Christian Hub
9 months ago
The New Testament's Teaching on Christians and the State: No Enforcement of Christian Religion
Jesus Christ, the supreme Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the universe, has a specific plan to accomplish his saving purposes in the world. His plan does not involve relying on the powers of civil government to teach, defend, or spread the Christian religion as such. In other words, followers of Christ should not use the sword of civil government to enforce or promote any idea or behavior as explicitly Christian.
To understand this argument, it is important to clarify what we mean by "explicitly Christian" and "the Christian religion as such." The state has the right to teach, defend, and spread ideas and behaviors that Christians support, but that is not the same as advocating for the Christian faith as such. The New Testament opposes Christians looking to the state to promote the Christian religion. Instead, it calls for Christians to rely on the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to spread the message of Christ.
This essay is not primarily about church-state relations, but rather about the Christian religion itself. It is important to note that Christians can reject the idea of a state church while still advocating for the state's enforcement of the Christian religion. This essay argues that such an approach goes against the teachings of the New Testament and disobeys the lordship of Christ.
The New Testament teaches that Christians should not use the power of the state to threaten or punish those who do not confess Christ as Lord. The New Testament does not give the church or the state the authority to use force against non-Christian beliefs or expressions of those beliefs that are not crimes. Christians are called to love their neighbors and share the truth of the gospel, but they are not called to use the state as a means of enforcing their beliefs.
Jesus himself made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world, and his followers do not fight with the weapons of the world. The power of Christ's kingdom is not found in the sword of civil government, but in the blood he shed on the cross. The gospel message conquers hearts and minds, not through physical force, but through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The New Testament also teaches that the kingdom of Christ is invisible and spiritual in nature. It is not tied to any earthly nation or political system. Believers have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13), and their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). As sojourners and exiles in this world, Christians are called to live lives of holiness and conduct themselves honorably among non-believers (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Christians are called to be influencers in society, using their Christian faith to inform their political views and advocate for truth and righteousness. They can support laws that align with their Christian convictions, such as protecting the lives of the unborn. However, advocating for these laws is not the same as using the powers of the state to establish explicitly Christian policies or laws.
The Bible teaches that Christians should use spiritual weapons, not earthly ones, in their battle against evil (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). The weapons of the Christian's warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Christians are called to destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, not through physical force, but through the power of the Spirit and the truth of God's word.
The kingdom of Christ was taken from Israel and given to the church (Matthew 21:43). This transition brought about a change in the way the people of God are constituted in the world. The church is now a chosen race, a holy nation, and a people for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9). The church is made up of believers from all nations, and all believers are priests (Revelation 1:6).
Under the new covenant, the church deals with sin and disobedience through excommunication, not through the punishments of the Old Testament law. The church seeks repentance and restoration, not capital punishment, for those who engage in idolatry, adultery, or other sins. The church looks to Christ as the ultimate judge, who will punish blasphemy and idolatry in the last day.
The establishment of a "Christian state" obscures the true nature of Christianity and leads to hypocrisy. Outward conformity to religious traditions without true faith does not please God. Christians are called to clean the inside of the cup and plate, to live lives of genuine faith and love for Christ.
The Bible teaches that Christians should submit to the governing authorities and honor the emperor (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). However, this does not mean that the state should use its power to establish or advance the Christian religion. The good works that rulers should praise are not necessarily explicit expressions of Christian faith, but acts of civic responsibility and practical kindness.
In conclusion, the New Testament teaches that Christians should not rely on the powers of civil government to teach, defend, or spread the Christian religion as such. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and his followers should use spiritual weapons, not earthly ones. The kingdom of Christ was taken from Israel and given to the church, and the church deals with sin and disobedience through excommunication. The establishment of a "Christian state" obscures the true nature of Christianity and leads to hypocrisy. Christians should submit to the governing authorities, but not look to the state to enforce or promote the Christian faith.
To understand this argument, it is important to clarify what we mean by "explicitly Christian" and "the Christian religion as such." The state has the right to teach, defend, and spread ideas and behaviors that Christians support, but that is not the same as advocating for the Christian faith as such. The New Testament opposes Christians looking to the state to promote the Christian religion. Instead, it calls for Christians to rely on the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to spread the message of Christ.
This essay is not primarily about church-state relations, but rather about the Christian religion itself. It is important to note that Christians can reject the idea of a state church while still advocating for the state's enforcement of the Christian religion. This essay argues that such an approach goes against the teachings of the New Testament and disobeys the lordship of Christ.
The New Testament teaches that Christians should not use the power of the state to threaten or punish those who do not confess Christ as Lord. The New Testament does not give the church or the state the authority to use force against non-Christian beliefs or expressions of those beliefs that are not crimes. Christians are called to love their neighbors and share the truth of the gospel, but they are not called to use the state as a means of enforcing their beliefs.
Jesus himself made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world, and his followers do not fight with the weapons of the world. The power of Christ's kingdom is not found in the sword of civil government, but in the blood he shed on the cross. The gospel message conquers hearts and minds, not through physical force, but through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The New Testament also teaches that the kingdom of Christ is invisible and spiritual in nature. It is not tied to any earthly nation or political system. Believers have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13), and their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). As sojourners and exiles in this world, Christians are called to live lives of holiness and conduct themselves honorably among non-believers (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Christians are called to be influencers in society, using their Christian faith to inform their political views and advocate for truth and righteousness. They can support laws that align with their Christian convictions, such as protecting the lives of the unborn. However, advocating for these laws is not the same as using the powers of the state to establish explicitly Christian policies or laws.
The Bible teaches that Christians should use spiritual weapons, not earthly ones, in their battle against evil (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). The weapons of the Christian's warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Christians are called to destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, not through physical force, but through the power of the Spirit and the truth of God's word.
The kingdom of Christ was taken from Israel and given to the church (Matthew 21:43). This transition brought about a change in the way the people of God are constituted in the world. The church is now a chosen race, a holy nation, and a people for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9). The church is made up of believers from all nations, and all believers are priests (Revelation 1:6).
Under the new covenant, the church deals with sin and disobedience through excommunication, not through the punishments of the Old Testament law. The church seeks repentance and restoration, not capital punishment, for those who engage in idolatry, adultery, or other sins. The church looks to Christ as the ultimate judge, who will punish blasphemy and idolatry in the last day.
The establishment of a "Christian state" obscures the true nature of Christianity and leads to hypocrisy. Outward conformity to religious traditions without true faith does not please God. Christians are called to clean the inside of the cup and plate, to live lives of genuine faith and love for Christ.
The Bible teaches that Christians should submit to the governing authorities and honor the emperor (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). However, this does not mean that the state should use its power to establish or advance the Christian religion. The good works that rulers should praise are not necessarily explicit expressions of Christian faith, but acts of civic responsibility and practical kindness.
In conclusion, the New Testament teaches that Christians should not rely on the powers of civil government to teach, defend, or spread the Christian religion as such. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and his followers should use spiritual weapons, not earthly ones. The kingdom of Christ was taken from Israel and given to the church, and the church deals with sin and disobedience through excommunication. The establishment of a "Christian state" obscures the true nature of Christianity and leads to hypocrisy. Christians should submit to the governing authorities, but not look to the state to enforce or promote the Christian faith.
POST COMMENT
For post a new comment. You need to login first. Login
COMMENTS(0)
No Comment yet. Be the first :)