Christians and Government; Can there really be separation of church and State?
Recently, I had someone ask me about a believer’s involvement in government. My reply was that we are not called to reform the world but to introduce the world to the One Who will transform it. I also related Paul’s admonition that we should be faithful to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:2) We are to “fear God and honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17) That’s just being a good citizen and conducting oneself intelligently!
There is another side to the question, however. Americans are in a unique position, probably the only time the church has existed in this peculiar environment. In America, we are the church, but we are also the government. It is “we the people”, and we are the people. And, the church in not an institution or buildings; it also is people, and we are those people. That means that there really can be no pure separation of church and State! I agree, of course, that where there are “church governments”, they must not be commingled with the State; and, the State must “pass no laws respecting the establishment of religion.” That being said, the church in America (true believers) is still the government; IE, “we the people”! We have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of every other citizen.
All this is an interesting dilemma, one that the Bible does not specifically address. Or, does it? If I am the government and I am to pray for the government, then I must pray for myself and others like me. I must pray for wisdom, courage, and direction to exercise a righteous involvement in the government of which God, in His sovereignty, has made me a part. And, if the purpose of government (from the believer’s point of view) is to allow us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”, then I must interact, vote, and possibly even lead in that government. And, in order to achieve those ends, I must vote and promote my biblical convictions. To do anything else would be contrary to my calling.
I admit that it is often enticing to just go into an ecclesiastical shell and let the world govern itself, but that will not work in America. If the godly do not vote and involve themselves in government, we will just “vote” for and support the ungodly who will. To abstain is to vote with the majority! We must not be intimidated by the judgments and accusations of liberals who cry “separation of church and state” and even some conservatives who think religion has no place in government. Religion is already in government because we are America!
The godly have always had a voce. It’s time to use it! Speak up America! Speak what you believe and what you are. In America, it’s the right thing to do.
There is another side to the question, however. Americans are in a unique position, probably the only time the church has existed in this peculiar environment. In America, we are the church, but we are also the government. It is “we the people”, and we are the people. And, the church in not an institution or buildings; it also is people, and we are those people. That means that there really can be no pure separation of church and State! I agree, of course, that where there are “church governments”, they must not be commingled with the State; and, the State must “pass no laws respecting the establishment of religion.” That being said, the church in America (true believers) is still the government; IE, “we the people”! We have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of every other citizen.
All this is an interesting dilemma, one that the Bible does not specifically address. Or, does it? If I am the government and I am to pray for the government, then I must pray for myself and others like me. I must pray for wisdom, courage, and direction to exercise a righteous involvement in the government of which God, in His sovereignty, has made me a part. And, if the purpose of government (from the believer’s point of view) is to allow us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”, then I must interact, vote, and possibly even lead in that government. And, in order to achieve those ends, I must vote and promote my biblical convictions. To do anything else would be contrary to my calling.
I admit that it is often enticing to just go into an ecclesiastical shell and let the world govern itself, but that will not work in America. If the godly do not vote and involve themselves in government, we will just “vote” for and support the ungodly who will. To abstain is to vote with the majority! We must not be intimidated by the judgments and accusations of liberals who cry “separation of church and state” and even some conservatives who think religion has no place in government. Religion is already in government because we are America!
The godly have always had a voce. It’s time to use it! Speak up America! Speak what you believe and what you are. In America, it’s the right thing to do.
2 Comments:
I've been reading a lot of John Piper's books lately, and I found something in "Don't Waste Your Life" that seems rather pertinent to this blog. He says in Chapter 8 ("Making Much of Your Life From 8 to 5"):
"Enclaves of Christians living only with Christians and working only with Christians would not accomplish God's whole purpose in the world. The vast majority of Christians are meant to live in the world and work among unbelievers....Our creation in God's image leads directly to our privilege and duty to 'subdue' the earth and 'have dominion' over it [referring to Gen. 1:28]. In other words, we should be busy understanding and shaping and designing and using God's creation in a way that calls attention to his worth and wakens worship."
Piper is reminding us to seize every opportunity to represent Christ to the world. Many Christians go to great lengths to create new opportunities to reach out to their communities, but forget about the opportunity provided by birth as an American citizen! When, in the political arena, it comes time to say something that will be very unpopular (for example, the truth), don't worry about the negative reaction you'll receive. In fact, based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:11 we ought to consider ourselves lucky to be in that kind of situation: "Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake."
How great that we live in America where every citizen has a voice in government! "The mouth of the righteous is a well of life" (Prov. 10:11).
Last night, I found myself standing in the interior of the fort (Ft. Monroe, Hampton,VA) asking questions I did not yet have answers for.
How do you approach a ministry in a government organization and fulfill that role when your personal life's circumstances appear so overwhelming? I found myself flooded with memories before my foreign born spouse, Jose, abandoned our marriage and I recently experienced the harsh reality of stillbirth of our son Samuel alone.
The Centurion Chapel is busy with activity this week making preparations for one of the Chaplains retirement send offs. I am surrounded by so many of influence and governmental authority.
How does one lead a reasonable quiet and peaceful life amidst so many distractions?
What if the present Chaplain of authority does not endorse nor encourage people like you(women in ministry)? How do you swim in these uncharted waters with both grace and humility?
More importantly,how would I want to be defined as a chaplain that is both biblical and Christ like?I carefully read your response word for word, over and over again..
I believe Chaplains are not called to reform this world but to introduce this world to the One Who will transform it.I found this passage to confirm my hearts conviction and desire amongst life's setbacks and disappointments I have already come.
I read the blogs for the pastors carefully and I smiled. Could this be God's way of bringing me to a new church home?
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