“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…” – Titus 3:1
Throughout church history, there has generally been a handful of ways that various Christian traditions engage with the state and politics:
- Catholic: The two kingdoms do exist, and the Church is greater while the state is lesser.
- Anabaptist: The two kingdoms do exist; however, the state is evil and part of the world system run by Satan, so Christians in the church should separate from the worldly state by not voting, running for office, or serving in the military.
- Calvinist: The two kingdoms should function more like one kingdom. God gives authority to both the Church and state, and Christians are citizens of both the Church and state. The ultimate goal of the state is to help the Church Christianize the world. This explains why Calvin held both political and religious roles. Calvin also had a heretic named Servetus executed via capital punishment by the state, which has been a point of great controversy ever since.
- Lutheran: The two kingdoms do exist, and the Christian is a citizen of both the Church and state. The state exists mainly to restrain evil and should not be used to advance the Church, but the Church should rather use the state to protect the freedom to advance the Kingdom through the preaching of the gospel.
- Evangelical: The two kingdoms do exist, and the Church functions somewhere between Calvinist and Lutheran. The Church should advance the Kingdom, the state should protect the Church, and the Church should seek to influence the state to enact godly laws.
No matter which of these five views Christians hold, the Bible makes it clear that before we judge our government, we should first judge our own hearts to ensure we are right with God before trying to change the government.
- Proverbs 24:21: My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise…
- Ecclesiastes 10:20: Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
- 1 Timothy 2:1–2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
- Titus 3:1: Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…
Which of the five Christian citizens do you align with the most? Take some time to pray and ask God to search your own heart to make sure it is right with God.
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