Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON ONE

A LUTHERAN VIEW OF CHURCH AND STATE

I. Introduction

A. Course based upon Render unto Caesar...and unto God - A Lutheran View of Church and State, (A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of LCMS, September, 1995, (St. Louis, MO., 1995).

B. Document was in response to 1983 request of Synod.

II. Why study this?

A. It can help us to understand better the history of church and government and our own place, as American Lutheran Christians, in that history.

B. It can help us to identify strengths and weaknesses in the ways that previous generations of God’s people have dealt with the problem of church and state.

C. It can help us to appreciate how the proper distinction between Law and Gospel, as well as the distinction between the two kingdoms, prevents us from confusing the duties of citizenship with the righteousness of faith.

D. It can also help us to participate in the important duties of citizenship with greater freedom and confidence.

III. Three major sections of Course

A. Brief survey of history of church and state.

B. Intrepret the history of church and state according to Lutheran Confessions and Synod’s doctrinal commitments.

C. Contemporary practical applications of confessional Lutheran perspective.

IV. State vs. Empire or Kingdom

A. Problem of church and state are relatively recent.

B. Most of recorded history, they were problems of church and empire or kingdom.

C. Modern states: power is quite abstract and bureaucratic.

D. Ancient empires: governments were personal and authoritarian.

E. Emperors, kings and queens:

1. direct personal control of government.

2. absolute authority in many societies.

3. often were considered gods.

V. Distinction between divine and human authority

A. Is 46:8-10.

B. 1Co 8:5,6.

C. Above empires and states stands one everlasting divine authority to whom all are accountable.

D. Church continues to proclaim God’s divine authority.

VI. Conflict between divine and human authorities

A. Ex 5:2.

B. 2Ch 32:17.

C. 1Sa 28:16-19.

D. 1Ki 11:9-11.

E. Northern and southern kingdoms of Israel.

1. 2Ki 17:7-23.

2. 2Ch 36:15-21

3. Lam 4:11-13

VII. Earthly rulers

A. Abuse of royal power:

1. 1Sa 8:10-18.

B. Contrast:

1. Ps 45 and Jer 22:13-17.

2. Ps 2 and Jer 23:1,2.

C. Contrast fed the yearning for the Messiah.

1. Is 9:6,7.

2. Israel: post-Babylon captivity through Macabees into 1st Century AD

3. Jn 11:47,48.

4. Mk 15:26 and Lk 23:13,14.

VIII. Rule of Christ Jesus: Spiritual, not Temporal

A. Jn 18:33-37.

B. Col 1:13,14.

C. Mt 28:18-20.

D. Open to Jew and Gentile alike through faith.

E. Col 2:15-17.

F. Ex 19:5,6 and 1Pe 2:9.

G. Mt 16:18.

IX. Christian’s attitude concerning State

A. Mt 22:15-22.

B. Ro 13:1-7.

C. Ac 4:18-20.

D. Ac 5:27-29.

E. Therefore:

1. Even pagan states deserve respect for God-given role in preserving and enhancing human life.

2. Church is a kingdom and its king exercises real power.

3. Christian’s relationship to civil governments has fundamental ambivalence.

a. even pagan government is God’s servant - respected.

b. there are always clear limits to obedience.

X. Paradox

A. Attitude toward all civil government should be positive.

B. Spiritual authority must be distinguished clearly from temporal authority.

C. However, both are under sovereignty of God.

D. Carefully balanced tension has been difficult for the church to preserve.