Biblical Revolution?

Q: With all of the protests in the Middle East, seeking to overthrow their dictatorship governments, what is the Biblical perspective? Doesn't the Bible say that people are supposed to submit to the authority of their government leaders? And doesn't the Bible say that God puts the leaders of governments into their roles? So it would seem that a protest march against, for example, Libya's president, would be sin. Right?

A: You ask a very good question. But the answer may take a little more work than the question! Yes, it's true that Christ-followers are supposed to submit to their governmental authorities and the "laws of the land." (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17) Many people read various translations of Romans 13:1-2 and conclude that all governments are instruments of God. This is not an accurate understanding of what the Scripture says.

All governments run by mankind are concessions that God has made. So God either deliberately puts someone in office, or He allows someone to take office. We could talk about that the difference is, but it isn't difficult to see in Chronicles, for example, instances where God allowed evil rulers to take over the Israelites because they had become ungodly people. Many people today don't want to think about God having that kind of character. But the fact of the matter is that it is who God is. It is His nature and character to use evil rulers to bring about change in the people. Living as slaves or under oppression of evil dictators caused the Israelites to have a change of heart, turn to God, cry out to God and recommit themselves to God. (And when they did, God would bring about regime change or would at least give them a benevolent dictator.)

So the problem that we have here is not so much an evil government as it is how God's people respond to that evil government. We are to obey the laws of man as long as they do not contradict the laws of God. So what does that mean? It means we respect the authority of those discharged to serve and protect, even if it means being beaten, jailed, or even put to death. (Consider the role of martyrs.) But, if there is a legal option for change, we are certainly free to use it. Consider that the Apostle Paul, when falsely accused and sentenced exercised his rights as a Roman citizen to make his appeal to Caesar.

Are the protests in the Middle East sin then? From what I have read and heard about them, I believe that for the most part, they're not. They would become sin if the protesters became law breakers. But a peaceful petition to a government for changes in laws, increases in freedoms, etc. could feasibly be done without sinning. So the question for the protesters is whether or not they're willing to confine their protests to the boundaries of the law.

It would be a good idea to remember here that while God isn't in favor of slavery, He does not provide those who are enslaved with an entitlement to freedom. Rather He tells slaves to obey and honor their masters. A Christian living under an evil dictatorship would do well to keep that in mind.

So, for example, what should the people of Libya do? I would advise them to continue to put as much pressure on their government as they can ---- without actually sinning or breaking legitimate laws. I would advise them to pray for the evil leaders to have a change of heart. I would advise them to ask God to intervene. But I would tell them to be obedient, respectful and work honorably under the evil ruler(s). No matter how offensive we find evil to be, we are still obligated to honor God with our response to it.