A Biblical Case for Protesting

“How long will you defend the unjust

 and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;

    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

    deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Psalm 82:2-4

With the prominence of protesting in today's society, it's important as Christians to understand whether or not the Word of God supports the idea of protesting, and whether it gives any requirements for Christians who engage in protesting.

Unfortunately for us, there is no distinct text that gives a clear response to this question, so it becomes a matter of application.  We know that first and foremost, the Bible teaches us that God expects us to bring all of our cares and concerns to him in prayer.  1 Chronicles tells us to look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.  Our interest in protesting should always be quelled by the question, "Have I been earnestly praying for the change I seek?"

The issue that is being protested also has bearing on the biblical response to protests.  There are many texts that mirror that of Psalm 82 above.  Defend the weak.  Help the widow and orphans.  Uphold the poor and the oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy.  The New Testament goes so far as to say that our heavenly Father accepts caring for the widow and orphan as pure and faultless religion.  However, protests can occur for myriad reasons, and the purpose of protesting must conform to God's word in order for Christians to consider participating in it.

Are there tangible goals that are attainable by protesting?  I think this is an important question because if you don't know why you are protesting, and you don't have an idea of whether or not your protesting has achievable goals, it is impossible for you to address the questions posed above.  

To summarize what we'll call the requirements for Christian protesting:

1) Have you humbled yourself and submitted your requests to God? Have you truly prayed that God would change the hearts and minds of those involved so that He may be glorified?

2)  Do you know why you are protesting?  Can you explain why to another person in a coherent and  knowledgeable manner?

3)  Does the purpose of your protest conform to the Word of God?

4)  Is there anything besides protesting that could help create the change you are looking to create and have those options been exhausted?

If all of those requirements can be genuinely met, then there is one final distinction that must be made.  

For protesting to be acceptable for Christians to participate in, it must be non-violent protesting.

If Christians feel compelled to protest, they should be bold in standing up and speaking the truth.  Protest or not, Christians should be bold in standing up and speaking the truth.  Proverbs 31:9 says, "Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."  Christian men and women should be speaking up on a regular basis and earnestly searching for improvement.  However, the moment that Christians destroy life, limb, or property in an act of protest is the moment they have destroyed their testimony.

In the current political atmosphere, it almost requires shouting at the top of your lungs to affect change.  As Christians, our ultimate desire should be to glorify God in all of our interaction with the world, and politics are no different.  That being said, Christians should be involved in politics, and should seek to hold government accountable.  Protesting can be a valid tool in making that happen, as long as biblical mandates are not thrown out the window.