Should the church and State be separate?
Introduction. One of the heated issues of our day is the separation of church and State. There are obviously extremes relative to this topic.
The Law of Moses was a theocracy. It is evident to the casual reader of the Hebrew scriptures that "church and State" were combined in the Ten Commandment Law that God gave to Israel (Deut. 5: 1-3, Ex. 20 ff.). One clear indication of the theocratic nature of the Jewish system is the fact of the legal punishment of the violator of the civil code (Ex. 21: 20, 21-36). In fact, under this system, the death penalty was to be carried out (Ex. 21: 12-17).
The law of Christ system. It was prophesied that there would be a covenant or system that would supersede the first covenant, the "Law of Moses" (Jere. 31: 31-34, cp. Heb. 8: 6-13). Jesus' law is the "perfect law of liberty" (Jas. 1: 25). While Jesus' last will and testament (the New Testament) contains many laws and regulations, they are not structured for national observance and it does not contain provision for the corporal punishment of the offender. Civil law as set forth in the New Testament is seen as separate and independent of the church (Rom. 13: 1-7). The New Testament, stated a little differently, is written from the standpoint of a distinct and removed civil structure that regulates taxation and the "punishment of the evil doers" (Rom. 13: 1-7).
Conclusion. After conceding the separation of church and State, allow me to submit the following: America was founded on biblical principles. While seeking religious freedom from State religion, the founding fathers absolutely recognized the relevance of God's spiritual laws and influence in civil government. Not a few civil codes are taken directly from the Bible and are germane to civil culture. Notwithstanding, church and State should be separately established, maintained, and implemented.
The Law of Moses was a theocracy. It is evident to the casual reader of the Hebrew scriptures that "church and State" were combined in the Ten Commandment Law that God gave to Israel (Deut. 5: 1-3, Ex. 20 ff.). One clear indication of the theocratic nature of the Jewish system is the fact of the legal punishment of the violator of the civil code (Ex. 21: 20, 21-36). In fact, under this system, the death penalty was to be carried out (Ex. 21: 12-17).
The law of Christ system. It was prophesied that there would be a covenant or system that would supersede the first covenant, the "Law of Moses" (Jere. 31: 31-34, cp. Heb. 8: 6-13). Jesus' law is the "perfect law of liberty" (Jas. 1: 25). While Jesus' last will and testament (the New Testament) contains many laws and regulations, they are not structured for national observance and it does not contain provision for the corporal punishment of the offender. Civil law as set forth in the New Testament is seen as separate and independent of the church (Rom. 13: 1-7). The New Testament, stated a little differently, is written from the standpoint of a distinct and removed civil structure that regulates taxation and the "punishment of the evil doers" (Rom. 13: 1-7).
Conclusion. After conceding the separation of church and State, allow me to submit the following: America was founded on biblical principles. While seeking religious freedom from State religion, the founding fathers absolutely recognized the relevance of God's spiritual laws and influence in civil government. Not a few civil codes are taken directly from the Bible and are germane to civil culture. Notwithstanding, church and State should be separately established, maintained, and implemented.