Our Bible Reading

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 22, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 33.

Our Bible Reading

Religious Liberty

1. What statement of Christ forms a good basis for all the true religious freedom?

All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matt. 7: 12.

2. How was the principle in the foregoing text recognized in the Constitution of the United States when this Government was formed?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.—Amendments to the Constitution, article 1.

NOTE.—No one would desire to have some one else force his peculiar religion upon him. Hence we could not do to others as we would that they should do to us, if we attempted to force our religion upon them. And in declaring for the separation of religion from the affairs of the State, the United States Government placed itself in harmony with the “Golden Rule.”

3. Has God “ordained” civil governments, and enjoined obedience to them?

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Rom. 13: 1-7.

4. Was an attempt made to entangle the Master over this question of the prerogatives of the civil power?

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that Thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man: for Thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? Matt. 22: 15.

NOTE.—The leading men of the Jewish nation in the time of Christ spent much of their time in trying to devise ways by which they could entrap the Master and thus get Him condemned either for heresy against the church or for sedition against the civil government. They exulted in the idea that they had devised the question in the foregoing scripture so cunningly that no matter how He would answer they would have Him in their trap. The Jews at that time held that Cæsar, or the civil power of Rome, was a usurper, and that it was an outrage for them to have to pay tribute. So if He should tell them it was lawful to pay tribute, they would bring Him before the bar of the church for heresy. On the other hand, if He should say that it was not lawful to pay tribute, they would have Him condemned for treason before the court of Cæsar. In either case they were sure they had Him in a corner, and could drive Him into their snare.

5. In replying to the Pharisees and the Herodians, how did Christ show that there was a legitimate and separate field for both the Church and the State?

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, Cæsar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar [the civil power] the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. Matt. 22: 18-21.

NOTE.—In answering His wily questioners the Saviour showed that there was a respect as well as duty that we owe to civil authorities. He also showed that there were obligations that we owe to God. Each has a distinct and separate sphere. They are not to be confused. We are to render our homage to God direct, and because of our love for Him, and not because the State demands it. If we submit to State control in matters of religion, we permit the State to intervene between us and God. The State, of right, has only to do with this world. Our worship of God has to do with the world to come, and that is clear beyond the dominion of the State. Thus from every standpoint it may be seen that the State is a temporary arrangement for this present transitory world of sin. It has no right to attempt to enter the field of a man’s religion, which has to do altogether with another world, that comes after and beyond this present one.