The Bible’s Message to “Protestant” Rioters
McGeown applies biblical teaching on civil submission and God's sovereignty to address civil unrest in Ulster, arguing that Christians must obey civil authorities even when unjust, as all rulers are ordained by God. Drawing on Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, and Reformed confessional standards, he demonstrates that rebellion against government and civil disobedience contradict Scripture and Christian duty.
Martyn McGeown Following the mayhem on Ulster’s streets in summer 2005, we need to be reminded that it is the Christian’s duty to submit to the state, even to a wicked state, which persecutes the church. That was the kind of state to which the apostles enjoined submission. The Scriptures teach that all civil authority is ordained of God (Rom. 13; I Pet. 2:13-14). To today’s Ulster ”Protestant,” they would say, “Submit yourself to the Queen, the prime minister, the police and all other...