Introduction
Christianity and the state have been challenged and debated throughout history. After the
ascension of Christ, the first followers of Christ were frequently persecuted by the Roman state
until the Edict Milan permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the
Roman Empire.
As McQuilkin and Copan suggest: “Throughout the history of the church, people have
debated the question of whether it is legitimate to work toward Christianizing society.”1 The
relationship between Christianity and the state continues to evolve in today’s society with
continual debates about religious freedoms and the influences of Christian ethics concerning
legislation and policy.
The Church and State!
I was born and raised in a state of Oklahoma, a state that is considered to be part of the
“Bible Belt” where major Christian denominations were an essential part of community life and
had a momentous impact on national politics. However, there are many legal battles concerning
the Church and The State, such as the legal battle in that started in Oklahoma in 2023 and is still
presently still being debated over funding for what would be a first-in-the-nation religious public
online charter school. This is a battle that will likely end up before the Supreme Court.
Additionally, in 2015 the Supreme Court’s ruling that the half-goat, half-man statue
residing as a protest to the Ten Commandments on the State Capital was unconstitutional and
was withdrawn from the site. However, I realize that we live in a constitutional republic rather
than a theocracy of God, which is the first form of government known to mankind. It was
1 McQuilkin, Robertson, and Copan, Paul. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in
the Way of Wisdom. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press, 2013. 517.
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replaced in biblical times when Israel wanted a king or ruler like the pagan nations and so God
gave them human kings (1 Sam. 8:4-9).
Taking a Biblical Stance
The context of Christianity and state is well represented in the Word of God, for example,
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which
God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom13:1-3
NIV). I understand that in the context of the Book of Romans, Paul tells us how the citizens of
the Kingdom of God are to relate to human kingdoms and governments.
Nonetheless, McQuilkin and Copan suggest that: “While Christians are to have an
influence as salt and light in society (Mt 5:13–16), they may be in grave danger of idolatry by
putting trust in the horses and chariots of majoritarianism rather than in God himself.”2 In our
current situation of government in the 21st century as a Christian, it is hard to see in today’s
governmental leadership the influence that the Western history once displayed.
Church and State Relationship
I respect the Church-state relationship with the guidance of God’s Word as I teach our
youth that God has ordained government as we study “The Dispensation of Government,” and
that God tells us to obey the laws of the land (Rom.1:7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17). McQuilkin and Copan
state that: “It is possible to arrange the relationship between church and state in various ways:
state controls church; church controls state; church and state are assigned mutually exclusive
roles; or church and state have distinct spheres of responsibility but with mutual respect and
negotiated authority and influence.”3 The church’s responsibility is to focus on the spiritual and
moral guidance of individuals, while the state focuses on governing society and maintaining
2 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 520.
3 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 529.
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order. McQuilkin and Copan suggest: “The church’s primary responsibility involves proclaiming
the good news of the gospel and making disciples (Mt 28:18–19).”4 The obligation of Christians
encompasses witnessing the gospel, encouraging justice and compassion, and appealing in public
dialog with uprightness and humility. As for the government, it is not to be self-serving but to
serve the “good” of the people (Rom 13:4).5 In short, the state's responsibility is to govern the
secular facets of society, such as enforcing laws, and protecting the rights and freedoms of its
citizens.
The Duty and Dangers
There are biblical responsibilities that Christians have in which they must traverse the
perplexing connection between the sacred and secular, gospel and politics, with wisdom and
discernment. Far too often, we see Christians overreaching with their power of influence by
attempting to create laws that the majority of the public disagrees with and is unenthusiastic
about abiding to. McQuilkin and Copan use the example of The Prohibition of 1919.6 While
Christians are called to live out their faith in all areas of life, including governmental issues,
there are potential perils when this influence overreaches.
The danger of this type of influence can cause the erosion of secular governance,
undermining the pluralistic nature of a democratic society, and the coercion of others who do not
have the same faith, leading to resentment and division. McQuilkin and Copan quote Christian
theologian Mirroslav Volf who writes: “When it comes to the public role of religion, the main
fear is that of imposition—one faith imposing aspects of its own way of life on others.”7
4 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 544.
5 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 544.
6 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 539.
7 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 539.
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Christians have an obligation to emphatically participate in the open arena and impact society by
sustaining a balance between their faith and political engagement.
Conclusion
In conclusion of Christianity and the state, Christians are at risk because of their duties,
facing potential dangers that can cause a compromise of faith, through syncretism or mail
relativism, falling into political idolatry. McQuilkin and Copan state that: “Christians have lived
under virtually every form of government, and, despite the fall of Communism and the impulse
toward democracy in many nations, most people of the world still live under governments that
severely restrict personal freedom.”8 Christians have adjusted to and impacted various
administrative frameworks over the entire course of time. They must remain faithful in order to
adjust and maintain a distinct sphere for church and state, connecting morally in public, and
continually educating themselves on current concerns.
Bibliography
McQuilkin, Robertson, and Copan, Paul. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way
of Wisdom. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press, 2013.
8 McQuilkin and Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. 558.
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