Christians have always taken seriously Romans 13, I Peter 2 and Jesus’ words to “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Christians have always believed that the state has a role to play under God’s direction. In 198 AD the church father Tertullian wrote…”We offer prayer for the safety of our rulers to the eternal, true and living God…We offer prayer without ceasing for all of our emperors. We pray for their prolonged lives and for security to the emperor. We pray for protection of the imperial house, for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, and a world at peace.”
In the midst of the discussions around the Manhattan Declaration people are asking once again about the role of the church and Christians in relationship to the state. Should we have a role? Since we live in a pluralistic culture do we have a right to try to get laws passed that are consistent with the Christian faith? What if laws are passed that go against the clear teaching of God? What is our response?
As I write this we have just honored the civil disobedience of Martin Luther King and will celebrate the leadership of our presidents in the coming weeks so allow me to make a few suggestions. The passages mentioned above, as well as I Timothy 2:1-4, remind us that the government is given by God for the welfare of all the people. Because of this, God gives the right to “bear the sword” to the government. That is it has the right to use lawful force in the carrying out of just laws. In this we are called to both obey those laws and to speak out if the laws be unjust. This flows from the clear teaching in Acts 4 and 5 that, when we are confronted with a choice, we must obey God rather than men even if that would mean civil disobedience. That is the negative side of this discussion. The positive side is that the authority of the church is not to set the laws of a government or impose itself on the government. However, the church has a responsibility to speak clearly to the government and to call any government to a moral responsibility for its policies and legislation. I would also suggest that when this role requires political action from Christians, such action should be taken by individual believers as citizens of the state and not by the church speaking outside of the sphere given to it by God. We change the direction of government by the impact of Christians standing up and speaking for what they believe. As an institution the church has its role that does not step into the government’s sphere, but as citizens, Christians may be as involved as any other citizen.
We have the same right to speak out on moral and ethical issues (or any issue) as any person holding any other position. We have the same right as all citizens for our views to win the day if we can argue them persuasively. Since God has spoken and the views of the historic Christian faith are true then we need not be the least intimidated or apologetic in offering them for the good of the culture and the welfare of all the people. Is there a separation of church and state – in a sense; yes. Is there a separation of Christians and the state – no. Rendering unto Caesar includes rendering service and one need not stop being a Christian when doing so. So enter into the discussion, jump into the debates – but do so with a Christian world view and be aware that you may just become a living sacrifice.
