03/09/2026
Wallace Thompson, Drumcree and Christ
Wallace Thompson was given a platform on Radio Ulster this evening to claim that the actions of Orangemen in Portadown were unchristian and to urge them to consider: “What would Jesus do?”
He went on to say that this was a case of loving your neighbour as yourself.
In typical BBC style, no one was invited to challenge Wallace. In fact, he was interviewed alongside Mark Durkan, who attacked the Orange from another angle.
But is Wallace right?
Christians are, of course, urged to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38–42).
The second great commandment is to love one’s neighbour as oneself (Mark 12:30–31).
So far, so good.
But is that all the Bible has to say on this matter?
First, the Orange Order has been slapped about by the Parades Commission for almost 30 years. In retrospect, Orangemen should have sought redress through the courts before now.
More importantly, Christ’s command to turn the other cheek prohibits personal vengeance. It does not require Christians to surrender their legal rights or prevent them from seeking justice through the courts.
Far from discouraging Christians from using the law to assert their rights, the New Testament positively affirms that they may do so.
When, for example, Paul was beaten, chained and thrown into prison in Philippi, the keeper of the prison came to him the following morning with what he thought was good news: Paul and Silas were free to leave.
What happened? Look at what the Bible says:
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
Paul insisted upon his rights — and he got them.
Not only that, but he required a measure of public accountability and humility from those who had wronged him.
And he got it.
Was that a one-off?
Not at all.
Consider what happened when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. This time he was tied up and was about to be beaten by the Roman authorities.
Did he conclude that, because Christ had commanded him to turn the other cheek, he simply had to submit to an unlawful scourging?
Read it for yourself:
24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Again, Paul cited the law and insisted that his rights be upheld.
Paul would later exercise his legal right of appeal with the words: “I appeal unto Caesar” (Acts 25:11).
And what of the passage which speaks most directly about the role of civil government? Are Christians told that they should not insist upon lawful treatment?
Again, read it for yourself:
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Christians are told to obey the law — not to waive their legal rights.
Civil government is ordained by God to restrain wrongdoing and administer justice. Seeking a lawful remedy is therefore entirely consistent with Christian teaching.
Turning the other cheek forbids revenge; it does not forbid redress.
Loving one’s neighbour excludes hatred; it does not exclude justice.
It is perfectly Christian to insist that your lawful rights be respected. It is biblical to do so even when it causes embarrassment or fear among those who have acted unlawfully.
Being a Christian does not mean waiving your legal rights.
Even when Christ went to the cross, He did not pretend that the actions of those responsible were just. He warned those involved in His betrayal, unjust trial and crucifixion that they remained accountable before a higher court.
Of course, the manner in which Christians assert their rights must itself be Christian: peaceable, truthful and free from personal malice. But nothing in the teaching of Christ requires Portadown Orangemen to accept unlawful treatment without seeking redress.
In short, Wallace needs to spend more time with his Bible before he starts lecturing his fellow citizens about whether their actions are Christian.
