Can Christians OVERTHROW an EVIL government?

Exodus 15:3 (KJV) The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
Numbers 10:9 (KJV) And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Psalms 18:34 (KJV) he teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
Proverbs 20:18 (KJV) Every pourpose is established by council: and with good avise make war.

 

Not sure what relevance those verses have, but the answer is no. The NT church was birthed under an immoral and evil government besides which the Hitler regime would look like a SS picnic. The appropriate response is submit to government and preach the gospel.

 

Q: Does God hate rebellion?

 

Ro 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Ro 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Even Hitler was ordained by God to execute His judgement on evil.

 

Yes, God gave no qualifiers on it. Paul himself was subject to that, as was John, and others. That was nothing new for the early church. And they are told to submit, not to overthrow. It is part of the radical part of Christianity, the humility of it that we so often ignore in our modern pride.

 

Christ addressed that in the gospels.

Yes, by legal means; not by overthrow.

 

There are no NT scripture telling us to do such. Can we, no. Should we, no. The physical world you see is only a symptom of the real disease. The bible gives no instructions to christian on how to strainghten out the physical world(the symptom), but rather gives us instructions on treating the disease(taking Jesus to people are living without Him).

 

Yes, the war for independence that founded this nation is certainly one I would have supported. Also, the War for Southern Independence is another war for independence that I would have supported.

Also there are lots of Christians on this board who supported overthrowing the governments of Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

How do we as believers change the circumstances of our nation? I believe 2Ch 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." is still applicable for today. I see 4 factors that apply. Where is there a humble spirit in America? I see a lot of pride in America. Are seeking the God of heaven or the god we have invented in our own imaginations? In most churches, not just baptist, you can rally the people around a meal but just ask how many will come and fast and pray see what you get. Turn from our wicked ways -- what a joke.

1Ti 2:1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1Ti 2:2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

Yes, the war for independence that founded this nation is certainly one I would have supported. Also, the War for Southern Independence is another war for independence that I would have supported.

Also there are lots of Christians on this board who supported overthrowing the governments of Afghanistan and Iraq. </font>[/QUOTE]Just because we support something does that make it right?

 

Again what does God think of rebellion.

 

perhaps a little history is in order. The colosseum with its lions, the human torches, the pedophilia, etc, were not found in Nazi Germany. The Nazi's were bad, but the Romans were worse. But the point remains that the Bible places no qualifications on it, depending on the government.

I have siad before that I am conflicted about that, but as of now, I could not in good conscience join that. BUt in God's providence, that is a hypothetical we are not facing.

 

I still agree wtih Pastor Larry. We can give all of the historical reasons we want, but it is hard to argue with Romans 13 biblically .