Church and State: Biblical View on Their Relationship

Abstract

The relationship between church and state has been a contentious issue historically. The greatest challenge for the church has been its response to the governing authorities, especially when they do not subscribe to godly values. Should the church encourage or dissuade its members from submitting to such powers? Romans 13 highlights some guidelines on the relationship between church and state, showing what God expected the believers in the first century to do when relating to governing authorities. The paper draws some principles from the religious and governance system of the Old Testament Israel. Through library research, this study shows that God mandates authorities to govern on his behalf and that rulers should not be a terror to the upright but are to serve as God’s servants to punish the evil doer, maintain justice, and collect taxes for public service. God, in his sovereignty, desires to establish order in the world through governments. In this imperfect world, the believer is a dual citizen of heaven and earth with first allegiance to God. The only exception of the Romans 13:1 imperative is when the government opposes the law of God; in such a case, the believer must uncompromisingly obey God.