I keep hearing Christians, particularly from my generation, quoting the concept of separation of church and state as a reason for not being politically involved as a believer. The context usually goes something like this: “The separation of church and state says we shouldn’t bring religion and politics together,” or “religion and politics don’t mix, and that’s why the constitution separates church from state.” I just thought I might take a minute and make commentary on that notion.
The language in the US Constitution from the First Ammendment that separates church and state is as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Any reasonable person who knows a bit of history and can read the Constitutional clause can see that it was not the intent of the founding fathers to separate morality from decision making, but rather to prevent the establishment of a state religion for the purpose of tyranny as had been done in England.
In short, separation of church and state is necessary, but separation of God from government is foolish and impractical.
In many cases, the refusal of the church to participate in actively governing the the country results in a moral majority in favor of rebellion against the things of God. Hence, righteousness lays fallen in the street, not because God has judged America *yet, but because His people refuse to govern in accordance with the principles of righteousness.
”By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. (Proverbs 28:2)”
Transgressions, by their nature, are rebellions against the established laws of God. The scripture teaches us that our rebellions against the laws of creation result in “many princes,” also known as big government. Bloated, beaurocratic government is the result of iniquity in the land, which is empowered when believers fail in their obligation to rule in accordance with God’s law and the law of the land. Man’s solution for lack of morality is more government, more control, etc. Isn’t the gospel the real answer to this dilema? Don’t we have the authority (as citizens and believers) to establish the gospel in our government?
My personal opinion is that oil spills, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc are all related to the vacated position of rule left open by the people of God as “All creation groans,” but that is another topic for another day.
Very true and very good insight. “without God we’re a country gone under” Ronald Reagan. When Jefferson coined the term separation of church and state it was to assure ministers that they had no worry about the government getting into their business. My how things have changed. Now they want to get their nose in all our business and say it is unconstitutional for our lawyer to have any say. Our lawyer (advocate) is of course, Jesus Christ. It is unconscionable for us not to have Him involved.
Thanks Lloyd. You actually inspired this post with the one you did the other day that I reposted on Facebook, about how since we don’t have a king the Consitution is the authority that God has put into place that we must submit to. Great post.