Render Unto Caesar What Is Caesar's - Part VIII of Religion and Politics

In the famous response to a question about the lawfulness of paying taxes to the Roman government, Yeshua proclaimed, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.” While the context was designed to entrap Yeshua into either losing public support or causing a Roman government crackdown against him, still the statement implies that he saw a separation between state matters and religious ones. On the other hand, when reading his teachings captured in the Sermon on the Mount, there is a clear message about creating a society of goodness and justice, a so-called “city on a hill.”

The context of the Sermon on the Mount is an expansion on how the ancient prophets viewed an idyllic nation of Israel. In the prophet Isaiah’s view, all of the nations would stream to Israel, to be taught God’s ways, and as a result, peace and justice would encompass the earth. There is clearly a tension inherent in the Biblical perspective towards religion and politics. One’s religious beliefs naturally influence one’s values and resultant world view. Since politics is the process for how societies govern themselves and how decisions are reached, then religion, through religious people, will and should influence politics. As was discussed in an earlier article, religious people helped organize the Abolitionist movement, leading to the abolition of slavery. The Abolitionists saw slavery as a great evil. Similarly, many associated with the pro-life movement are religious people who see abortion as an evil, snuffing out the life of the unborn.

It should be expected and welcomed that religious people be involved in politics, whether running for office, working on political campaigns or raising organized voices over particular positions. But through it all, followers of Yeshua must understand they belong first to another kingdom, the kingdom of God. In this kingdom lives are ordered around serving God first and exemplifying His character to those around them. Nevertheless, the kingdoms interrelate. All the while serving the Lord and building His kingdom, His followers should call the larger society around them to the higher standards of God’s kingdom, to protect life, promote justice and pursue peace. As the prophet Micah said, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

I believe this is the model for the relationship between religion and politics. It is similar to the role the prophets assumed in ancient Israelite society. Essentially, they became the nation’s social conscience, speaking out against corruption, idolatry, exploitation of the poor, and calling the nation to fulfill its ideals and mission. Yet, most of the prophets were more outsiders than insiders. They largely were not part of political leadership, and the few that were showed their fidelity to God by speaking out against corruption and injustice to those in authority, exemplified by the prophet Nathan’s condemnation of King David’s behavior towards Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah the Hittite. Those prophets who encouraged political leaders’ wayward ways were deemed false prophets.

More recent religion-inspired political action, however, has deviated from this path. A whole branch of Christianity now is associated with a political party. The kingdom of God seemingly has merged with an American kingdom. This is a big problem.

Next time: The Problem with Partisan Politics