Personally, I've been thinking about how far should the church get involved in matters of the state. And, after reading Philips Yancey's musings on the dangers of involvement in the state by the church - and how the progress of the gospel was set back - I've been thinking about this question:
Just what exactly is the function of the Church in today's world then? And is the separation of church and state a good idea or not?
I've been reading the book of Acts, and something I learnt was that the state is separate from the church, and that seems to be the way God designed it. But the church, while separate, can both serve and be served by the state.
Like how Paul spoke to the Roman proconsul, to kings and governors in Judea, and to scholars and councils in Greece. And how the church in Antioch rallied to provide food for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem when the Roman state couldn't provide for Jerusalem during a famine.
And how the Roman state gave legal rights to Paul, a Roman citizen, from unreasonable and unjust persecution (e.g. the proconsul Gallio's declaration of state neutrality in religious affairs, the Roman soldiers rescuing Paul when he was beaten up by a mob).
Thus, think the best analogy, by far, is that the Church is called to serve as the 'nerve' and conscience for the world.
Like how Martin King Luther rallied the churches, and even non-Christians, in the USA to speak out against racial segegration and injustice.
Like how Mother Teresa did for the poor in Calcutta what the government failed to do - care for the dying and give them love.
And the list goes on. When the state does not do its God-assigned duties of ensuring justice and fairness for its citizens, the church should speak up against such injustices. But the church is also called to submit to the state when the state is doing what is right in God's eyes. Because the state is also appointed by God Himself, as the book of Romans in the Bible says so.
But how can we speak up, unless we are aware of what is going on in the world?
To conclude, I'll quote this bro: "Ultimately, our purpose is that the world may be ‘awaken’ to God and be reconciled to Him."
From Andrew's blog:
Some time recently, I had a casual exchange with a friend over some Singapore’s socio-political issues.
Despite not coming to any common conclusion, but maybe one that was respectful of each other’s views. At least, the exchange helped to refine my motives and my reasoning towards such matters.
In general, I believe the majority of us take a passive or apathetic approach in regards to this. And not only do I think this is unhealthy for the future of our nation (from a human’s standpoint), but it is also not a correct approach to adopt from a biblical perspective.
Why?
For the reason that we (Christians), the Church, should not be confined by our four walls as we are in the world to serve as a ‘nerve’ to our society. Which means apart from Sundays, Mondays to Saturdays we are part of this world at our workplace, neighbourhood and family to be the “salt and light”.
And being a part in the world, the Church (not referring to the physical form/building) MUST BE in tune with the going-ons (which includes the likes of politics, socio-economic and international affairs which governs and influences our livelihood), the struggles, the needs and aspirations of the people around us, in order to love, reach and serve effectively for Jesus.
As the ‘nerve’, we serve by being the “voice of conscience”; to prick the conscience of our society by providing godly wisdom in a relevant manner that distinguishes the truth from the lies, and righteousness from evil.
Ultimately, our purpose is that the world may be ‘awaken’ to God and be reconciled to Him.
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