RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Reflection Essay: Christianity and the State
Submitted to Dr. Malcolm Hester
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
RTCH 650-D01
Public Theology
By
Richard Heath Buster
April 10, 2022
The consideration of the balance between the church and the state within the public
sphere is of the utmost importance, not only for those within the church but for all those who fall
under the authority of governmental systems. Throughout history governmental and political
systems have had varying degrees of connection to religious traditions and teachings. These have
ranged from atheistic communist systems to nations and empires that have fallen under direct
rule of the church. Even during the times of the Roman empire, religion played a significant role
within the political system. The issue with which we must wrestle, especially in western society
and particularly the United States of America, is the extent to which the church can influence the
government, as well as the authority the government might wield over the church. Of particular
interest is the consideration of the role of Christians as individuals and as a community of faith
within the framework of the political processes and government institutions. As McQuilkin and
Copan note, “we cannot be neutral about the issue.”1 The spectrum of beliefs among Christians
and communities of faith, from complete withdrawal to active participation, all take some
position presumably based upon some particular consideration of biblical understanding and
human reasoning.2 As Christians, and as members of the larger society and culture and
proclaimers of the gospel message, it is necessary to understand from a biblical worldview the
basic responsibilities the church has to the society in which has been planted by God. It is also
requisite to consider the looming dangers which may linger based upon any personal or
congregational decision of the extent of such involvement.
Many of the decisions and issues facing society are approached from the dichotomous
relationship between liberal and conservative ideologies. Christians in America often wander
down these paths in terms of adherence to a particular political party as being deemed the more
1 Robertson McQuilkin and Paul Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom,
3rd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014), 517.
2 Ibid., 517.
biblical. However, followers of Jesus must always bear in mind that party identification is not
tied to identification as a Christian.3 Beginning prior to the inception of the United States of
America as a nation, the church within the borders of the nation now recognized has been a
fountain of gospel saturation throughout the world. Inherent in this movement has been the
involvement of the church in the political realm while standing against direct government
intrusion in the actions of the church. The standard proclamation of the relationship has been the
government and Christian institutions has been the philosophy of separation of the Church and
the State.4 The purpose of these efforts has been to create a “wall of separation” whereby neither
institution would be in direct control of the other, standing in contrast to the systems of infusion
between the two systems found in earlier European nations, and was imbedded in the First
Amendment to the Constitution.5
As the separation between the two institutions has been a part of the framework to the
society and culture established in the founding of the United States, the impact of individual
believer’s participation is still a point of contention. The issue arises significantly concerning
individual and group participation by citizens which shifts toward forms of control either from
the believers over the government, or intrusion of the government into the religious institutions.6
As Christians become increasingly involved in the political arena, attempts can often be made
toward dissuasion through coercion or punishment against those who would stand in opposition
through statement or action to the norms set forth. This brings up the consideration that cannot be
escaped, that in a nation where the majority seemingly holds the power, if a new religious
institution takes over the power, they can then shift the norms and laws toward their own beliefs.7
3 Ibid., 517.
4 Ibid., 525.
5 Ibid., 525.
6 Ibid., 530.
7 Ibid., 531.
Any concept of religious totalitarianism cannot be distinguished from the philosophies of secular
totalitarianism in that both systems seek to silence the dissent of detractors and prop up its own
system as the right system. For Christians this leads to the consideration of the balance in society
between the religious and the political and how far the church may go in seeking to dictate its
moral philosophies and beliefs upon the greater society.
This danger of the introduction of any particular religious institution directly into the
political system in the United States is that the gate is then opened for all philosophical and
ideologies to enter through other religious institutions. In modern America where religion has
historically been allowed to be directly involved in politics, the growth of humanism has
established a political philosophy that religious is welcome so long as it adheres to something
other than a traditional ideology.8 Humanism has placed the central tenet of truth and moral
differentiation squarely in the realm of pliable thought which can be altered or discharged simply
on the desires of those who happen to hold power at any given time. This has led to an ever-
increasing legal framework which has become confusing and often contradictory. Though the
Christian understands that people are corrupt and that laws are necessary to protect citizens from
corrupt behavior,9 often the humanistic philosophy only recognizes its detractors as corrupt.
Therefore, Christians must lead in society to strike the balance between the power of both the
religious and the political into the public sphere.
Ultimately, both the religious and political must be recognized as necessary in the lives of
individuals and the public sphere, with each impacting but not directing the other.10 The political
arena is a necessary part of society, and this necessitates that followers of Christ must endeavor
to walk through this arena carefully and with due respect for the institutions which God has
8 Ibid., 533.
9 Ibid., 534.
10 Ibid., 539.
authorizes (Rom 13:1-7). Christians must walk in this world as witness to the truth of God and as
witnesses of Jesus. They must not find themselves venturing into the realm of absolute zealotry
or legalism whereby they become persecutors rather than purveyors of the grace of God.11 The
work of political participation by the believer is to be a means of carrying out the mission and
teachings of God in proclaiming the gospel and offering provision for those who are suffering
under the power of others. Where acting to effect change within society, believers must
remember that the passing of laws and regulations is not essential in seeing others come into a
saving relationship with Christ.12 Christians are called of God to reflect the light of Christ in
society, including the political sphere. Active participation within the political arena by the
Christian must be seen as another avenue to proclaiming the truth of God to a fallen world.
11 Ibid., 536.
12 Ibid., 540.
Bibliography
Robertson, McQuilkin and Paul Copan. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way
of Wisdom, 3rd ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014.
