Civil Protest, Christian Ethics, and Moral Legitimacy: Rereading Romans 13 in Global South and Plural Societal Contexts

This article examines the ethical legitimacy of civil protest within Christian thought, offering a theologically grounded and globally relevant re-interpretation of political obedience and resistance. Engaging critically with Romans 13:1–7, the study challenges reductive readings that equate Christian faith with unconditional submission to governing authorities. Instead, it situates political authority within a broader Christian ethical framework that emphasises justice, moral accountability, human dignity, and the stewardship responsibilities of power.

Drawing on biblical exegesis, Christian ethical tradition, and interdisciplinary insights from peace and conflict studies, political theology, and social movement theory, the article argues that civil protest—particularly in nonviolent form—can constitute a morally responsible and faith-consistent response to systemic injustice. It demonstrates that Christian obedience is ethically meaningful only where political authority fulfils its vocation to protect the vulnerable, uphold justice, and promote the common good.

The analysis pays particular attention to contexts of the Global South, including ethnoreligiously plural and politically fragile societies, where protest frequently emerges as a response to governance failures, social exclusion, and developmental inequalities. By integrating theological reflection with global socio-political realities, the article contributes to ongoing scholarly debates on religion in the public sphere, the ethics of resistance, and faith-based approaches to peacebuilding and social transformation.

This work is intended for scholars and practitioners in religious studies, peace and conflict studies, political theology, ethics, development studies, and related interdisciplinary fields. As an open-access preprint, it invites scholarly engagement, dialogue, and further research.