WHERE DOES GOD FIT IN GOVERNMENT? WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN CALLED TO DO IN AMERICA?

WHAT DID JESUS SAY? MARK 12:14-17, ESV Pharisees and Herodians: “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” Jesus: “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it…Whose likeness and inscription is this?” Pharisees and Herodians: “Caesar’s.” Jesus: ”Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

WHAT DID OUR FOREFATHERS HAVE TO SAY? “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” - John Adams “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to a political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim that tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness.” - George Washington “He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life, is, or very soon will be, void of all Regard for his country…there is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his Country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections.” - Samuel Adams

WHAT WAS THE VIEW OF THE ’REFORMERS’? THREE OPTIONS… 1.The church should reject participation in any form of government 2.The religion of a king or prince over a region would be the church of the state – therefore each king became their own pope 3.The church should remain independent from the government, recognizing that God’s law reigns over man and his kingdoms – this view “influenced the experiment in constitutional government then beginning in the New World” (Charles Colson, God and Government)

WHAT WAS THE VIEW OF THE ’REFORMERS’? “It is out of the question that there should be a Christian government even over one land…since the wicked always outnumber the good. Hence a man who would venture to govern...with the gospel would be like a shepherd who should place in one fold wolves, lions, eagles and sheep together and let them freely mingle.” – Martin Luther “It is bad to live under a prince who permits nothing, but much worse to live under one who permits everything.” - John Calvin

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY? “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” – Romans 13:4, NLT “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” - 1 Peter 2:13-14, ESV

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY? “I urge you, first of all, to pray for people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” - 1 Timothy 2:1-4, NLT

WHAT IS THE CHURCH? “The community in which through its behavior and mission the reign of God becomes visible, serving as the precursor and avant-garde of the society that will be fulfillment of all hope.” - Stephen Charles Mott, Biblical Ethics and Social Change “The church is not the actual Kingdom of God, but is to reflect the love, justice and righteousness of God’s Kingdom within society.” - Charles Colson, God and Government

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE WITHDRAW? EXAMPLE: WORLD WAR II 1933: Two thirds of the German population (45M people) are Lutheran, “who traditionally kept their noses entirely out of politics” (Charles Colson, God and Government) 1938: Winston Churchill promotes government’s first duty “not to avoid confrontations with evil but to restrain it” 1945: The atom bomb is dropped, ushering in the “Nuclear Era” “We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem is basically theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.” - General Douglas MacArthur

WHAT ARE WE TO DO? 1.Realize our ultimate allegiance is always to God (Acts 5:29) and our job is to make disciples wherever we are (Matthew 28:19) 2.Given 1, realize God asks us to submit to governmental authority (Romans 13:4 and I Peter 2:13-14), pray for those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4) and give to the government what is due to the government (Mark 12:14-17) 3.Realize that God has placed us where we are and we are to make the most of every opportunity (I Corinthians 7:20-21) 4.Don’t detract from the Truth by making it as important as your opinion