Is Confrontation Christian?

One of the things I try to do is dispel some of what I believe are misconceptions about God and Jesus.  I've written many times about Kumbaya Jesus.  Today let's talk about weak and wimpy Jesus.  Pacifist Jesus if you will.

There are many who think that a good Christian should be meek and mild, never making waves, never questioning authority, and never being confrontational.  They should just do what they are told by society and be quiet about it.

Let's take a look at these verses from Acts.

Acts 16:35-40(NKJV)

35And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 

39Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 

40So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Here we have a case where the authorities have done Paul and Silas wrong and they know it.  They try to sweep things under the rug by letting Paul and Silas go quietly.  But what does Paul say?

Oh hell no!  You did us wrong and we are now going to stand on principal and make you own up to it.

Now does that mean that we should automatically act this way all the time?  Nope.  What I am pointing out is that it isn't automatically un-Christian to be confrontational and to stand up for your principals.  So if you find yourself in a situation like that don't let the other side cow you into silence with the old "you sure aren't being very Christian' routine.  Just look at them and say
 

"Acts 16 baby!"