Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of protest can be understood as an expression of objection or disapproval, often in response to perceived injustice or unrighteousness. Throughout Scripture, various individuals and groups have engaged in acts of protest, either against human authorities or in response to divine commands.
Old Testament InstancesOne of the earliest examples of protest in the Bible is found in the account of Moses. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses initially protested, expressing his doubts and concerns about his ability to fulfill such a monumental task. In
Exodus 3:11 , Moses says, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" This protest highlights a common human reaction to divine calling, characterized by humility and self-doubt.
The prophets of the Old Testament frequently engaged in acts of protest against the social and religious injustices of their time. For instance, the prophet Amos vehemently protested against the exploitation and oppression of the poor by the wealthy elite of Israel. In
Amos 5:24 , he declares, "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." This call for justice serves as a powerful protest against the moral decay and corruption prevalent in society.
New Testament ExamplesIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself can be seen as a figure of protest against the religious hypocrisy and legalism of the Pharisees and Sadducees. His cleansing of the temple, as recorded in
Matthew 21:12-13 , is a vivid act of protest: "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' He said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'" This act underscores Jesus' commitment to restoring true worship and justice.
The apostles also engaged in protest, particularly when faced with opposition to their preaching of the Gospel. In
Acts 4:19-20 , Peter and John respond to the Sanhedrin's command to stop teaching in the name of Jesus: "But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'" Their protest is rooted in obedience to God over human authority.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, protest in the Bible is often associated with a call to righteousness and justice. It reflects a deep commitment to God's standards and a willingness to stand against wrongdoing, even at personal cost. Biblical protest is not merely an act of defiance but is often motivated by a desire to align with God's will and purposes.
Practical ApplicationFor believers today, the biblical examples of protest serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for truth and justice. Whether confronting societal injustices or addressing issues within the church, Christians are called to be voices of righteousness, guided by Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As
Ephesians 5:11 exhorts, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This call to action encourages believers to engage in protest that is constructive, redemptive, and rooted in love.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow.
2. (v. i.) To make a solemn declaration (often a written one) expressive of opposition; -- with against; as, he protest against your votes.
3. (v. t.) To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to proclaim; to display; as, to protest one's loyalty.
4. (v. t.) To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to.
5. (n.) A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal objection against some act; especially, a formal and solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in Parliament.
6. (n.) A solemn declaration in writing, in due form, made by a notary public, usually under his notarial seal, on behalf of the holder of a bill or note, protesting against all parties liable for any loss or damage by the nonacceptance or nonpayment of the bill, or by the nonpayment of the note, as the case may be.
7. (n.) A declaration made by the master of a vessel before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer, upon his arrival in port after a disaster, stating the particulars of it, and showing that any damage or loss sustained was not owing to the fault of the vessel, her officers or crew, but to the perils of the sea, etc., ads the case may be, and protesting against them.
8. (n.) A declaration made by a party, before or while paying a tax, duty, or the like, demanded of him, which he deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and asserting his rights and claims, in order to show that the payment was not voluntary.
Greek
4303. promarturomai -- to say beforehand... Verb Transliteration: promarturomai Phonetic Spelling: (prom-ar-too'-rom-ahee) Short
Definition: I predict Definition: I predict, testify or
protest beforehand
...3143. marturomai -- to summon as witness, to affirm
... I call to witness, testify, solemnly charge Definition: (properly: I call (summon)
to witness, and then absolutely) I testify,protest, asseverate; I conjure...
3513. ne -- by (a particle of affirmation employed in oaths)
... Probably an intensive form of nai; a particle of attestation (accompanied by the
object invoked or appealed to in confirmation); as sure as -- Iprotest by....
1263. diamarturomai -- to affirm solemnly
... charge, testify unto, witness. From dia and martureo; to attest orprotest earnestly,
or (by implication) hortatively -- charge, testify (unto), witness....
Strong's Hebrew
5749. uwd -- to return, go about, repeat, do again... admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up,
protest, call take to record, relieve,
rob, A primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication
...5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... carried (1), obtained (1), offer (3), pardon (2), pardons (1), partial* (2), partiality*
(8), pick (1), picked (1), picks (3), promoted (1),protest (1), put (1...
Library
Protest of the Princes.
... 11.PROTEST OF THE PRINCES.... TheirProtest gave to the reformed church the name of
Protestant; its principles are "the very essence of Protestantism."(283)....
Protest of the Princes
... Chapter 11Protest of the Princes. One of the noblest testimonies ever
uttered for the Reformation was theProtest offered by the...
Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10...
... 1.Protest and Agony. (I, IV.... His first word is one of shrinking, I cannot speak,
I am too young.(682) The voice of pain andprotest is in most of his Oracles....
Of the Need for SomeProtest against the Psychics and their Self...
... Chapter XII"Of the Need for SomeProtest Against the Psychics and Their
Self-Indulgence. For, by this time, in this respect as...
On Re-Reading MyProtest, which I Honestly Think Much Needed...
... Chapter 48 On re-reading myprotest, which I honestly think much needed?
On re-reading myprotest, which I honestly think much...
Daniel's FirstProtest against Idolatry.
... CHAPTER TWO. DANIEL'S FIRSTPROTEST AGAINST IDOLATRY. One day when Daniel
was about ten years old, and living with his father in...
The Designation of the one God in the Prophetic Scriptures...
... Chapter XVIII."The Designation of the One God in the Prophetic Scriptures Intended
as aProtest Against Heathen Idolatry, It Does Not Preclude the...
Achamoth in Love with the Angels aProtest against the Lascivious...
... Chapter XVII."Achamoth in Love with the Angels AProtest Against the Lascivious
Features of Valentinianism. Achamoth Becomes the Mother of Three Natures....
The Council of Tyre and First Exile of Athanasius, 335-337.
... p.138). Equally unsuccessful was theprotest of the Egyptian bishops against
the credit of the Meletian witnesses (p.140). But on...
Joseph of Arimathea
... In thisprotest no doubt Nicodemus would have sided with him, but he was probably
absent, for Joseph seems to have stood alone in his refusal to condemn the...
Thesaurus
Protest (37 Occurrences)... 2. (vi) To make a solemn declaration (often a written one) expressive of
opposition; -- with against; as, he
protest against your votes.
...Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... the native population, began to mix freely with them, the local worship, full of
tempting Dionysiac elements, brought forth this religiousprotest in favor of...
Forewarn (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 43:3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnlyprotest unto
us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you....
Responsible (242 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:6 But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes
by way ofprotest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads....
Ruin (135 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:6 But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes
by way ofprotest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads....
Protested (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofProtest. Multi-Version Concordance
Protested (11 Occurrences). Matthew 3:14 John protested....
Countryman (19 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:7 And after turning it over in my mind, I made aprotest to the chiefs
and the rulers, and said to them, Every one of you is taking interest from...
Interest (35 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:7 And after turning it over in my mind, I made aprotest to the chiefs
and the rulers, and said to them, Every one of you is taking interest from...
Protects (7 Occurrences)
Earnestly (78 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Genesis 43:3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnlyprotest
unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you....
Resources
How is belief in God any different from Flying Spaghetti Monsterism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Westboro Baptist Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Protestant? | GotQuestions.orgProtest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
