The Christian Response to Civil Government

An incident occurred last October in Temecula, California in which a seventh grade student was “publically ridiculed by a teacher for reading the Bible.  The classroom assignment had been to read a non-fiction book.  The teacher told the student in front of the class that the Bible was fiction and refused to give him credit for the assignment.”* 

 

This is just one of many stories that have been told over the years of the government’s stance on Christianity and more specifically the gospel message.  It is understandable that emotions tend to make their way into this conversation but if we can put those emotions to the side are we as Christians able to know God’s desire for us in dealing with our civil government?  How should a Christian react to such stories and others like it in which the government seems to be persecuting and censoring the gospel message?  What does the Bible have to say about the Christian’s response to their civil government?  What is civil disobedience?  When is it appropriate to participate in civil disobedience?  Where does God come into the conversation?

 

Paul has been in custody in Caesarea for over two years and is finally given a trial before Governor Festus.  In Acts 25:1-12, Paul’s reaction to the charges, his words to Festus, and his appeal to go before Caesar all give us some insight into how we as Christians should view and react to civil government.  May God guide our hearts and minds as we dig into his Word this week and may we prayerfully be prepared to accept the Holy Spirit’s molding and forming of our hearts.


* http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/01/14/first-grader-told-to-stop-talking-about-bible/?intcmp=latestnews