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By T. M. Moore|Published Date: July 21, 2010
The first Christians were described as “opposing the doctrine of Caesar” because they were determined to submit to Jesus as their King (Acts 17:1-9). Their resolute determination not to go with the flow and honor Caesar as the ultimate authority on earth cost them dearly: wave after wave of persecution swept over the Christian Church for over 200 years. Our forebears in the faith have, throughout the ages, recognized the necessity of resisting and even disobeying the powers-that-be. But on what grounds? By what means? And to what ends? Here are some resources you can consult to explore this topic more completely:
“A Time to Resist,” by T. M. Moore
“A Higher Law: When Christians Should Disobey,” by Charles Colson
“America’s Right to Pray: Resisting Unjust Judges,” by Charles Colson
“Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Richard John Neuhaus
“The Bible in American Public Life, 1860-2005,” by Mark A. Noll
“Birmingham 1963: Turning Point of the Civil Rights Movement,” by Tim Stafford.
For a deeper consideration of this question, order the book, A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., by Martin Luther King, Jr., from our online store.
A conversation starter: “Christians believe that everyone is accountable to God – even civil government. Do you think that should allow them to disobey the government at times?
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