Church and State

by Chris Simmons

One of the founding principles that our nation was based upon is commonly known as “the separation of church and state.” It would be inappropriate in this forum to take the opportunity to analyze and discuss the historical, social and political significance of such a concept. Yet as we enter a period of national focus on political issues and candidates, it is important for us to understand what the Bible teaches regarding the involvement and relationships of individual Christians as well as the Church in political and governmental matters.

The individual Christian’s responsibility toward civil authority and government is clearly stated in Romans 13:1-7, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Simply put, a Christian is to be a law-abiding citizen in whatever country he may reside and that to rebel against civil authority is to rebel against God.

It is important to note that the text of Romans 13:1-7 does not contain any exceptions for situations when we do not like, or agree with, the ruler(s) of our land or even if we live in a place and time when the governing authorities are corrupt, wicked or deceitful. Paul wrote these commands to the Romans during the reign of the Roman government, which itself was both immoral and corrupt, and yet Paul commanded Christians to “be in subjection” to them.

The scriptures are clear regarding what a Christian is to do when civil law comes into direct contradiction to divine law. In Acts 4:18, the civil authorities (the Sanhedrin) “commanded” Peter and John to no longer “speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” Immediately, Peter told them that in order to obey God, they would have to disregard their command because they “could not stop speaking what (they had) seen and heard.” Later, after continuing to obey God by persisting in their preaching of the gospel, and being arrested again, Peter bluntly reminded the civil authorities, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

What does the Bible say regarding the Lord’s church involving itself in political and governmental affairs? To this point, God’s word is notably silent. We do not read in the New Testament of any congregation of the Lord’s church gathering to be advocates or instruments of social or political change. We do not read anywhere in scripture of the church organizing campaign efforts or demonstrations against various causes or issues. Without command or example in the New Testament, we must simply conclude that the church is not to be burdened (cf., I Timothy 5:16) with any task that is involved with political or social issues. Many today, however, do not understand that point. For example, one particular internet site advertised the following, “We are The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. Founded in 1994 by an interfaith group of religious leaders, we work to promote interfaith cooperation around shared religious values to strengthen the public’s commitment to the American values of civic participation, freedom of religion, diversity, and civility in public discourse and to encourage the active involvement of people of faith in the nation’s political life.” In addition to the error of this advertisement in regards to II John 9 and the extending of fellowship to those not abiding in the doctrine of Christ, the church simply has no place in being an advocate of “American values of civic participation” or to be the means of mixing faith and politics. The only thing the church is to advocate is the gospel and the saving of men’s souls.

Individually, we may vote, discuss political issues and otherwise engage in “civic participation” as long as it is done according to the laws of the land and as long as such does not become our priority in life (cf., Matthew 6:33). Regardless of the form of government, we are to be lights in the world around us (cf., Philippians 2:15-16; Matthew 5:14-16). When we have an opportunity to legally express our opinion and take a stand in matters of righteousness and wickedness, we should do so with the understanding of Proverbs 14:34 that states, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

While we may appreciate, from a civic point of view, that our nation was founded with the principal of the separation of church and state, let us ever contend, from a spiritual point of view, the purity of the mission of the Lord’s church and never burden it with any such political or social cause, regardless of the government we may be under.