Biblical Values and Social Evils

     Social protest and even civil disobedience were significant factors in our country's founding. Moreover, both the protagonists in colonial days claimed religious beliefs and values as motivations for their actions. This is our heritage. In modern America social evils abound raising the concern and sometimes ire of disciples of Yeshua (Jesus). Current "hot button" issues include abortion, pornography, homosexual rights, erosion of parental rights in educating their children, and restrictions on the expression of religious speech.

     In response believers have resorted to boycotting, picketing, public demonstrations, as well as telephone and letter campaigns to public officials to raise awareness, voice complaints and demand changes. Some extremists have used destructive methods such as stalking opponents, sending "hate" mail, and destroying opponent's property. A few have committed murder for their cause. In the current climate of increased adversariness it's time for Christians to reevaluate their mission and the appropriate methods for responding to social evils.

     Since the Body of Messiah was established on the authority of the apostles and prophets (the authors of Scripture) with Yeshua as the cornerstone (Eph 2:20), then I will start with the assumption that their rule and practice should be ours as well. These first century leaders were faced with the same evils of today, except that worse conditions existed in the first century than in the United States.

     The world of the apostles was rife with slavery, totalitarian rule, military terrorism, idolatry, witchcraft, prostitution, infanticide, abortion, gambling, orgies, drunkenness, divorce, political corruption and nepotism, and, not the least of all, persecution of Yeshua's disciples.

     A thorough study of the apostolic writings reveals no examples of the apostles advocating or practicing protest tactics. There's not even a recommendation to "write to your senator." The silence of the apostles in advocating any kind of aggressive reaction to the social evils of their day is strange if not perplexing. Why didn't Peter advise slaves to protest or even revolt against harsh treatment (1 Peter 2:18)? Why didn't James call for a general strike when he knew who was behind oppression of the poor (James 2:6)? Why didn't Paul call for a picket at the houses of live pornography (1 Corinthians 6:18)? Why didn't even one of the apostles demand the congregations to take direct actions to prevent the killing of babies?

     Let's face it. There is no encouragement, exhortation, or command from Yeshua or the apostles for the saints to engage in pressure tactics to force the government, commercial enterprises or the public to stop their corrupt and wicked ways. Of course, one could claim that arguments from silence are dubious and the lack of prohibition constitutes permission. However, neither Yeshua or the apostles imposed any duty to coerce pagans to act like the saints. Certainly it's easy to rationalize the "passivity" of the apostles as being appropriate for their era of living under totalitarian rule, but since we live in a democracy we can be more proactive, even aggressive, if necessary. Yet this approach renders the Scriptures impotent and the apostles out of touch with our world. We are not left, however, without guidelines. God fully intended for His disciples to change the world. The actions of the apostles do provide a model for modern disciples to follow.

     Since action should flow from mission, we must be reminded of the mission that the Lord gave to his apostles. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB). Our mission as members of the Body of Messiah is to make disciples and any response to social evil should support and not hinder that goal.

     Consider the apostle Paul. When Paul went to Athens to make disciples he was greatly distressed over the idolatry that he witnessed there (Acts 17:16). What did he do? He proclaimed Yeshua and showed the relevance of the gospel to their idolatry (Acts 17:22-31). He attempted to change the thinking of the citizens. Paul reasoned in the synagogues and in the marketplaces. Paul didn't criticize their idols, grieved though he was. Paul followed the same method when he went to Ephesus. After two years of ministry by Paul, "the name of the Lord Yeshua came to be held in high regard" (Acts 19:17 CJB). And the result? When Yeshua was esteemed, people quit sinning, and the "sin business" suffered. When the business men complained, the city clerk reminded them that the disciples had not broken any law and had not even been critical of their city idol (Acts 19:37).

     Peter also gives us a model of response by his encouragement for those suffering to follow the example of Yeshua (1 Peter 2:21-24). Responding to the world like Yeshua means no sinning, no deceit, no insults, no threats and no retaliation, but instead trusting the Father for justice and interceding for the sins of others. Peter goes on to warn "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler" (1 Peter 4:15 NIV). No disciple of Yeshua can justify breaking God's law to achieve God's purposes, and no disciple should excuse or minimize the evil behavior of those who engage in such revenge tactics.

     For too many activists it seems that the proclamation of Yeshua is not the primary goal. The sad truth is that it is a lot easier to get people stirred up to fight on some "hot button" issue than to get them to be active witnesses for the gospel in every arena of life. I wonder how often unbelievers have cause to esteem the name of the Lord Yeshua? How often do wicked adversaries hear their need of personal salvation? How often is there reasoned discussion instead of opposing sides shouting at each other across a barrier? How often does the "enemy" receive anger instead of loving persuasion?

     Many disciples believe that the Bible supports civil disobedience and righteous indignation to protest social evils. Examples of the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1:15-21), Daniel (Daniel 6:3-14) and Peter (Acts 5:27-32) are held forth as justification. However, these acts of disobedience were directed against requirements on God's people to disobey God's laws. The Bible heroes never engaged in civil disobedience to stop unbelievers in their disobedience of God's laws. To ignore the context of these Bible stories simply serves as a pretext for promoting private opinion and unbiblical behavior.

     Maybe God needs to talk slower. Read the lips of Yeshua, "My kingdom is NOT of this world. IF IT WERE, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest" (John 18:36 NIV, emphasis mine). Yeshua did not mean that the kingdom age of the Messiah had not broken into the present age, but that his kingdom does not operate by worldly methods. Yeshua did not commission his apostles to force the establishment of a religious State. He sent them to proclaim the good news of reconciliation with the Father. He sent them to light up the darkness, to uphold truth against false beliefs, to offer the virtues of love, peace and hope to a world lost in sin and to show the world that God can transform lives. Such “confrontation” is to be done without shouting, raising voices in the streets, and adding hurt to those bound by sin (see Isaiah 42:1-3).

     The example of the apostles is to proclaim the gospel, pray for those in authority and promote personal evaluation of the truth about God and his standards. Our methods in responding to social and government evils, whether in conversation, letter writing, advertising or the use of public forums should never hinder our first mission of making disciples and showing the love of God. Are we better than the apostles? Can we justify our anger and ignore their instructions and example? I think not. As disciples carry out Yeshua's Commission we will still have enemies, but only by using the methods of the apostles will we raise a "harvest of righteousness" in our society (James 3:16).