The recent Canadian Alliance leadership race has again brought out the cry of "Separation of Church and State." This cry has been a familiar one throughout the history of mankind and was also heard recently during the November 2000 Canadian federal election, when some politicians were maligned for daring to bring their personal religious beliefs out publicly (and even promoting them as being good for the future of Canada!). And as often as this cry has been raised, so often has it been misrepresented and misdirected.

Separate responsibilities⤒🔗

Separation of the responsibilities of Church and State is a well-known Biblical principle. Matthew relates the story of the Pharisees and Herodians coming to Jesus to try to trap Him, asking: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matt 22:17). In other words, "Does the Roman government have any authority over us? Is our citizenship not of a heavenly nature only?" By His wise answer Jesus pointed out that we have a dual citizenship; we are citizens of the country in which we live and we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Each of these citizenships brings with it certain obligations and responsibilities. Because of our citizenship on earth we owe allegiance to our earthly country and are required to pay taxes and obey those who God has placed in authority over us. Because of our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven we owe allegiance to God; we must obey His laws as given in His Holy Word.

Throughout history, this Biblical truth seems to have often been ignored. At times the state was seen as the ultimate authority and at other times the church was in total control. Constantine, the first Christian emperor, did not fully realize the differences between church and state and even became head of the church as well as head of state. As head of the Roman Church and as "Christ's representative on earth," many popes considered themselves to have authority not only over the church but over the state as well. Martin Luther and John Calvin correctly explained that the civil government has its own task and place and must carry these out according to the norms of God's Word. The Church governs itself and cannot make decisions for the state. The two stand side by side, each with its own responsibilities.

Two jobs, one boss←⤒🔗

Does this mean that church and state have nothing to do with each other? Does it mean that those who raise the cry of "Separation of Church and State" today are right after all? I am convinced that to­day's "criers" are confusing two different but related matters. Let me try to explain what I mean.

When Christ rose from the dead He was given "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). No one is exempt from being under the authority of Christ. Daniel 7 says of the Ancient of Days, "He was given authority, glory and sovereign power…" Therefore, we can conclude that Christ's lordship extends over the state, including the civil government. They are ordained by Him (Belgic Confession Art 36) and must rule according to His commands and decrees. There is also no doubt that Christ has authority over the Church of which He is the Head. "And He is the head of the body, the church…" (Colossians 1:18). Only Christ has authority to govern the Church and He does so by those ordained to special offices. Therefore, God rules over all the nations (Psalm 22:28) and over the Church. We should not falsely conclude that therefore the Church rules over the state or that the state rules over the Church. Each has its own tasks and responsibilities but each falls under the rule of Christ. Both Church and state are accountable to the King of kings.

Since both church and state can be seen as divine institutions that ultimately derive their authority from God, and neither is over or under the other, their relationship to each other should be seen as mutually beneficial. The civil government restrains the licentiousness of men, pun­ishes wrongdoers and protects those who do good, protecting the Church and its ministry. The Church holds governing authori­ties in honor and respect, prays for them that God may direct them in all their ways. Although the tasks are different, the basis should be the same.

Godly principles should rule over all←⤒🔗

People who complain that Christians are not keeping church and state separate are not able to differentiate between the concepts of church and personal faith.

Perhaps you can see how politicians who bring matters of faith into the public arena during an election campaign have sometimes been falsely accused of ignoring the principle of "separation of church and state." Those who do not or will not see that both church and state derive their authority from, and are accountable to God, see this as a way of keeping God out of the picture when dealing with civil matters. They are not willing to admit that by pro­moting their secular man-centered philosophies, they are fusing together their own views of state and church and in that way sending our country on a roller coaster ride to disaster.

By suggesting that they are neutral and not catering to any special religious group, today's government leaders are in fact doing exactly what they falsely accuse others of doing. When they refuse to take a Biblical stand on matters such as abortion, same-sex marriages, euthanasia, and em­bryonic stem cell research, they are in fact taking a stand for a secular religion, allowing the licentiousness of man to go unchecked. So they are hypocrites. Instead of simply allowing freedom of religion in the way that they rule, they are encouraging and even forcing on Canadians, a religion of secular humanism in which man is a god unto himself.

Let it be our prayer that Christian people will continue to use their faith to direct those in authority to establish policies and legislation that honors the King of kings. And even if our efforts to encourage our rulers do not seem to be appreciated, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).