Church and State

Scripture: 

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Observation:
Wait. What?  
Did my bible just tell me to pray for kings and prime ministers? What about the separation of church and state?

(Aside: Although it is commonly understood as endorsing stick secularism, the vision of Thomas Jeferson and other framers of the U.S. constitution and its Bill of Rights made no such claim. In a letter written to the Danbury Baptist Association (1802) Jefferson wrote: "...make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. ..." Thus, the originators of the phrase, "separation of church and state" intended not to create a strictly secular society, but to create a society where no one church (and, by extension, religion) enjoyed a privileged or "established" status within the political realm. The upshot was, that the government would not be free to dictate forms of worship or tenets of belief upon those governed.)

It is important to remember that 1 Timothy was written in an era before Christianity became the "established" religion of the Roman Empire. The church in the early first century enjoyed little official status. In fact, even the fierce persecutions came later. The truth is the first followers of Jesus represented an insignificant minority group in the greater scope of society. They were so marginal they barely warranted attention from kings or rulers - let alone praise or persecutions.

As such, this passage is not asking us to make kings or rulers through our "established" power to legitimize. It is not a call to place flags in our places of worship or sing the national anthem in church while campaigning for the Lord's Prayer to be taught in public schools. This passage reflects first God's providential love for the people of God - all the people of God. It is less about the power of the king, or the will of the people; and, more about the powerful will of God that "everyone be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Application:

Being in the midst of a federal election here in Canada, what is the Lord saying to me today through this passage?

I hear God affirming that good government is important - vital even - to God's purpose for the world.

I hear God challenging me to let go of the cynicism and 

partisan encampment that has become so prevalent today. I 

hear God calling us to participate in the process as agents of 

peaceful and fulsome discourse in pursuit of truth as 

opposed to mere facts or Colberian "truthiness".

I hear God making specific provision for the protection and nurture - as God is wont to do - of the least and marginalized: entrusting their care in part to those who hold power and privilege through their positions.

I hear God charging the church to care for, respect, support, and hold accountable those who occupy positions of governance for as long as they occupy those seats - whether or not they come from the same religious, political, racial, or socio-economic tribe.

I hear God showing me that prayer is as good a place as any 

to begin to respond to this call.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, 
In You alone do I put my trust. You are faithful, just and true. Yet, it is your will to work through human agents to accomplish much of your will as you expand the borders of your Kingdom here. I give you thanks that I live in a place that is basically peaceful and just. I pray for those who are charged to uphold the peace so that all might be free to search for your Truth. Today I pray especially for our civic, provincial, federal and ecclesial leaders, that they would exercise their duties with vision, humility, grace and vigour. I pray for Mayor Camille Berube, Mayor Don Iveson, Premier Rachel Notley, MLA Shaye Anderson, MP Mike Lake, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Tom Mulcair, Justin Trudeau, and Elizabeth May.

To You: King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.