CHURCH-STATE RELATIONSHIP

  The following is a summary of the biblical position on some of the most relevant issues in the Church / State relationship. One approach to this relationship leads us to consider politics from the Christian perspective. To do this it is necessary to clarify the term "policy" which, although complex in its implications, can be glimpsed in its most characteristic aspects.

This term refers to a reality in which all, consciously or not participate directly or indirectly. It is related to the search, exercise and distribution of power, understood as unifying factor of the community, necessary means for the realization of the Common Good. Policy designates the activity that concerns the administration and organization of the State as institutionalized public power.

  On the other hand, the Kingdom of God, whose human part is constituted by the Church, that is, the community of believers around the world, is singular and permanent, while the kingdoms of the world are temporal states.

  Those who are loyal to the Word of the Kingdom (Matt. 13:19) have celestial citizenship (Phil. 3: 20) but we also have citizenship in some of these kingdoms or temporal states of the world, citizenship that gives us duties to fulfill ("honor the king" 1-P.2.17-), so long as they do not go against the principles of the Kingdom of God. In the same way we also have rights to claim and exercise ("therefore for this you also pay the taxes" -Ro.13.6-).

  The non-implementation of our duties and rights places us in the condition, either of rebellious (1-S.15.23), or of prevaricators by omission (Mt.25.14-30). Those who receive the heavenly calling to partake of the divine nature (He.3.1, 2-P.1.4) are not to "serve two masters" (Lc.16.13), "for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, Only you shall serve "(Luke 4: 8); So that it is better for us to "serve under the new regime of the Spirit" (Ro.7.6) "with joy thanking the Father who made us fit to share in the inheritance of the saints in light; Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son "(Col. 12: 12-13).

  But for the Christian who, by ignorance or otherwise, is already immersed in a service that is not related to his status as "member of the Body of Christ" (Eph. 4: 14-16), the words of the Apostle Paul may be interesting when he says: "Every one in the state where he was called, let him abide therein. Were you called as a slave? Do not be careful; But also, if you can make yourself free, treat yourself more. For he who was called a slave in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord; Even he who was called being free, is a slave of Christ. You were bought for a price; Do not become slaves of men. "(1-Co.7.20-23).

  A different case is that of "carnal Christians" (1-Co.3.3), who with different self-justifications actually seek "their own, not that which is Christ Jesus" (Phil.2.21), "who only think of Earthly things "(Philippians 3: 18-20). They, too, like all of us, are free to choose whom to serve.

  Unbelievers and faithful Christians, we all "travel in the same boat", because as humanity we are part of this world that God so loves (Jn.3.16-17). The "world" that our Savior does not love is that state of affairs that is bound to a scale of values in which love, truth and justice are not primordial, and where those who participate in it oppose, openly or not To the lordship of a personal God with his plan of salvation.

  However, the Church-State relationship must be of mutual respect and collaboration without losing identity and autonomy because of concessions, alliances or any circumstance, especially if it is to the detriment of the divine government of the Church, which, at the head of Jesus Christ, King Savior, only has coverage in his holy nation, that is, the people set apart by God himself to announce and practice his will.