Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, protests can be understood as expressions of dissent or objection, often in response to perceived injustice or unrighteousness. While the term "protest" as used in modern parlance does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures, the Bible contains numerous instances where individuals or groups express their grievances or stand against wrongdoing.
Old Testament Examples1.
Moses and Pharaoh: One of the earliest and most significant examples of protest in the Bible is Moses' confrontation with Pharaoh. God commands Moses to demand the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Moses repeatedly approaches Pharaoh with the message, "Let My people go" (
Exodus 5:1). This series of confrontations can be seen as a divinely ordained protest against the oppression of God's people.
2.
The Prophets: The Old Testament prophets often served as voices of protest against the moral and spiritual decline of Israel and Judah. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos spoke out against idolatry, social injustice, and the neglect of the covenant. For instance, Amos declares, "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (
Amos 5:24), calling for societal reform and adherence to God's standards.
3.
Job's Lament: The Book of Job presents a personal protest against suffering and perceived divine injustice. Job, in his anguish, questions God's justice and seeks an explanation for his undeserved suffering. His lamentations and dialogues with his friends reflect a deep struggle with the concept of divine justice and human suffering (Job 3-31).
New Testament Examples1.
John the Baptist: John the Baptist's ministry can be seen as a protest against the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He calls for repentance and baptizes those who seek to turn from their sins. John boldly confronts Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage, which ultimately leads to his imprisonment and execution (
Mark 6:17-29).
2.
Jesus Cleansing the Temple: Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a powerful act of protest against the commercialization and corruption of religious practices. He overturns the tables of the money changers and drives out those buying and selling, declaring, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (
Matthew 21:13).
3.
The Apostles' Boldness: The early apostles, particularly Peter and John, demonstrate protest through their unwavering commitment to preaching the gospel despite opposition from religious authorities. When commanded to stop teaching in the name of Jesus, they respond, "We must obey God rather than men" (
Acts 5:29), asserting their divine mandate over human authority.
Theological ReflectionsFrom a theological perspective, protests in the Bible often arise from a deep sense of justice and righteousness rooted in God's character. Believers are called to stand against evil and advocate for truth, justice, and mercy. The biblical narrative affirms that while human authorities may resist or oppose God's will, His purposes ultimately prevail.
Practical ImplicationsFor contemporary believers, the biblical examples of protest provide a framework for engaging with societal issues. Christians are encouraged to discern when and how to speak out against injustice, always aligning their actions with biblical principles and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The call to be "salt and light" (
Matthew 5:13-16) implies an active role in influencing society for the better, advocating for righteousness, and standing against moral decay.
Library
WesleyProtests against Lawlessness
... Chapter 7. Severe Weather; Ireland; Wesley's Protest against Lawlessness cWesley
and Faith-healing WesleyProtests Against Lawlessness....
Ecclesiastes
... the moral order and the certainty of divine judgment are not merely assertions:
they can usually, in their context, only be regarded asprotests"asprotests...
The First Miracle in Cana --The Water Made Wine
... So Heprotests against that faithless and wicked division of life into sacred and
secular, which has wrought such harm both in the sacred and in the secular...
Calvary: victory. Matthew 26:47-27:61. Mark 14: 43-15:47. Luke 22...
... senate"trying to make a case"the formal condemnation"before Pilate"an unexpected
set-back"alone with Pilate"acquitted"shrillprotests"off to...
Of the Sovereign Degree of Union by Suspension and Ravishment.
... him. [327] Which his holy spouse alsoprotests, saying: Draw me; we will
run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. [328] Now...
A Servant of Men
... But he will not do that so as to be misunderstood, wherefore heprotests that in
doing so he is voluntarily abridging his freedom for a specific purpose....
We Say Then that the Female Holds up with Two Strong Arms These...
... was archaic, the words were in many cases precisely the same as those which I have
heard in the streets and public houses of Battersea,protests on behalf of...
The Church as She Should Be
... It seems to me that when properly analysed most of theprotests are not against
creeds, but against truth, for every man who believes anything must have a creed...
A Song of Deliverance
... The very psalm which most distinctly embodies the thought of God's abodeprotests
against that narrowness, for it begins, 'The earth is the Lord's and the...
The Murderous Rejection.
... the lame and maimed in the temple itself, amid the reverent praise of the multitude,
the songs of the children, and the scowling, mutteredprotests of the...
Thesaurus
Protests (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Protests (12 Occurrences). Luke 5:30 And the Pharisees
and their scribes made
protests against his disciples
...Protesting (12 Occurrences)
Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... to find here a suggestion of Baal-worship, but see HPN, 121, where the change is
explained as a correction of the scribes, in consequence of propheticprotests...
Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)
... to find here a suggestion of Baal-worship, but see HPN, 121, where the change is
explained as a correction of the scribes, in consequence of propheticprotests...
Tax-farmers (14 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Luke 5:30 And the Pharisees and their scribes madeprotests against his
disciples, saying, Why do you take food and drink with tax-farmers and sinners?...
Distribution (32 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing,protests
were made by the Greek Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows...
Protevangelium
Birthright (10 Occurrences)
... Sarahprotests against Ishmael being heir along with Isaac, but it is possible that
the bestowal of the rights of the firstborn on Isaac was not due to any law...
Chide (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Psalm 103:9, the strife is one of words, it means in these passages, "scold,"
or "sharply censure," and is applied either to mutinousprotests and reproaches...
Arguing (12 Occurrences)
... The condemnation of those who would so argue is just. (WEY). Philippians
2:14 Do all things withoutprotests and arguments; (See NIV)....
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