The Christian and the State
Posted by Pastor Pat on March 1, 2009
What is the role of the Christian, the local church, and the pastor as it relates to issues of morality, legislation and the government? Do we have a role? Do we have a voice? Is there a responsibility laid on us by God toward those who would perpetuate evil?
Before our nationalism and patriotism “lurches forward,” Christians have a first and primary responsibility to God. When Peter found himself questioned by the local government authorities and was pressured to end his activity, he responded with, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
As United States citizens we have marked such events as “Roe versus Wade,” “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” “President’s Day,” “Holocaust Remembrance Day,” “Earth Day, Labor Day,” “National Day of Prayer,” “Memorial Day,” “Flay Day,” “Independence Day,” “Labor Day,” and “Thanksgiving,” to name just a few. All of these “holidays” touch critical issues such as the sanctity of life, racism, equality, slavery, government, just war, environmentalism, patriotism, civil disobedience, work, and welfare.
