Christianity And Civil Law: A Complex Relationship

Christians are generally expected to obey the laws of the land and honour their leaders. Romans 13:1-7 states that everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. However, this obedience is predicated on the condition that the laws of the land do not contradict God's laws. In Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles defy the authorities of their day, saying, We must obey God rather than men. This highlights that Christians can disobey earthly rulers when the laws of the land contradict the laws of God.

Christians should honour and submit to authorities

> Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

Paul, who wrote this passage, was under the rule of the Roman Emperor Nero, widely considered to be one of the worst Roman emperors. Despite this, Paul recognised the Roman government's rule over him. Christians should therefore also respect the authorities that have been placed over them, as they are placed there by God.

Jesus himself also affirmed that his followers should pay taxes, as did the Apostle Peter, who encouraged obedience to secular authorities. Titus also tells Christians to be obedient and submissive to rulers and authorities.

Christians should therefore honour and submit to authorities, as long as they do not contradict God's word.

Christians can disobey earthly rulers

It is important to understand the complex relationship between Christianity and civil disobedience, as it is a topic that has sparked debate and shaped historical events. Christians are generally expected to respect and obey the laws of the land, but there are circumstances in which civil disobedience is justified from a Christian perspective.

Christians recognize that their ultimate allegiance is to God and his commandments, which at times may conflict with the laws of the land. This is rooted in the biblical principle that God's authority supersedes that of any earthly ruler or government. In the Book of Acts, the apostles boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than human beings!" (Acts 5:29). This statement sets a precedent for Christians, indicating that when human laws contradict God's laws, Christians have a duty to obey God first.

A key example of this is in the book of Daniel, where Daniel's three friends refuse to worship the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, despite the consequence being thrown into a blazing furnace. Their disobedience to the king's command was an act of faithfulness to God, trusting that He would deliver them, which He did miraculously (Daniel 3).

Throughout history, Christians have often found themselves having to take a stand against unjust laws that contradict their faith. For instance, during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, many Christians participated in acts of civil disobedience to protest racial segregation and discrimination, seeing these practices as contrary to the gospel of love and equality taught by Jesus Christ.

Similarly, in the face of oppressive regimes, Christians may find themselves needing to resist and speak out against tyranny and injustice. Disobeying earthly rulers in such contexts can be an act of courage and a way to bear witness to the gospel, even if it carries personal risks.

In conclusion, while Christians are generally expected to respect and obey the laws of the land, there are situations in which disobedience is justified. When human laws conflict with God's commandments, Christians are called to stand firm in their faith and obey God rather than man. This does not imply a general license to break laws, but rather a thoughtful and prayerful discernment of when obedience to God requires disobedience to earthly authorities. Christians are called to be good citizens, but their ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom, which shapes their actions and decisions regarding earthly laws and rulers.

Christians should obey the government

> Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

This passage makes clear that Christians are to obey the government that God places over them. God created the government to establish order, punish evil, and promote justice. Christians are to obey the government in everything, from paying taxes to obeying rules and laws, and showing respect. Failing to do so is tantamount to showing disrespect towards God.

This is further supported by Titus 3:1, which tells Christians to be obedient and submissive to rulers and authorities. The Apostle Peter also encourages obedience to secular authorities, stating that we are to be subject to every human institution, leaders, governors, etc. (1 Peter 2:13-17).

Jesus also affirmed that his followers should pay taxes (Mark 12:13-17). As a general rule, Christians should honour and submit to the authorities that have been placed over them. God is orderly and desires that we live at peace with one another. The laws of the land are set up so that we will have orderly and peaceful societies.

However, it is important to note that this obedience to earthly authorities has its limits. Christians are expected to disobey and honour God instead when the laws of the land contradict God's commands. For example, Peter and the apostles defied governmental authorities by continuing to speak about Jesus, even when they had been instructed not to (Acts 5). They responded by saying, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). In such instances, Christians are still expected to be respectful of their authorities, even when disobeying them.

Christians should pay taxes

> "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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honour to whom honour is owed."

Jesus also affirmed that His followers should pay taxes (Mark 12:13-17). In Matthew 22:17–21, the Pharisees asked Jesus:

> "'Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.' They brought Him a denarius, and He asked them, 'Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied. Then He said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s'."

Christians are called to be good citizens, and paying taxes is part of that duty. While Christians are ultimately citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), they are also citizens of this world and are called to interact in a way that glorifies God. This includes honouring our leaders and obeying the laws of our lands.

However, it is important to note that there may be instances when the laws of the land contradict the laws of God. In such cases, Christians are expected to disobey earthly rulers and obey God's laws. For example, in Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles defied the governmental authorities of their day by continuing to speak about Jesus, even though they had been instructed not to. They responded by saying, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

Christians should peacefully resist unjust laws

Christians are expected to obey the laws of the land and thereby honour God. However, when the laws of the land contradict the laws of God, Christians can disobey earthly rulers. This is supported by Acts 5:29, which states: "We must obey God rather than men".

The apostles were no strangers to persecution at the hands of the governing authorities. Despite their best efforts to comply with the law and show respect to rulers, they were jailed, beaten, and in some cases put to death.

Christians should show all due respect to governments and authorities and do their absolute best to obey the secular laws. However, when those secular laws violate the higher law of God, they must peacefully resist such unjust laws.

An example of this is the early Christians' refusal to worship Roman idols. They were severely punished for this, with John the Apostle being exiled to Patmos during the persecution under Domitian (AD 90-96). Despite these persecutions, Christians remained peaceful, imitating the passion of Jesus Christ, who offered no physical resistance to His persecutors.

In conclusion, Christians should peacefully resist unjust laws by obeying God's laws over those of earthly rulers when the two conflict. This resistance should be done in a respectful and non-violent manner, accepting the consequences of their actions.

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