Relation of Church and State

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

Relation of Church and State

IN the Western Recorder of June 9, W. R. Williams speaks of the distinct offices of the church and the state. While not clearly defining the relationship, he concludes with these just observations:—

Should there be a collision at any time between the laws of God and those of the state, she [the church] holds, indeed, the law of God paramount to all and every contravening authority. It would undefy God to claim less than absolute supremacy for his law. She honors the earthly law which thus collides disastrously with the divine law, by bearing meekly the penalty of that mistaken law, and seeking, constitutionally, the amendment and repeal of that law. But she may not at man's bidding disobey a plain enactment of heaven, more than she could, on the plain of Dura, bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, or in Daniel's chamber restrain all prayer because the decree of Darius inhibited it. With the apostle she must ever hold that we are bound to obey God rather than man.

Every Christian will obey the laws of the state wherein they do not countervail the laws of his heavenly Master; and he will obey the civil laws, not as the would-be evil-doer,—through fear of the penalty,—but, as the apostle Paul says, he will be subject for conscience' sake. A true disciple of the Lord will be the truest citizen in all that makes for the proper observance of his relationship to his fellows. It is a disgrace for a Christian to violate the laws of the government under which he lives, unless compelled to do this by the higher obligation of his duty to Heaven.