Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer right in plotting to assassinate Hitler?
Was John Brown, the 1860s Abolitionist, right in raiding the armory at Harper’s Ferry?

When is it right for American citizens to exercises their second amendment rights and defend themselves against unconstitutional government?   “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,”  but what is the good thing we must do?

Program #55 answers the question of Civil Disobedience.   This program is a good resource to teach God's people how to respond to aberrant government.   You may know of someone who needs to hear this program because they are either too passive toward the evils in government, or  too militant


May 8 2011 -  Synopsis - Program #55 - Civil Disobedience

 Synopsis:  Program #55 discusses when Christians have the duty to disobey the state.  This is called the doctrine of Civil Disobedience and it is categorized under the doctrines of Civil Government.   Program #55 is to follow up and fill in the gaps of Program #52 “Civil Government.”   The program begins by mentioning some misconceptions by those who pick up arms against the state.   The Zealots in the time of Jesus are a prime example of civil disobedience gone awry.     Confusion about civil disobedience stems from (1) Confusion over the differences in the requirements of the Old Covenant vs. the New Covenant, and (2) Confusion over the difference between the role of the individual and the role of the state.  The program covers the following points:

1.  The New Testament emphasis is not civil disobedience but obedience to the powers that be.
2.   Only the state has the right to the sword
3.   You can sometimes follow the orders of lower magistrates
4.   There are only certain laws of God that, when violated, require us to disobey the state

 

 Scriptures referenced:  Acts 4:19-20;  Judges 3; Mark 15:7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Matthew 23:2-3; Dt. 17:12; Matthew 26:52;  Judges 6; Romans 13:1-7; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:19-23; Deuteronomy 28:36; 1 Samuel 26:8-11; Proverbs 24:11; Proverbs16:14; 1 Kings 18:4; Matthew 10:13-14,16-20