Should Christians Resist Tyranny?

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Interestingly enough, I set about to write more regarding whether or not Christians have the right or even duty to resist tyranny when I received notification that this blog had a new subscriber. I was delighted to learn that the new subscriber has a very interesting and in-depth Christian blog where he often shares thoughts and biblical testimony regarding many of the types of things I’m interested in as well. Of special interest is his multi-part series titled “Civil Government: An Exposition on Romans 13:1-7,” written by James M. Wilson and first published in 1853.

Rather than me simply reiterate what Wilson states, I will  present some of the highlights and ask that readers will follow the above link to read the entire exposition for themselves. It’s long and if you’re not used to reading books or articles from the 1800’s, it may be a bit of work to plough through it, but perseverance will be rewarded with insight and information that is, I believe, wholly biblical. One of the important points Wilson makes is that, “Romans 13:1–7 — has been grievously perverted.” I find that fascinating that even in his day, the middle of the 1800’s, he found that the current teaching of Romans 13 had been so far removed from what he believed to be the actual meaning of these verses. How much more than 150 years later is that still true?

The belief that Christians must not ever “resist” anything issued or decreed by the ruling class is how most Christians today view things. Jesus was “passive” (we are often told), therefore His followers must be as well. Is this true?

The general teaching of today is that we should only disobey the government when said government tells Christians to do something that is in direct opposition to God’s revealed law. The book of Acts is normally used as an example where the apostles were forbidden to preach about Christ, but did so anyway (Acts 4). This one is obvious because the command clearly went against God.

I’ve previously discussed aspects of what Paul talks about in Romans 13 in numerous previous posts that can be found at this search result. While I don’t want to go over ground we’ve already been over, I think it’s important to look at things with the prospect of a Biden presidency. Things will very likely mover much further Left than they are currently and we need to be prepared for that.

It is my opinion, based on what the Bible appears to make clear, not simply in Romans 13 or in Peter’s epistle (1 Peter 2:13-17), but in the very life of Jesus and in His apostles, that Christians have given in way too easily to all the lies and misinformation that plagues our world today, too often issued by our government. Instead of standing against these lies, Christians believe that we must simply be “passively obedient.” However, is this really what the Bible teaches us? Wilson takes issue with this mentality.

It seems very clear that an agenda is at work to literally unseat critical thinking and intelligence, replacing it with abject unquestioning obedience to the “state.” Wilson points out that what Paul and Peter were actually referring to were “good” governments in general, not governments that were directed by evil people with evil intent.

For if submission be a duty because magistrates are carrying forward a good work, the peace and happiness of human society, which is the argument Paul useth, it is implied in this that resistance is rather a duty than submission, when they manifestly destroy the public peace and happiness.

To believe that Christians cannot peacefully resist the government when it ventures off into illegal gerrymandering and unconstitutional mandates is to miss Paul’s point entirely. In fact, it appears that Wilson would argue that Christians have a moral and biblical obligation to stand against tyranny when it is exposed or seen. Imagine if Christians stood against the tyranny of Hitler and other dictators? Certainly, a few people did what they could and thank God for them, but clearly not enough did anything to stop the insanity.

Remember that it was all made possible because Hitler told Germans to give up their guns because the government would take care of them. So, Germans gave up their guns and had no recourse when Hitler’s regime began running roughshod over the people’s rights.

Wilson makes a clear distinction between an “unresisting submission” as it relates to government vs the highway robber. In the latter, there is often little recourse if said robber attacks suddenly and with force backed up with some form of weapon. In those cases, it is often (but not always), best to submit and give the thief what they’re after to avoid physical harm. With respect to the government, there should never be an “unresisting submission” especially within the United States because of the fact that this country is a Constitutional Republic.

Violence should always be avoided whenever possible with reference to the government. However, this does not rule out all forms of peaceful, non-violent resistance to governmental policies that are either wholly without merit, illegal, or both. It is because of the failure to teach Christians what the Bible actually says that many have fallen prey to the errant belief that the Christian must always “turn the other cheek,” even though that particular phrase does not mean what it is often said to mean, no more than “Judge not, lest ye be judged” means what many think it means.

If we look at the life of Jesus, it is very clear His only intent was to adhere to every aspect of God the Father’s revealed will. Certainly, that included upholding every aspect of the Mosaic Law. In doing so, Jesus was assured of God the Father’s continued blessing in His life. It was also because of this that Jesus often ran afoul of the religious leaders and even the political leaders of His day.

It is unfortunate that today’s Christian, in general, so firmly believes that Christians must kowtow to all governmental authority unless that government were to specifically say that we cannot “preach Christ and Him crucified.” This is abjectly absurd and the only excuse for it is the average Christian’s lack of understanding what God’s Word actually says and what Jesus’ life (and apostles) actually means. By the way, the devious Left counts on Christians taking the “passive obedient” approach. They see Jesus as a kind of virtuous Gandhi, willing to resist nothing and go along with everything. Clearly, those folks have no critical thinking skills and simply use specific Bible verses as go-tos to form their own erroneous theology that can be held over the head of Christians everywhere.

If we take our situation today; social distancing, masks or face coverings (including face shields), washing our hands constantly, coughing into our arms, the closure of businesses that are considered “non-essential” (including most churches, depending upon the individual state, county or city), and all the rest of it, the freedoms that are guaranteed to us under the Constitution are being set illegally aside with remarkable speed and clarity.

I’d like to remind that the Constitution does not provide us with certain freedoms. It simply recognizes our God-given rights and promises to uphold those rights. There is absolutely no mention or implication of a pandemic clause in the Constitution that allows government officials to set aside our rights under the guise of “keeping us safe.” None whatsoever.

The truth appears to be that those in power had absolutely no desire to allow things to go back to normal after the 15 days. That is abundantly clear. But because we lack real leadership, most folks do not want to buck the system even if it means “peacefully resisting” through non-violent disobedience. I’m reminded again of my own church where the pastor refused to have “in parking lot” services where people stayed in their cars and the message and singing were broadcast over car radios. He said he didn’t want to do that because some in the congregation believed that it would make us appear to be “defiant” in the community. This is patently absurd, with all due respect.

In today’s world, we see a wrong reaction from both the Left and the Right. The Left will actually commit violent criminal activity (Portland, Seattle, and many other places), that leave destruction, injury and death in their wake (riots, lootings, arsons, beatings/murders). This is clearly wrong as many laws are broken and those particular laws exist to protect everyone from criminal behavior.

Those on the right are also at fault because we have kowtowed way too easily. I’m not saying that we need to do what the Left is doing. Violence is never the answer for anything. However, I am saying that there is a huge difference between riotous, violent behavior and peaceful non-violent resistance.

Jesus resisted peacefully. At times, He got into heated exchanges with the religious leaders. On at least one occasion He had some very pointed words for a political leader of His day (cf. Luke 13:32). You’ll no doubt recall the numerous times the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus and set about to do just that. Jesus’ resistance to their leadership was not sinful or wrong. It was necessary.

But some might argue that He rebuked Peter when Peter tried to defend Him on the night of His betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yes, Jesus rebuked Peter, but that was because Peter did not understand that the Father’s specific will for Jesus meant that He would be betrayed, He would be illegally tried and convicted and He would be put to death wrongfully. Peter could not wrap his brain around that.

Paul resisted on at least two occasions that we know of and he did so based on his Roman citizenship, as I’ve previously outlined (Acts 16:37-38 and 22:25-28). At one point, Paul would not leave the area until he was granted an official and full apology by the political leaders of that area who had mistreated him. In essence, Paul was standing up for his rights and calling the political leaders on the carpet. He did not do so out of hatred. He did so based on what was right. When Paul said to “be angry and sin not” (Ephesians 4:26; see also Psalm 4:4), this is what he was referring to. It is not wrong for Christians to be angry. It is wrong to exercise uncontrolled anger that leads to sin. It’s really that simple.

Unrighteousness in the form of illegal mandates and other forms of social inequities should cause a certain level of anger or at least frustration in Christians. The result of that should be a willingness to stand against those things, not give into them through passive obedience as if we have “no choice” in the matter.

To shut down churches and many businesses that are labeled “non-essential” is criminal. It puts people out of work. It renders in-person fellowship (church) obsolete. It tells us that church, which is the most essential institution God created apart from family, can be put on hold and Christians should be content with digital worship and togetherness. It’s not the same. We cannot extend the right hand of fellowship with others (or even a fist-bump). We are social creatures and need the physical interaction with other people. Gathering for in-person church is also a tremendous witness to the world at large.

So, what should Christians be doing today? I believe we should be peacefully resisting. We should not go along with the program simply because the government has issued their unconstitutional fiats. The government literally has no right to keep people under house arrest. They have no right to demand that we wear some form of face coverings. They have no right to force people to social distance. They have no right to make people feel “guilty” or arrest and/or fine people if they do not comply.

Why is it that every year prior to 2020, when the flu season occurred, people were never told to social distance, wear face coverings, etc.? Why is it happening now?

It seems clear to many that this is all happening now because the World Economic Forum is intent on creating what they call a “great reset.” This will markedly change global society so that we will all come to rely on one another in our plight of trying to survive the terrible effects of CV-19. What is fascinating is that the CV-19 virion has never been isolated. It has NOT happened. No one can point to any scientific discovery that purports to highlight the CV-19 virion.

Yet, in spite of this, PCR tests are used throughout the world daily that are said to determine whether or not a person has been infected with CV-19. How can that be if they have yet to isolate CV-19? It is impossible. Even PCR test manufacturers are calling out about the misinformation.

So, if PCR tests continue to apparently find something, what are they finding? They are finding “viral material,” most of which is harmless and non-infectious. This also explains the many false-positives that are occurring and further, it explains why mainstream media and talking heads are solely focusing on the alleged 19 million CASES of Covid. They are not focusing on hospitalizations and/or deaths. Those 19 million cases are touted to enforce a mentality of fear that will make people do whatever the government wants us to do.

They are lying to us because they have an agenda that they want put in place. They are using illegal lockdowns to bring about blind obedience. If Joe Biden officially becomes the next president of the United States (and let’s set aside all the probable voter fraud and massive cheating that occurred), then we can be sure that this type of blind obedience will be pushed even more until our government becomes absolutely totalitarian holding unchecked sway over citizens. Do you want that? Are you willing to stand up to that peacefully resisting the illegal and manipulative mandates and fiats that come from mayors, governors and presidents?

It is really difficult for me, knowing what I know about CV-19, to willingly wear a face-covering because I know I am lying to myself and I am part of the lie that those in power are pushing. To peacefully resist the lies that are being foisted upon us is the duty of every authentic Christian. Will you join in today?

Please take the time read the multi-part article written by James Wilson.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective