What is a Christian’s responsibility to the state?

One of the greatest differences between the two major American parties, as I see it, is their understanding of the role and powers of the state. One party has a broad, liberal view of the powers of the state, and the other party views the state with lesser, more conservative powers.

What then is the state? It is “a body politic… a whole body of people united under one government, whatever may be the form of the government.”[1] Webster also defined the role of the state in his 1828 definition of politics. He said it is “…[for the] protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals.”[1] Politics as a part of ethics! Who knew?

In addition, Jesus indicates that the state’s power comes ultimately from God and that there is a limit to the state’s authority. During the famous confrontation between the divine and the secular representatives, Pilate said, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. (Jn 19:10-11)

What is a Christian’s responsibility to the state? The implication to this question is that Christians should be the best of citizens as a witness to the peace and charity God has showered on us through His Son, Jesus. We ought to obey all the laws and be truthful on our tax returns.

Is it, then, ever permissible to violate established law to advance a theological or ethical point of view? Yes. John Davis states, “The Scriptures clearly recognize that not all human laws are just. Psalm 94 speaks of "wicked rulers ... who frame mischief by statute" and who "condemn the innocent to death".”[2]

The Declaration of Independence is a document that was written based on the biblical worldview and speaks of self-evident truths and the unalienable rights of “one people” endowed by their creator. It further states: “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…” but “…whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it…”[3] The government of the United States is one of the people and, therefore it is incumbent upon the citizenry to ensure the powers of the state do not usurp the liberties and right to life of the people.

In his book, Evangelical Ethics, Davis reminds us that Operation Rescue blockaded abortion clinics since 1988 around the country. They argue that Christians are morally justified in breaking trespass laws in order to save the lives of unborn children.[4] And they have the right to practice civil disobedience under the principles of founding principles of this country and of the Bible. But, those practices themselves must be governed by the rules of ethics, which we have discussed.

AL

1 Noah Webster. American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 (San Francisco: Foundation of American Christian Education, 1967)
2 John Jefferson Davis. Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today. 3rd Ed. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2004), 224.
3 The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America (1776)
4 John Jefferson Davis, 221.