Lawful Christian Resistance, Part I

Suffering Patiently Before God

As the power and unlimited reach of the secular State grows, it is necessary that Christians revisit and recapture doctrines of Christian resistance.  We say "revisit" because many of these issues have been thoroughly canvassed in the West when it was more Christian.

Luther once jokingly said--with respect to the Pope--that the only part of human anatomy not controlled by the Pontiff was the rear-end.  Nowadays, the same jibe could be made--far more accurately it turns out--over the vast administrative State which is constantly laying down more and more laws, rules, regulations and prohibitions about how we are to live our lives.

Moreover, as the  State has become more secular, and less fearful of the Living God, it has become emboldened to enact laws in direct opposition to the Law of God.  It has given more and more permission, freedom, and liberty to evil men to do whatever their hearts lust after.  But, worse, it has not merely permitted evil licentiousness to flourish: the modern secular State has increasingly moved against Christians by insisting they comply with,  and support, celebrate, and promote evil along with the doers of evil.  The modern State increasingly prohibits and punishes ordinary citizens who resist the evils which the State now promotes.

Once ministers of the Gospel could proclaim to their congregations or audiences that homosexuality is a great evil.  Now they risk punishment by State authorities for such biblical candour.
  Once Christian ministers could teach that marriage is exclusively between a male and a female and that anything other is a perversion of marriage, an ungodly sham.  Nowadays anyone who preaches and teaches such things risks prosecution and punishment for "hate-speech".

In living under such growing tyrannies, Christians must keep firmly in their minds the greater picture.  Christians must never forget that such tyrannies and evils arise because God is chastening and punishing us all for our infidelity to Him.  That chastening falls upon both believers and unbelievers alike.  It is something which Christians must bear with patience, humility, and submission to God's will.  It is essential that we have the conviction that, "We--society collectively, of which we are a part--deserve what is now falling upon us."

As Calvin says, a wicked king is a manifestation of Lord's wrath upon the earth. [Institutes, iv; xx; 25] and cites the following passages in support: Hosea 13; Isaiah 3:4; 10:5; Deuteronomy 28:25-35.  Unjust and oppressive rulers are amongst the curses of God upon a faithless people.  This is never more true than in democratic societies where the people choose their own rulers.  The oppressive or venal ruler will likely rise from amongst our own by our collective choice; or less often, it may be an invading army.  The scripture recognises both as coming from God to chasten us.  And as private citizens were are commanded to be humble, patient, respectful, and submissive.  And we are to be repentant.  We are to plead that in God's judgement He will remember mercy.  We must needs pray the penitent prayers of the King of Ninevah (Jonah 3).

When one considers a terrible evil such as abortion, without doubt the cry of the innocents comes up to God.  Judgement upon such bloodthirsty nations is inevitable--although because God's judgement is often not executed immediately, the whole nation inevitably thinks that it has got away with it.  [For example, when the entire human race became dedicated to continual evil, God yet gave a further 120 years before the Flood fell.  (Genesis 6:3)]  When the judgement does fall, whatever form it takes, the Christian will suffer along with the Unbeliever.  Our responsibility in such times is to bear it with humility, patience, and reverence.

Our fear of, and loving respect for,  the Lord God, in such days as these, becomes a faithful testimony to our neighbours. Our firm challenge--"choose you this day whom you will serve" and our resolved confession--"but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" become the first steps of lawful Christian resistance.