Christmas--the Crossroads of
Church and State

by David W. Hall

Christmas lies at the intersection of church and state. After all, Jesus was born enroute a journey to pay confiscatory taxes to an oppressive government. Christians have both a long history of conflict with cruel states and also a pattern of noble contributions to the political theater. Followers of Jesus do not bear an inherent disdain for government. Instead, they transform it, knowing that a higher Sovereign ordains to use various agencies. It is only when individuals or governments over-reach that conflict arises.

According to an ancient text, the Epistle to Diognetus, Christians "are differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs . . . they do not live in cities of their own or speak some strange dialect . . . They follow local customs, but at the same time, demonstrate the unusual form of their own citizenship. They live in their own native lands, but as resident aliens . . . .They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. . . . They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. . . . They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws."

The description continues: "They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. . . . They are treated outrageously, and behave respectfully to others. . . . They are attacked . . . yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."

Another early church leader, Justin Martyr (AD 150), wrote about Christians supporting the state with their transformational attitude: "And everywhere, we, more readily than all men, endeavor to pay those appointed the taxes, both ordinary and extraordinary, as we have been taught." However, to the emperor, Justin wrote this qualification: "To God alone we render worship, but in other things we will gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power you may be found to possess also sound judgment."

Tertullian (AD 200) offered prayer for the safety of civil leaders to God "whose favor beyond all other things, they must themselves desire. They know from whom they have obtained their power . . . they acknowledge that they have all their might from him against whom their might is nought. Let the emperor make war on heaven; let him lead heaven captive in his triumph; let him put guards on heaven; let him impose taxes on heaven! He cannot. . . . He gets his scepter where he first got his humanity; his power where he got the breath of life."

Tertullian went on to pray for the emperors, for security to the empire, for protection for the imperial house, for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, and prosperity in general or "whatever, as man or Caesar, and emperor would wish. . . [because the emperor] is called by our Lord to his office. . . on valid grounds I might say Caesar is more ours than yours because our God appointed him." With Tertullian, Christians have recognized that "within due limits, and under the Most High," civil powers are no threat to true faith.

Such sentiments are both challenging and insightful for our times. If Christians view the civil governor as his own person, truly operating outside the influence and sovereignty of God, then they have an extremely difficult time praying for him. However, if believers recall what the Scriptures teach--that God is at work, that he is planning out all things for his own glory, that he is raising up and tearing down nations and kings as the grass withers and is thrown into the air, and that there is a spiritual plane of reality more powerful than even temporal politics--then Christians can affirm with Tertullian that the civil rulers are more ours than others' because God is truly the one who raises them up for his own purposes.

On the sovereignty which belonged uniquely to God, Irenaeus explained that Christians honor the king, but not false gods; nor do they give their worship to any man or system, but God alone. If that conflicts with the state, it will have to be transformed or resisted. Christmas reminds us, however, that the intersection is unavoidable. Earthly citizenship is a duty and calling; but heavenly citizenship is more ultimate.

David Hall is a Senior Fellow and pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge, TN.

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Christmas--the Crossroads of Church and State

by David W. Hall

Christmas--the Crossroads of
Church and State