#283 Christianity & Protests

Program #283 “Protests” – 4/2/2017 – Synopsis

Given the rash of protests by those looking to draw attention to their grievances, Christians need to reexamine what the New Testament has to say about protests lest we copy the methods of the world in a futile attempt to further the cause of Christ. Christian protests are certainly more benign than their secular versions, but is it right for Christians to protest at all?

After commenting on some recent protests, I discuss what protests are intended to do – either a means of personal therapy or to influence the public and politicians with a show of force. It is a shallow soteriology that believes a society is changed by the intimidation of numbers, but infants in Christ often assume moral change comes by the power of the masses. Gideon had to learn otherwise. “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands” (Judges 7:2).

My main concluding point is that the Bible instructs Christians to overcome evil by doing good – not by the disruption, the disrespect, the intimidation, the show of force, the rebellion, the strife, the shouting, and the pride that is often the essence of protesting.

Scripture References: Proverbs 27:2, 25:27; James 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:18; Jeremiah 48:29; Matthew 23:12; Ecclesiastes 9:17; Matthew 12:19-20; Exodus 23:2; Romans 1:32; Genesis 19; Acts 4; Revelation 20:8-9; Romans 12:17-21; Ephesians 6:5-6; Luke 9:55; 1 Corinthians 3:1; John 16:7-13; John 8; 1 Corinthians 2:4