Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/81

Contributor - Rev. Will Kroon

Title - The Relationship Between Church and State

Topic - Church In The World

Let me point out from the outset that the relationship between Church and State is complex and controversial. Some Christians will stress one side of the problem and others the other side. Already in the New Testament Christians wrestled with this matter. At that time they were confronted with the powerful Gnostic Movement, which stressed the unbiblical thought that the world is evil and that Christians should pay attention only to matters pertaining to the Spirit. This movement was a real threat to the Church and it took quite some time before the Church made up its mind as to how it should relate to the world, to the State and to its government.

Even in our time there is still a strong Gnostic streak left in the Church. It is not uncommon to hear Christians say that the world is evil and that a Christian should separate himself from it. Many pietist movements are inclined to lean toward such a view and suggest a break with the world and its perils. They condemn the world and remain indifferent to what is happening in it.

However, I want to stress from the very beginning that even though these thoughts are appealing and very convincing, they lack Biblical authority. At least we notice that the early Christians reacted strongly toward the Gnostic influence. They began to stress that in spite of all that has happened to this world, it is still "our Father's world". Furthermore, they began to preach with great fervor that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish . . ." (John 3:16).

What are Some of The Problems?

There are various reasons why Christians are inclined to support a separation of Church and State. For instance, it is not uncommon to sense the frustrations of some Christians who feel that Church leaders talk about political issues of which they are not competent, to people who are not that interested. In their frustrations they may go to the other extreme by saying that clergymen have no business dabbling in political talk. They find it boring to hear sermons on the dangers of atomic weapons , or the pros and cons of selling warplanes to the Arabs. What these people are concerned about is what the Bible has to say, how a person can get ready to meet the Lord face-to-face, or what good news there is for those who are crippled by grief and sickness. They want to hear a personal message that effects them and their needs.

Furthermore, there are a goodly number of Christians who feel that the Church has become a prisoner of the State. This is not the case in Canada, but it has been and still is the case in various nations of the world. These Christians are tired of being used by the State. When their government makes decisions they know that it expects the Church to bless them. When war is declared, Christians are expected to pray for victory; when destroyers are built the Church is asked to bless them when they are christened. When in years past the explorers conquered the world, missionaries were recruited to make these actions acceptable. While the missionaries were preaching the Gospel, they were stripping the natives of their wealth.

Even today there are western governments which claim the right to appoint bishops and pay for some of the expenses of the Church. It is understandable that many feel ill at ease at being used. They want to be free to speak what God wants them to speak and so they advocate a total separation between Church and State.

Becoming Strangers to the World

However, there are other concerns to be taken into consideration. For instance, can the Church separate itself from the affairs of the State and what will happen if that would take place? Does not the past make us aware that when the Church becomes "other-worldly", when it separates itself from the world, that it then no longer has its feet on the ground and that is not longer can speak to the hurts of those who live in the world? Furthermore, when the Church begins to isolate itself, it often becomes selfish, rich, indifferent and irresponsible. It loses its right to speak to the world for it has withdrawn from it. When the Church is in such a state it needs to take a closer look at the words of Jesus when He said: "You are the salt of the earth". Salt is not kept away from whatever affairs we are dealing with; it is meant to penetrate it.

Be in the world but not of it. That is the message which Jesus left with us. He still loves the world and is concerned about its well-being.

When we study the books of the Old Testament we notice that there is no separation between Church and State; the one is connected to the other and God is the Lord of both. When the political forces got the upper hand, the temple was neglected and the Word of God became scarce. On the other hand, when the religious forces usurped power from the State, the religious leaders lost their missionary fervor. King Solomon is a good example of that. Ana there have been several Popes who have fallen into the same trap.

Conclusions

I believe that both the Church and the State are under the care of God. And even though their functions are different, both are related to one another. While politicians are given the responsibility to be in charge of the welfare of the State, Christians are asked to pray for them and to obey them. On the other hand. it is a must for the Church to think along and to bring to the attention of the State the moral and ethical issues that confront us all. We may go one step further. It is the duty of the Church to expose the evils that corrupt society, even as the prophets of old used to do. For instance, it is quite in order to speak up against men like Hitler and Stalin and to ask serious questions from Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Reagan. When politicians make decisions that enslave people, that corrupt justice or that drive people away from God, the Church has the responsibility to show concern and warn its people. That is why our denomination speaks out on matters such as El Salvador and abortion.

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