For several years I’ve heard many of those who profess to be
Christian talk hopefully about our Nation becoming Christian.
I have not changed my mind about the answer to this question: It is
impossible to have a truly Christian government before Christ’s return.
Why? All one has to do is read the Bible – or just look at history – to
find the answer.
Government is about power. In order for “Christians” to become the
government they must play political games that polarize people. And the
saying still holds true: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts
absolutely. It doesn’t matter if those in power are “Christian” or not,
the results are the same.
In Matthew 22:21 Jesus’ opponents, hoping to trap Him, ask Him if it
was lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar or not. Jesus answers them:
"Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the
things that are God's." Of course, the enemies of Jesus wanted Him to
say something that they could use against Him, so that they could charge
Him with treason, for example. I think Jesus’ answer can also have this
application: that government and Christianity don’t mix. The combination
of religion and government is potentially problematic.
In John 14:30, when Jesus refers to “the ruler of the world,” He is
referring to Satan:
30 "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world
is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
~ New American Standard Bible
In Ephesians 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul writes of “the course of this
world” and “the prince of the power of the air” – again referring to
Satan.
2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit
that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
~ New American Standard Bible
It is my understanding that this state of affairs – Satan’s hold on
the world – resulted from the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden
of Eden. That is why we are told by Jesus to be in the
world but not of the world.
However, later, God did set up a theocracy (a government by God) with
ancient Israel. Then, as we see in 1 Samuel 8 of the Hebrew (Old)
Testament, the Israelites demanded a human king and an end to the
theocracy. God tells Samuel, a judge of Israel, in 1 Samuel 8:7 –
7 …“Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all they say to
you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from
being king over them.
~ New American Standard Bible
God tells Samuel to warn the Israelites about the way a human king
will exploit them, but they demand to be ruled by a human king “like all
the nations.” (1 Samuel 8:9-18) And we are all still suffering the
consequences.
The Book of Revelation tells us that Jesus Himself will establish a
true government under God – and He will rule with truth and justice.
Until that long-awaited event comes to pass, the separation of Church
and State is the only way to go.
