RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
State of Affairs:
Reflection Essay on Christianity and The State
Submitted to Dr. Dietmar Schulze,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO650-D05
Public Theology
by
Seth Ethan Bailey
11/21/2021
Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………
…3
Reflection………………………………………………………………………………………...
.4
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….
.6
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..
.7
ii
Introduction
To develop leadership that represents Christ, understands the state of
secular identities, and presents political matters as politics and not social
identity is important and, in my opinion, rare. There is no need to
Christianize society, as individuals would lose the choice of free will. The
desire for wedding church and state blurs lines of patriotism and religion.
Something we’ve seen happen in the worst of scenes. To ever consider
bridging the gap would be contradicting to those who created this America,
a
s
“
f
o
r
one
thi
ng
,
va
r
i
o
us
Ame
r
i
ca
n
f
ound
e
r
s
s
uch
a
s
T
homa
s
J
e
ff
e
r
s
on
and
Ben Franklin, though sympathetic to the influence of biblical religion, were
Deists, not Christians”
1
. History has shown the negative effects when Church
dominates State. The imposing parties more often than not limit freedoms
and endorse the highest level of punishment for those who do not follow the
rules. I believe that in order for there to be a positive relationship with the
church, with the state, and with politics we must ask that the church provide
services that aim to show the love and works of Christ. McQuilkin and Copan
tell us that “that it is imperative for the church either directly or through its
representatives to organize medical care, social care, financial care,
involvement in education, correction of poverty and all other ‘works of
mercy.’ Thus the church influences society”
2
.This influence can stem from
positive Christian engagement in society by providing the ability to accept
multiple views of all three aspects but leading through the love of Christ to
1
McQuilkin, Robertson, and Paul Copan. 2014. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics:
Walking in the Way of Wisdom. Third edition. IVP.
2
Ibid
show His grace and mercy, thereby allowing for others to see His ways and
increasing messengers for God.
Reflection
I think church and state should be separate. “When human
government aims to control the religious life of the people, the result has
rarely been to the benefit of religious life”
3
. I believe it is okay to have beliefs
that address secular topics but should not necessarily dominate politics
either. We also should not lean on state to solve our religious needs either.
When I was reading the first part of Biblical Ethics I came across the passage
of money. Something that always creates a stir regardless of if it is talked
about in church or secularly. When pastors talk about tithes and offerings
some people get upset because they already pay taxes. However, we know
that God, the creator of the universe hold, mold, creates, and keeps all.
“Robertson and Copan (2014) tell us that “But all humans—including Caesar!
—are made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26–27), and everything
we have belongs to God the Creator. He is master over Caesar and over our
money, including tax money”
4
. Ideally that means that when we give unto
the church it is not for the benefit of Pastors to get rich off their members but
as a sacrifice in respect to God who has allowed us to congregate in the
church as one.
3
Ibid
4 Ibid
It has been said that complete power for one set group or people ruins
all things. The same can be applied to the aspect of a church ran
government. “Even if the church or church people could control government,
it would not be a good thing. Religious totalitarianism is no better than
secular totalitarianism, which is becoming an increasing threat in the West”
5
.
I personally do not see the need for such control because God rules all
things, and doing this would be a complete disservice to Him. It is saying we
do not trust in Him to lead and rule. It is acknowledging Him but using
Christianity as a cover to be a god. If there is any doubt as to if church and
state should be separate look to humanistic framework that allows for
support of all religions. The continuation allows for free will, and also keeps
government from monitoring moral standards. I believe that if we allow for
government to discern morality we are all doomed because “the government
is made up of human beings whose values and ideals determine the laws of
that people. This sense of “what ought to be” comes from the entire cultural
milieu, but most of all from the religious convictions of the people”
6
. There
a
r
e
no
pe
r
f
e
ct
pe
o
p
l
e
,
s
ave
J
e
s
u
s
C
hr
i
s
t
o
ur
L
o
r
d
,
who
to
ok
the
f
o
r
m
o
f
man
so that we all could be save through Him.
Furthermore, the role of the church is to in fact bring good news of the
salvation of Christ and making believers and disciples of others. This cannot
be achieved by a dictatorship. McQuilkin and Copan agree and state that the
church
s
ho
ul
d
conce
ntr
a
te
on
i
ts
p
r
i
ma
r
y
mi
ss
i
on
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de
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b
y
J
e
s
us
and
the
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
apostles and clearly taught in the New Testament. But, as we have earlier
argued, the church does have an obligation to its community as “salt” and
light”.
7
It is the mission of Christians to show Christlike love and go out into
the world and be a bridge to salvation and dedication of lives to God. Being a
p
a
r
t
o
f
the
chu
r
ch
mi
ss
i
on
i
s
to
f
ul
fi
ll
the
g
oa
l
s
o
f
J
e
s
us
thr
o
ug
h
Go
d
,
and
th
a
t
is the freedom of Christ in everyone’s lives. This cannot be achieved if people
are made to follow because of a dictatorship. The most effective way I
believe based on what McQuilkin and Copan have written is that if we limit
the church to actions that are bible based then we can in fact help based on
the emphasis on the Scripture.
Conclusion
We must strive to be Christians that foster positive relationship with
the church, with the state, and with politics. We must ask that the church
provide services that aim to show the love and works of Christ. This is
important as we are reflections of Christ, and in order to reflect properly we
must stand in his image. This means showing love, tolerance, and being
graceful in all matters. Even if lines become blurred in some conversations
and topics, with the help of Christ, I believe he can show us the way to clarity
even if it takes some time. Yet, we must strive to want to be in that vein. It is
there for us to walk according to the will and purpose of the Father, and that
comes with understanding the church and state are separate, and politics
have no inclination of a person’s salvation.
7 Ibid
Bibliography
McQuilkin, Robertson, and Paul Copan. 2014. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the
Way of Wisdom. Third edition. IVP.
