Rejecting the Spirit of Rebellion: A Biblical Call to Embrace God’s Sovereign Rule

Introduction: The Rise of Anti-Authoritarian Movements

In recent years, society has increasingly embraced the belief that every person is their own highest authority. Whether in politics, philosophy, or religion, this mindset rejects the idea that God has ordained any and all external authority. 

At its core, this spirit exalts human autonomy (self-sovereignty) over divine sovereignty, insisting that people should govern themselves apart from the authority God has instituted.  The deeper theological reality here is humanity’s rebellion against divine sovereignty, as R.C. Sproul so aptly stated, “if God is sovereign, we are manifestly not autonomous. On the other hand, if we are autonomous, then that’s the end of any idea of a sovereign God.”

These anti-authoritarian movements reflect more than political dissent; it embodies a philosophy of rationalism. Modern rationalism, shaped by Enlightenment thought, asserts that human reason is the ultimate source of truth and authority. In this view, power and legitimacy must ascend from human consent, not divine ordination. Rationalism therefore rejects any form of authority civil, ecclesiastical, or familial, that does not rest upon collective human will or logical justification. Authority is seen not as God’s institution, but as a man-made construct subject to revision by the people.

This philosophical spirit of autonomy is evident today in various spheres political, social, and even religious. Many modern-day 'evangelical' churches have become entangled in the false doctrine of modern rationalism.  While many of these movements claim to pursue justice and freedom, they often undermine the divinely established order that sustains both. In contrast, the Reformed tradition, grounded in Scripture, affirms that all authority ultimately flows from God Himself (Romans 13:1–7). It calls the Church to resist the spirit of rebellion and to uphold the truth that authority, whether in government, church, or family, is a divine ordinance, not a human invention.

While this article refers to the ‘No Kings’ protests as a point of reference, its purpose is not to address a single movement but to expose the deeper spiritual reality behind such ideologies, the enduring disposition toward self-sovereignty that has marked humanity since the fall, a desire to live as though God does not reign.

The Biblical Foundation for Authority

In response to the growing challenge against authority in modern society, we must return to the biblical understanding that all authority, whether civil, ecclesiastical, or familial, is ultimately established by God. Scripture teaches that God is sovereign over all governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7), and as Christians, we are called to submit to these authorities, even under unjust rulers, except in extreme cases where resistance is warranted by clear violations of God’s law.

God’s Sovereignty over Authorities and Submission under All Circumstances

Scripture consistently teaches that all earthly authority, whether in government, church, or family, exists under the sovereign will of God. As the Apostle Paul declares, "There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."(Romans 13:1). From Daniel’s affirmation that God "He removes kings and raises up kings;"(Daniel 2:21) to Christ’s words to Pilate, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above." (John 19:11), the Bible reveals that the establishment of rulers is never random or autonomous, but providential. Reformed theology has long upheld this doctrine, emphasizing that authority itself, not the moral quality of those who hold it, is ordained by God for the preservation of order and the restraint of evil. Divine appointment, therefore, endows every legitimate office with dignity and purpose, reminding the believer that submission to earthly authority is, in essence, submission to God’s sovereign design.

Since all authority is ultimately ordained by God, Christians are called to respect and submit to it, even when rulers are morally corrupt or unjust. Calvin emphasized that even the “…most iniquitous tyrant” holds the position granted to him by God. This teaching does not imply that tyranny is good; rather, it reminds believers that submission is not based on the ruler’s character but on the recognition that God has placed them in authority. The believer’s obedience flows from trust in God’s sovereignty, not the virtue of those who hold power. Thus, submission to authority reflects a greater trust in God’s providence, recognizing that authority itself, regardless of its holder’s worth, is part of God’s sovereign will and divine plan.

The apostolic exhortations of Romans 13:1–7 and 1 Peter 2:13–17 command submission “for the Lord’s sake,” anchoring civil obedience in worship rather than fear. Even under oppression, Christians are to conduct themselves as those who recognize that God governs through imperfect instruments. Submission, then, becomes an act of faith, acknowledging that God remains sovereign regardless of human corruption, and that ultimate justice belongs to Him alone.

Yet Scripture does not teach blind allegiance. When those in power command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, the believer’s loyalty to Christ must prevail. As the apostles declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men.'"(Acts 5:29). The following section explores the biblical and historical boundaries of obedience, affirming that faithful resistance arises not from rebellion, but from unwavering allegiance to the higher law of God.

Limitations on Obedience (Resistance to Tyranny in Extreme Cases)

The Reformed tradition has long recognized narrow limits to civil obedience in cases where rulers directly command disobedience to God. John Knox, in the book The History of the Reformation in Scotland, affirms that while the office of magistrate is divinely ordained, tyranny that enforces sin or idolatry forfeits its moral legitimacy. 

Theodore Beza, in The Rights of Magistrates, articulates this idea clearly: "If the prince, by his own wicked will, violates the law of God, the people are bound to resist him. The power of magistrates is not given for the destruction of the people, but for their preservation. And when the magistrate becomes a tyrant, he no longer holds his office as ordained by God but as a criminal". This reinforces the notion that legitimate authority is not an excuse for tyranny, and when a ruler becomes a tyrant, the people are not only justified but morally bound to resist. 

Simply said, it is the Scriptures that teaches that submission to authority is the norm for Christians, and resistance to tyranny is only justified when a government explicitly demands disobedience to God’s Word. For instance, Knox argued that resistance is only warranted when a government directly violates God’s commands, such as by enforcing sin or idolatry. This principle of limited resistance has remained central to the Reformed tradition, emphasizing biblical submission in all cases except the most extreme circumstances.

A Call to the Church: Return to the Old Paths – Jeremiah 6:16

The Church is called to reject the prevailing spirit of self-sovereignty and rebellion against God’s ordained authority, returning to the biblical "old paths" where divine authority is recognized and submission to it is practiced leading to the peaceful and “good” way. Believers must realign with historic, biblical doctrines of authority, taking practical steps to restore submission to God’s authority within both the church and society.

Rejecting the Spirit of the Age

The Church must reject the modern spirit of rebellion that exalts personal autonomy above God’s sovereign order. In every generation, humanity seeks freedom apart from submission to divine authority, yet such “freedom” only leads to bondage. Jeremiah called God’s people to “ask for the ancient paths,” reminding us that joy and stability are found only in obedience to God’s design. The Church today must resist cultural movements that treat self-rule as sacred and authority as oppressive, affirming instead that true liberty is found in joyful submission to Christ’s lordship.

In the face of modern rebellion and anti-authoritarian movements like "No Kings," this call remains urgent: the Church must, indeed, it must, reject the rebellious spirit of the age and return to the "old paths," where submission to God’s authority in all areas of life,  government, family, and church, is foundational to true peace and stability. As the people of Israel rejected this call, so too does modern society, choosing instead autonomy over God’s ordained order. This self-sovereign attitude promotes a worldview where human reason, not divine revelation, is the guiding principle.

As believers, we are called to reject this mentality and return to God’s truth, which affirms that all authority is established by Him, not by human will. Jeremiah 6:16 urges the Church to "walk the old paths where the good way is." The "old paths" are the biblical doctrines that remind us of God’s sovereign authority over every area of life, governments, families, and churches. By embracing these ancient truths, the Church can   uh stand in stark contrast to the autonomous, anti-authoritarian attitudes of the world.

Return to the Old Paths

To walk in “the old paths” means returning to the timeless truths of Scripture regarding authority, order, and obedience under God’s sovereign rule. These paths are not nostalgic ideals but enduring doctrines rooted in divine revelation. When the Church exchanges God’s authority for cultural ideologies of autonomy, she mirrors the world’s rebellion and invites disorder. Hosea warned that God’s people perish for lack of knowledge, not intellectual, but moral knowledge that arises from reverence. Restoration begins when the Church repents, reclaims the authority of Scripture, and joyfully submits to the God who rules every sphere of life.

The Church must recover the understanding that biblical authority, Sola Scriptura, is not optional. When the Church turns its back on God’s authority, she begins to walk the same path as the world, embracing chaos, rebellion, and moral disorder. Hosea 4:6 states, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."  This lack of knowledge is not simply intellectual but involves a deeper failure to recognize and submit to the authority that God has established.  True restoration begins when the Church humbly repents and returns to the ultimate authority of Scripture, recognizing that obedience to God’s authority is foundational to both spiritual stability and a thriving society.

Practical Application: Actions for the Church

Restoring biblical submission begins with faithful preaching. Pastors must teach the whole counsel of God, including the doctrine of authority, in a manner that connects eternal truth to contemporary life. Scripture, not culture, must define how Christians relate to those in power, even amid political and moral corruption.

Discipleship must then reinforce what preaching proclaims. Churches should recover catechesis and communal teaching that equip believers to discern the difference between godly submission and idolatrous compliance. By grounding families and congregations in historic confessions, the Church strengthens the conscience of believers to obey God faithfully in all spheres of life.

Finally, the Church must model what it teaches. Respect for authority must begin within the congregation, among elders, families, and members, so that a watching world sees the beauty of order under God. When believers honor those God has placed over them, they bear public witness that divine sovereignty produces peace, humility, and unity.

These practical steps not only help believers understand biblical submission but also provide real-world avenues to challenge the cultural norms of autonomy and individualism. By grounding these principles in everyday life and action, churches can offer a clear alternative to the spirit of rebellion that pervades the broader society.

A Final Exhortation: Repent and Return to the Good Way

When movements reject God’s ordained authority, the biblical response is neither defiance nor despair, but humble submission and faithful witness. As R.C. Sproul and the Reformers remind us, Christians are called to display the wisdom of God’s order by gladly submitting to the authorities God has established, knowing that all authority ultimately comes from Him. Through teaching rooted in Scripture and lives marked by joyful obedience, the church gently displays God’s gracious rule, a rule seen most clearly in the self-giving love of Christ, who submitted to the Father for our sake. 

Restoring a Scriptural view of authority begins with gospel-shaped humility and trust that God’s commands are for our flourishing.The Church must boldly expose the unbiblical nature of anti-authoritarian ideologies and, following Jeremiah’s example, call people to repent and return to God’s path, where true freedom is found in joyful submission to His authority.

The Church must reaffirm the biblical doctrine of civil authority, teach submission to imperfect rulers, and warn against movements rooted in unbiblical autonomy. This effort must start from the pulpit, flow down to church leaders, and be passed down to husbands and fathers who catechize their families.

When believers joyfully submit to God’s sovereign rule in every sphere of life, it is then the Church becomes a visible testimony of His strength, purity, and authority. By returning to the “old paths” of God’s Word and submitting to His order in church, home, and state, the Church will experience true peace and the joy of living under the gracious Kingship of Christ, Jeremiah 6:16; Romans 13:1; and Colossians 1:18.

Bibliography

All Scripture is from New King James Version Bible

Sproul, R.C. "We Are Not Autonomous." Ligonier Ministries, September 30, 2020. https://www.ligonier.org/posts/we-not-autonomous.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Translated by Henry Beveridge. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.

Knox, John. The History of the Reformation in Scotland. Edited by William Croft Dickinson. Edinburgh: John Knox Press, 1950.



Beza, Theodore. The Rights of Magistrates. Translated by Henry Ainsworth. London: John Bill, 1589.