The New Testament is full of political language: Jesus is Lord, the Ecclesia of Christ, the Peace of Christ be with you. etc. The way of Empire is replaced by the way of Christ, The power of Empire is replaced by the power of Christ, The Peace of the Empire is replaced by the Peace of Christ. The message is that the Empire cannot save you, and cannot set the world to rights.
For three hundred years or so the church seems to have existed as a counter-cultural organisation, and that meant counter-Empire. In 313 Constantine announced official toleration of Christianity, and by the 380s Theodosius had made Christianity the official religion of Rome. This is the beginning of Christendom, where Church and state began to act together.
Did the Church , in effect, sell out to the Empire? Did it compromise its integrity?
In the world today we seem to be witnessing the very death-throes of Christendom, yet in the USA and Northern Ireland particularly the Church still plays a huge and controversial role in government and politics. If you have read Shane Claiborne’s “The Irresistible Revolution” or “Jesus for President” or Jim Wallis’ “God’s Politics”, indeed, if you have any interest in either the Church or Politics then you will know that this relationship is fraught with difficulties.
I have heard Christians involved in politics state that they should use their power to legislate in line with God’s principles. However, why does this always seem to mean legislating against Civil Partnership rather than legislating in favour of the poor and homeless? What about Iris Robinson’s comments? Can someone in Political authority make a charged statement and then claim that they are speaking on behalf of Christianity, or even speaking on behalf of God? Can the same political leader then attempt to side-step responsibility for their views saying “This is not my view, it is God’s”? More critically, do the government have “the responsibility to uphold God’s Law”?
My question is this:
What is the appropriate model for Church-State interaction, and how should Christians in Politics behave?
Looking forward to your comments.
