Why It Matters
(Why is this relevant to us?)
What should the Christian’s relationship be with the state? Should we remove ourselves from the political sphere completely and focus exclusively on spiritual concerns? Or must Christians obligate themselves to political activism—even to the point of rebelling against political corruption? Or is some sort of mediating position the answer?
How we answer this question is currently shaping our churches. In the twentieth century, churches divided into liberal or fundamentalist camps over theological questions such as the divinity of Jesus, original sin or the atonement. Today, evidence suggests that evangelical churches are far more likely to divide themselves based upon where they land on the political spectrum. In fact, Christian political activists often order their followers to leave and join churches with specific political posture—whether left, left-center, center, right-center or far right.
Remarkably, the environment in Jesus’ day was even more explosive. As a small and oppressed minority, the Jews resented living under the thumb of the Roman regime. They fought and divided over what to do with unjust taxation and oppression of the Roman state. Some used violence to oppose Rome (zealots). Others allied themselves to Rome (Sadducees, i.e. chief priests and scribes). Still others found mediating positions through peaceful or patient resistance (Pharisees), while a smaller minority fled and preferred to live as nomads in the desert (Essenes).
At a surface level, Jesus behaved more like a Pharisee or Essene. Yet, instead of fitting in any box, Jesus asked every position to reflect anew on the sovereignty of God. In verse 25, by stating that one must “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” He forced deep reflection on God’s sovereignty. Whatever honor Caesar deserves must be given, because of God’s providential distribution of power. Similarly, whatever it is that the sovereign Lord requires, we must also give.
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