What are the proper roles of church and state?
Both the Church and the State are ordained of God -- the Church for the eternal salvation of men, and the State for the maintenance of external righteousness and order among men in this world.
When Jesus asked the disciples who they believed Him to be, Peter replied: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16); and Jesus said that, upon this truth which the Father had revealed to Peter, Jesus would "build [His] church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (v. 17-18). Jesus also said: "If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
On the other hand, the Scriptures say of the government: "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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: 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" (Rom. 13:1-4); and, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
While the State -- civil government -- bears the sword to maintain order, punish evildoers and wage just wars, the Church uses and is ruled by the Word of God.
The Bible says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16); and, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
In order that men might be saved, the Church has been commanded to preach the Word of God and proclaim Jesus Christ crucified as the Savior of mankind. Jesus commanded His disciples to "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16; cf. Rom. 1:16-17; 10:15,17).
To maintain civil order and righteousness in this world, civil governments have been given power and responsibility to enact just laws, punish evildoers (including the use of the death penalty), and to wage just wars (1 Peter 2:13-14; Psalm 82:1-4; Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:3-4).
As Christians, we reject as contrary to the Holy Scriptures any attempt to mix the powers of the Church and the State; such as, attempting to enforce the practice of any religion with the powers of civil government, or attempting to usurp the powers of civil government by any visible organization or outward form of the Church (cf. John 18:11,36; 2 Cor. 10:4-6; Eph. 6:10-18).
Randy Moll is the managing editor for the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 12/17/2014