Our formation in Europe came out of resistance to the state church that ruled all citizens. In the U.S., we need to resist war, civil religion, and Christian nationalism.
I always appreciate hearing from you. You help me engage in my own faith and thinking because you show me your thinking and believing out loud, so to speak.
It is a difficult question, the place of the state in the church, because it seems to me / I believe that a government that strives to ensure equal access and fair rights is the best thing for the church, but when that government then demands that I do things their way, I must resist when I sense that the way of Jesus is different. I pay taxes because it is right to do so to support the government that protects all people, yes. When that government then persecutes some to the pleasure of others (witness the attacks on Haitians, many of whom are Christian believers, by people who hold government positions of power), I must resist and demand better. You have my taxes. You will not have my liberty to do better by people.
I chew on these thoughts, and I appreciate that you also do some of the heavy lifting here to discern the better way forward.
I always appreciate hearing from you. You help me engage in my own faith and thinking because you show me your thinking and believing out loud, so to speak.
It is a difficult question, the place of the state in the church, because it seems to me / I believe that a government that strives to ensure equal access and fair rights is the best thing for the church, but when that government then demands that I do things their way, I must resist when I sense that the way of Jesus is different. I pay taxes because it is right to do so to support the government that protects all people, yes. When that government then persecutes some to the pleasure of others (witness the attacks on Haitians, many of whom are Christian believers, by people who hold government positions of power), I must resist and demand better. You have my taxes. You will not have my liberty to do better by people.
I chew on these thoughts, and I appreciate that you also do some of the heavy lifting here to discern the better way forward.
You are a gift to the rest of us, friend.