This winter, the Michigan District presents its Theological Conferences on Church, State, and CULTURE at five locations (two simulcast).
These conferences cover a relevant, significant, and critically important topic for Christians to understand, especially in this day and age, and under the circumstances in which we live.
We are especially grateful that God has blessed us with three knowledgeable, interesting, and engaging presenters. Rev. Dr. Korey Maas, former Associate Professor of Theology and Church History at Christ College, Irvine, Calif. and present Assistant Professor of History at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich. Dr. Maas will share the topic of “Natural Law” and how it has shaped state, church, and culture. Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, President of Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Mo. will present “If Men Were Angels …” a secular look from the United States Constitution and how the Lutheran understanding of the original intent fits in. Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, Executive Director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), has entitled his presentation, “Render Unto Ceasar.” He will show us how the Church is being shaped by government and how the Church can/will/must influence culture.
Apostle Paul and the Christian’s Relationship with Government
Although it is important to note that there is no single passage in the Bible that presents everything the Holy Scripture has to say about government or ruling authorities, I would like to take a brief look at Romans 13:1-7 to begin the discussion on the topic of Church, State, and CULTURE. Romans 13 is something of a summation by the Apostle Paul on how he views the Christian’s relationship with government.
The context, as always, is important. In Romans 12 the great Apostle begins to make application of all the teaching he has shared in the first 11 chapters of Romans. Romans 12:1, in fact, begins with the word “Therefore ….” Paul is saying that in light of all the doctrinal content of the first 11 chapters – “Therefore …” – here’s how you ought to live. As is normal for Paul, when he talks about practical application of biblical truth or doctrine, he talks about relationships. Note that in Romans 12 he first talks about
- our relationship with God, then
- our relationship with the church, then
- our relationship with each other, and finally
- our relationship with our enemies.
In Romans 13, Paul begins by talking about our relationship to government. Paul says that the way we relate to our government is an indication of our understanding of biblical truth and a reflection of our commitment to Christ. Here are the inspired words of the Apostle:
“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” (Romans 13:1-7 NASB1988).
Two Truths about Government
Paul quickly and succinctly explains two truths about all governments: First, civil government is divinely appointed by God for the well-being of its constituents.
“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” (Romans 13:1 NASB1988). The authorities which exist have been established by God. “Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves” (Romans 13:2 NASB1988).
It is critically important to see that Paul does not mention any specific form of government. That being said, I do believe that there are some forms of government that are better than others. But, no human government is perfect. For instance, the Bible does not say, “Everybody ought to be a Republican.” It doesn’t say, “Communism is wrong!” (The background of Communism — godlessness — is wrong.) But the Bible does not say that one form of government is to be the established pattern.
Throughout history, God’s people have lived under many different forms of government. When Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans he was not living in a democracy. He was writing to believers in the capital of the Roman Empire. Christianity at this time was still considered a part of Judaism. Judaism was an accepted and approved religion in the Roman Empire so there was no persecution of the Christians when Paul wrote this. That happened later on. Paul is writing this during a basic, general, societal attitude of neutrality toward Christianity.
The second truth that Paul discloses is that Government leaders are servants of God.
“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” (Romans 13:3-4 NASB1988).
Psalm 72 makes it clear that as God’s servants those who rule are to care for the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged, and justly seek to meet the needs of everybody and not just the privileged few. God expects this and takes this very seriously. This is what is stated in Isaiah 10:1-4,
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain” (NIV).
If you are an unjust ruler, if you’re an unscrupulous governmental leader, you will face God.
The good news is that civil government is earthly and therefore temporary. For the individual who is a child of God by grace through faith, Jesus Christ – for all eternity – is our Savior, our Lord, and our coming King. Jesus is the one we serve. Jesus is the one to Whom we owe total allegiance. One day He will be seen and acknowledged by all for Who and what He really is. Philippians 2 tells us that a day is coming when every knee will bow in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Dual Citizenship
The fact of the matter is that while believers in Christ live here on earth, they have a dual citizenship. Christians are to manage their lives under the rule of the secular government wherever they find themselves living on earth. At the same time they are to recognize, as the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, that “… our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (NIV). In other words, as Christ followers, we are citizens of two worlds: our citizenship is in heaven and also in some earthly country. If you’re a believer here in Michigan, you’re not just a Michigander or an American; you have a citizenship in heaven. Therefore, we have a double allegiance — to God and to our country.
So, how do you keep these truths in focus, in balance? And what happens when there is a conflict between the government we are to submit to here and earth and our allegiance to Christ and His teaching? In Luke 20, Jesus begins to give some counsel for these questions. The Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus. Here is their conversation:
“‘Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. He said to them, ‘Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent” (Luke 20:22-26 NIV).
Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
What belongs to Caesar? Taxes.
What belongs to God? Your complete trust, your life, your loyalty, and your allegiance. At all times we are to, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).
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Obedience To God … May Require Suffering
Always – ALWAYS – our primary obedience is to God regardless of our nationality or whether the government under which we live is good or bad. A good example of how this is to be lived out can be found in Acts 4. Peter and John had been preaching in Jerusalem and filled the whole city with the Good News of Jesus and His resurrection. As a result, many believed which made the Sanhedrin — the Jewish leaders — worried and angered. The end result was that “… they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourself whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20 NIV1984). This was a direct defiance of government. The government said “Stop preaching!” They said, “Forget it! We’ve got to obey God.”
Another example of “godly disobedience” can be found in Acts.
“Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.’ he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’ Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’” (Acts 5:27-29 NIV1984).
Bold, direct defiance … but humble, contrite obedience to God.
Friends, only God deserves our unquestioned allegiance and obedience. There may be times when we have to make moral choices that are unpopular or even “illegal.” At those times, like the Apostles (and other Christians who have gone before us), if the law is in direct contradiction to what God has said, “we must obey God rather than men.”
Carefully read these three passages of Holy Scripture and note there is a common word or thought – submission and subjection – used in them. As you read them ask yourself, “What does it mean to be submissive to, or subject to, rulers, authorities, or those who govern?” Keep in mind that it is an act of the will, an attitude of humble respect, honor, and deliberate, purposeful subservience.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” (Titus 3:1 NIV1984).
“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 … Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” (Romans 13:1, 5 NASB1988).
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:13-15 NIV1984).
Here is, I believe, what is absolutely necessary for us to understand: it is possible to have a submissive attitude toward the government and still disobey an ungodly law — a law which is in direct conflict with what God says in the Bible.
HOW? By being willing to suffer the consequences of breaking that law.
The Apostles, who were submissive to the authorities but who would not disobey the Word of the Lord, were willing to suffer the for the sake of the Gospel. Daniel, who was submissive to the king but would not obey a law that was clearly against the commands of God, was willing to be thrown in the lions’ den. The three young men in Daniel 3 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — when told to bow down to an idol or be thrown into a fiery furnace, said, with all due reverence and respect,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV1984).
Godly Lives are a Witness to, and an Influence on, Culture and Society
So, HOW NOW do we live? HOW NOW do we respond when we disagree with our government? This is something we need to discuss … and will at our Theological Conferences on Church, State, and CULTURE. However, these two Scriptural injunctions are certainties with the Lord’s help:
1. Pray!
In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (NIV1984). Christians should pray for government leaders because the results of those prayers will benefit them and all citizens. If things are going good in the country everyone is blessed.
We are to live godly and holy lives, peaceably … but NEVER compromising our faith in God or our commitment to His Word. God has determined that in this way we will be godly influences in this world … in this country.
2. Live as – BE – a godly influence wherever you live.
Jesus has this to say in Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (NIV1984).
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Salt and light have one similar quality: they penetrate. Salt penetrates food, enhances its flavor, and protects or preserves it. It keeps things from going rotten. As Christians, through our godly lives we are to penetrate our culture and influence government for good.
Light penetrates darkness and opens the way to understanding as opposed to living in darkness and chaos. We are the light of the world. We are the city on a hill. God has placed us here in the world at this time to let our light – His light – shine so that others may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.
A little bit of salt makes a difference. A little bit of light makes a big difference. We are not helpless or overrun. Christians can make a difference in their culture, society, and government.
I look forward to meeting you, listening, learning, and growing with you as well as being blessed with you at one of the Michigan District’s Theological Conference on Church, State, and CULTURE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your understanding and gain wisdom for the issues that we are facing, be inspired, and grow in your faith.
King Jesus is with us … forever!
A Child of the King with you,
Pastor David Maier
