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.
Do we have the right to sit in silence while the community, nation, and world around us openly violates the Word of God? Is a position of neutrality fulfilling the Christian responsibility? I believe Christians should and must have a voice that is verbal and visual in the promotion of what is right and in the resisting of what is wrong.
As individual Christians, we should vote our faith system every time the opportunity arises. As a local church, we should keep the gospel as the centerpiece of all ministry expressions, and we should seek to minister to our immediate community and state officials. As a pastor of a local church, I believe I have a responsibility to educate and inform as to what the Bible does and does not teach on issues that are culturally relevant. For most Christians, our nationalism and patriotism often define our faith. But it is our faith that is to define and guard our nationalism and patriotism. I do not believe a nation can be Christian. A majority of its people might be, but a nation as a whole cannot be. It is our responsibility as Christians to vote into office those who best reflect the Scripture. If this is true, then it behooves us to know what the Scripture teaches on any number of national issues.
As occasion arises, we will consider various topics over the extended year either through written articles or spoken instruction. I pray the Holy Spirit will use this time to lead us as a fellowship into a clearer understanding of our Christian responsibility to our community, our nation, and our world.
By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths. For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church site.
