Sunday Praise & Worship 10:00
Christian Education - 10:00 - Casual Dress - Loving Childcare
|
|
|
|
Key Verse: Titus 3:1 “Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.” Soon after the Israelites entered the promised land, they began to beg God to give them a king. God warned them, through the Judge Samuel, that an earthy king would not have their best interests at heart, and would compete with God for their allegiance and affection (1 Samuel 22). God tells Samuel to relent: “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” The relationship between the church and the state has always been an uneasy partnership at best. Government hostility and persecution of the church have been more conducive to faith than periods of partnership, when the church accommodates the government’s demands to the point of apostasy. For three centuries, the Christian movement flourished under waves of Roman persecution. Then Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, and forced all subjects of the Holy Roman Empire to accept the faith. Clearly this kind of coercive slavery was contrary to the free invitation of the Gospel. Church/State relationships involve two kinds of dilemmas. On the one hand, state-sponsored religion coerces followers and competes with God’s ultimate authority. On the other, people of faith must learn how to be in the world but not of it (see John 17:14-15). In Daniel 3 and 6, God protects his people who disobey laws commanding them to worship the king. When asked if Jews should pay government taxes, Jesus replied famously: “give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God” (Matthew 22:21). Ironically, his capital trial included accusations that he refused to pay taxes. His followers were no less afraid of the Jewish officials, who represented both religious and civil authority. In Acts 4 and 5, Peter and the others practice civil disobedience, claiming: "We must obey God rather than human authority” (Acts 5:29). Yet Titus 3 seems to council a more accommodating posture toward the government, as does Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, and 1 Peter 2:13-17. What are we to make of this inconsistency? And what do these Biblical perspectives have to do with prayer in our schools and 10 commandments in our courtrooms? Proverbs 24:21 warns us to “fear the Lord and the king.” God’s Kingdom banishes violence of any kind. Just as Jesus Christ submitted to death at the hands of the Roman government, Paul reminds Christ followers to submit to these principalities and powers, knowing that they derive their power from God alone. Which does not mean that God endorses any earthly ruler – just that God will ultimately prevail and protect those who serve him above all other masters. The key to understanding this balance is in Paul’s use of the phrase “principalities and powers” to which Christ-followers are to be obedient. The phrase occurs just eight times in the New Testament, and when it does, it refers to authorities or rulers other than God. They are strong, even ruling in the heavens and in the depths of hell, but God is Lord of these lords and King of these kings. Take a look at them all: Ephesians 1:21-23, Ephesians 3:9-10, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, Colossians 2:10-15, Titus 3:1. Questions for Reflection 1. When in your life has your allegiance to God come into conflict with an earthly allegiance, to the government, your family, your boss, teacher, coach or friends (even, perhaps, the church)? How did you decide to act in this conflict? What were the consequences? Did God protect you? 2. Where do you think the boundary is between tolerance and coercion? How do you think Jesus calls us to live in a world of many religious beliefs (and non-beliefs)? Read Acts 17:16-34. 3. What are your beliefs concerning the following church/state issues: Mandatory Christian prayer in public schools; Christian art and symbols (including the 10 Commandments) on display in government facilities; Government or patriotic art and symbols (including the flag) on display in places of worship; Christians serving in the military (or refusing to serve); the use of the Christian Bible in courtrooms or during government ceremonies; laws enacted to enforce religious beliefs or practices (such as prohibition)? What Biblical resources inform your beliefs? What Christian traditions? What line of reasoning? What experiences inform your beliefs? For Next Week: Read Romans 12:17-21. We will focus on Capital Punishment, War, and Civil Justice from a Christian perspective. |
|
