on: December 26, 2016 at 10:13 am by Jack Wellman

Should Christians Protest Politicians? 2016-12-26T10:13:58-06:00 Jack Wellman

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What do you think? Is it right for Christians to protest politician’s once they’re in office or while running for office?

God-Given Authority

The Bible clearly tells us, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1), and “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Rom 13:2). What the Apostle Paul means is that those in authority are “God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rom 13:4). This doesn’t say, “if they are perfect” or “if you voted for them.” When Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, he told Jesus he had the power of life or death over Him, but Jesus corrected Pilate by telling him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). The sovereignty of God is written all over this. Those who are in power, even those who are less than perfect, are there because God has appointed them, which is why Paul wrote, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1st Tim 2:1-2). There is nothing in the Bible about attacking politicians, slandering their name, and insulting someone who voted differently than we did, but can we protest politicians?

God’s Sovereignty

God placed man in the Garden in order that he would “work it and keep it” (Gen 2:15), not to pollute it or destroy it. Instead of being good stewards of the earth, we’ve raped it, stripped it, burned it, and consumed just about everything that we can think of. By polluting the planet and are bringing ourselves closer to extinction, we’ve failed to do what God commanded Adam to do. All we can do today is to support or vote for those candidates that will respect the earth and the earth’s inhabitants but we must understand that it is God Who has placed in office whom He pleased, but sometimes God allows evil rulers to be in place as part of His judgment on nations. Ancient Israel is a supreme example. God gave them the kings that they deserved and the evil these kings did were used by God for His own good purposes (Gen 50:20), but undoubtedly, it is God Who “changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan 2:21) and so it is “by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Dan 4:17). Believer’s understand that no matter who is in office or what good or evil they do, it will ultimately be for the best (Rom 8:28).

Salt and Light

Jesus told believers that they are to be salt and light in this dead and decaying world that is living in spiritual darkness. We must be salt to those around us and bring light into the darkness so that those still living in darkness might see the light of Christ in us. We too were once in darkness and held captive by the god of this world (2nd Cor 4:3-4) being dead in our sins (Eph 2:1-2), but now we are called the children of light (1st Thess 5:5) who are supposed to go into the darkness to bring others into the light. Being salt and light never prohibits the Christian from voting for those political candidates who support issues that they support like being prolife, however Christians must “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1st Pet 2:13-15), however “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1st Pet 2:16), so protesting politicians or their platforms is certainly not disturbing the peace but is actually part of the peace, however this does not mean we should protest by using violence because we’re commanded to pray for those who abuse us, despise us, and hate us (Matt 5:43-48). Those who take to the streets to protest but end up destroying, looting, and burning businesses and police vehicles are not really protesters…they are domestic terrorists. Obviously, Christians are not called to do that and in fact, are commanded from doing such things.

Civic Rights and Responsibilities

I have never endorsed a political candidate from behind the pulpit or speak for the church in general. Instead, I would ask that each person vote their own conscience and vote for the person that they believe holds their values. It is our legal right to support or vote for the candidates of our choice, but it is not our Christian duty to protest in any way other than by peaceful means, because that is contrary to the biblical command to “live peaceably with all” (Rom 12:18). Jesus said that others will know we are His disciples by our love for one another (John 13:15), not by our political platform or who we support for political office. Get involved and vote and “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt 22:21), but with the recognition that our first obligation is to seek first the kingdom of God, meaning we seek the King of that kingdom above all things earthy.

Conclusion

In conclusion we ask, “Is it right for Christians to protest politician’s once they’re in office or while running for office?” There is nothing that says we cannot do so, but we must do so in a peaceful manner and never resort to violence. If there is injustice, we should speak out, but at the same time, we remember that God says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:19-21).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

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