The Bible And Lawbreaking: When To Obey The State?

The Bible is full of examples of clashes over laws laid down by unjust rulers. For instance, in Exodus 15, the King of Egypt commands the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Purah, to kill Hebrew baby boys. In what is perhaps the first recorded instance of civil disobedience, the midwives refuse to obey the edict. In another instance, Daniel openly flouts a new law by praying in his bedroom with the windows open and is tossed to the lions for his troubles. While the Bible does contain verses about being subject to the governing authorities, it also includes instances of Jesus and his followers breaking the law. Ultimately, the Bible suggests that God's law supersedes man's law.

Civil disobedience in the Bible

The Bible contains numerous examples of civil disobedience, where characters defy the state or a ruler and are regarded favourably for doing so.

In Exodus 1, the Egyptian Pharaoh orders two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Purah, to kill all male Hebrew babies. However, the Bible says the midwives "feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them but let the boys live". The Bible goes on to say that God dealt well with the midwives for their disobedience, and they were rewarded with households of their own.

Another example of civil disobedience is found in the book of Daniel. In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive golden statue and commands everyone to bow down and worship it. Three of Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to obey and are thrown into a blazing furnace, only to be miraculously saved by God.

In Daniel 6, King Darius issues a decree that no one can pray to anyone other than him for 30 days. Daniel openly defies this edict by praying in his bedroom with the windows open and is subsequently tossed into a lion's den, from which he is also rescued by God.

In Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus and brought before the rulers of the Jerusalem council. They are charged with speaking about Jesus and told not to teach in his name. However, they refuse to obey, stating that they "cannot stop speaking about what [they] have seen and heard".

These examples demonstrate that the Bible advocates for civil disobedience when the government's laws or commands are in direct violation of God's laws and commands. Christians are called to resist and work against governments that compel evil and are permitted to disobey when doing so would require them to act contrary to God's teachings.

The Bible's take on minor infractions

The Bible makes it clear that the laws of God supersede the laws of man. However, this does not mean that laws created by governments should be ignored. They are a social contract between citizens and the government.

The Bible also states that citizens should submit to the governing authorities, as they are established by God. However, this does not mean blind obedience. If a law contradicts God's law, then citizens should side with God.

For example, in Daniel 6, the Bible describes how Daniel openly flouts King Darius's law that no one can pray to anyone but him for 30 days. Daniel continues to pray with his windows open and is thrown to the lions as punishment.

Another example is found in Acts 4, where Peter and John are commanded to stop preaching the gospel. They continue to speak of Jesus and are thrown in prison.

The Bible also provides guidance on minor infractions, such as speeding or jaywalking. While these actions may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, they can be considered in the context of loving God and loving your neighbour. For instance, parking in a handicapped spot when you are not qualified could be considered a sin because it goes against loving your neighbour.

Ultimately, the Bible teaches that our moral guide should be God's command to love Him and our neighbours, rather than the laws of the land.

God's law vs. man's law

The Bible makes it clear that God's law takes precedence over man's law. As Peter said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). This means that when there is a conflict between the two, it is our duty to follow God's law first and foremost.

However, this does not mean that we should ignore the laws of man. They are a social contract between citizens, the government, and God. We should follow the laws of man as long as they do not contradict God's laws. For example, if a law tells us to bow down to an idol, it is not a sin to break that law because it goes against God's command to have no other gods before Him.

There are also examples in the Bible where characters break man's laws to follow God's laws. One example is the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Purah, who refused to obey the King of Egypt's command to kill Hebrew baby boys. In another instance, Queen Esther intervened with the king to prevent the destruction of the Jews, even though approaching the king without an invitation was against the law.

Jesus himself broke the law of the land by picking grain on the Sabbath, which was just the first of many provocative, rule-breaking actions. He was ultimately executed as a rebel by the establishment.

So, while it is important to follow the laws of man, the ultimate moral guide for Christians is God's command to love Him and to love our neighbors as ourselves. There may be times when man's law conflicts with this command, and in those situations, we must side with God.

The Bible's view on sin

The Bible makes it clear that sin is the transgression of the law. However, the Bible also makes a distinction between the laws of God and the laws of man.

The laws of God are to be obeyed above all else. God's laws, summarised in the Ten Commandments, are to be obeyed by all, and breaking them is a sin. Jesus himself kept the Ten Commandments and taught others to do the same.

The Bible also states that we are to obey the laws of the land, as they are established by God. Paul writes that we should "be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established". However, this does not mean that we should obey laws that go against God's commandments. In such cases, we should side with God.

The Bible is full of examples of civil disobedience, where individuals chose to obey God's laws rather than those of earthly rulers. For instance, in Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden statue and demands that everyone bow down and worship it. However, three of his subjects, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to do so and are thrown into a fire as punishment.

Another example is found in Acts 4, where Peter and John are commanded to stop preaching the gospel. They continue to speak out, even though it goes against the law of the land, and ultimately end up being thrown in prison.

Ultimately, the Bible teaches that our ethical obligations are dictated by God, not by man-made laws. While we should generally obey the laws of the land, there may be times when they conflict with our religious duties, and in such cases, we should follow God's laws above all else.

Jesus's stance on law-breaking

Jesus is often accused of being a lawbreaker, but the truth is more complex. While he openly broke traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws, he did not break any Old Testament laws.

Jesus was accused of breaking laws concerning the Sabbath several times. However, he did not violate any Old Testament commands, only the interpretations that religious leaders had developed around the biblical commands of keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Jesus' teachings often contrasted the Law of Moses (as interpreted by the Pharisees and scribes) with his own commands, which indicated that he claimed an authority greater than that of the scribes. However, he clarified that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. In doing so, he taught that God sees the heart, and that external conformity to a set of rules is not enough.

Jesus' first public act, along with his disciples, was to break the law by picking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23). This was the first of many provocative, rule-breaking actions. Ultimately, he was executed as a rebel by the establishment, who viewed him as a threat.

Jesus' teachings and actions indicate that he believed in following a higher law or standard than human laws, prioritising God's commands above those of the nation or society.

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