Church and The State (1)
A Sermon on Romans 13:1-7
Originally preached Jan. 13, 1967
Scripture
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are …
Sermon Description
In this first part of his series on the church and the state, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones lays a historical foundation for understanding the development of the relationship between the two. In this sermon from Romans 13:1–7 titled “Church and the State (1),” he affirms the importance of Christians thinking carefully about their responsibility and attitude towards government and authority. Scripture teaches that the church and government structures are both ordained by God and therefore Christians must maintain a God-honoring posture towards both. Critical to this is having an understanding of how church and state relations developed. In the first three centuries of the early church, believers were living in a pagan world controlled by the Roman Empire. No one was under the illusion that the church and state were one entity. They were at odds towards one another. This changed, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches, when Constantine came to power and instituted Christianity as the official religion of the state. What followed was a power struggle between church and state. Listen to this compelling sermon by Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he equips his listeners to understand the historical struggle for authority and power that shapes a current understanding of the relationship of Christianity and government.
Sermon Breakdown
- The relationship between the church and the state is an important topic that Christians must consider.
- There are two main views on the relationship between the church and the state:
- The church and state are one:
- The Roman Catholic view is that the church controls the state. The pope claims supremacy over political leaders.
- The Erastian view is that the state controls the church. The church is subject to the state. This view is held by the Church of England.
- The church and state are separate. We will explore this view next time.
- The church and state are one:
- The view that the church and state are one originated in the 4th century AD after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church dominated political leaders in Europe for centuries.
- The Erastian view developed in opposition to the Roman Catholic view. It holds that the church is subject to the state. Thomas Erastus promoted this view, arguing that the church has no power to make laws or inflict punishment.
- Martin Luther originally believed in the independence of the church but later supported the state controlling the church due to political pressures and unrest. The Lutheran church became closely tied to the state.
- King Henry VIII made himself the supreme head of the Church of England, replacing the pope. His successors maintained control over the church.
- Queen Elizabeth I actively interfered in church affairs. The 39 Articles of Religion established the Church of England as subject to the monarch.
- Richard Hooker taught that the church and state are the same society viewed from different angles. The state has the right to legislate for the church. But the state cannot define doctrine or consecrate bishops.
- The state's control over the church was challenged under Oliver Cromwell but restored under King Charles II. Nonconformists were later granted freedom of worship.
- We must learn from history and understand God's word to avoid repeating the errors of the past. We pray for God's guidance on these issues.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Church and State Relationship: Questions and Answers
What is the main topic Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is addressing the relationship between the church and the state, specifically examining how these two institutions interact with each other, their proper boundaries, and the different historical views on this relationship. As he states: "We come this evening to another one, and this again is a very modern one, a very relevant one, I think, at the present time. And that is the whole vexed question of the relationship between the church and the state."
What event in history does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the turning point in church-state relations?
The sermon identifies the conversion of Emperor Constantine the Great around 325 AD as the pivotal moment that changed church-state relations. Lloyd-Jones explains: "But that event took place which has changed the entire course of history, namely the so called conversion of the emperor Constantine the Great, who announced that he had become a Christian somewhere around about 325 AD... he made the christian faith the official religion of the Roman Empire. In other words, he took the Roman Empire with him into the Christian Church."
What are the two main views on church-state relationship that Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains there are two main views: "The first view is the one that holds that the church and the state are one. The second is that which holds that the church and the state are essentially different." Within the first view (that church and state are one), he further identifies two variations: the Roman Catholic view where "the state is subservient to the church" and the Erastian view where "the church is subservient to the state."
What is Erastianism and who was its founder?
Erastianism is the view that the church is subservient to the state. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "It's given that name because the men who first stated it clearly, though others had held the view, was a man of the name of Erastus." Erastus (1524-1583) was a professor of medicine and follower of the Swiss reformer Zwingli who "denies that the church has any power to make laws or decrees or to inflict pains and penalties of any kind" and taught that "the general government of the visible church is part of the one function of dominion entrusted to the state."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Church of England's position on church-state relations?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Church of England as largely Erastian in nature, citing the 37th of the 39 Articles which states: "The Queen's majesty has the chief power in this realm of England and her other dominions, unto whom the chief government of all estates of this realm, whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in all causes, doth ascertain." He notes that Richard Hooker, in his 1594 publication "Ecclesiastical Polity," taught that "the church and the state are one and the same society, only contemplated from two different aspects."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider this topic so important for his audience?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the contemporary relevance of this topic for several reasons: 1) The historical significance where "our forefathers, many of them, have not only fought with regard to this matter, but some have even died on this very question"; 2) The ecumenical movement which was "moving so rapidly" at that time; 3) The need for Christians to "take an intelligent interest in these matters" and "register votes when the time comes for decisions in an intelligent manner"; and 4) Because Romans 13:1-7 is "invariably quoted" when this question is raised.
How did Martin Luther's view on church-state relations change over time?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Luther initially held a view supporting "the complete independence of the church" and viewed the church as "just the gathering of the saints together." However, the Peasants' Revolt and the activities of the Anabaptists "frightened Martin Luther," making him concerned the entire Reformation would be lost without proper authority. Lloyd-Jones explains: "He came to the conclusion that the only way to get authority was to turn to the civil ruler. And so he did. And to that extent, he became an erastian, giving the power to the princes, the electors, the rulers, the heads of the state over the life of the church."
What did Richard Hooker teach about church-state relations?
Richard Hooker, whom Lloyd-Jones identifies as "the most important men in these matters," taught that "the church and the state are one and the same society, only contemplated from two different aspects, and that the state, therefore, has a perfect right to legislate for the church." However, Lloyd-Jones notes that Hooker made important qualifications: 1) This only applied when the head of state was a "godly prince"; 2) The sovereign couldn't decide matters of doctrine; and 3) The state could appoint but not consecrate bishops.
How did religious tolerance develop in England according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones traces the development of religious tolerance in England through several stages: 1) The establishment of the Church of England claiming "the right to dictate to people as to how they should worship"; 2) The period under Oliver Cromwell who "did more for religious tolerance and liberty in this country than anybody else"; 3) The oppression that returned under Charles II with "the act of uniformity and the turning out of those 2000 men in 1662"; 4) The Act of Toleration in 1688 under William and Mary which "granted full liberty of worship to all nonconformists except Roman Catholics and Unitarians"; 5) Later extensions of liberty to Roman Catholics (full emancipation in 1828) and Unitarians (1813).
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say church and state must have some relationship?
Lloyd-Jones provides several reasons why church and state must have some relationship: 1) Both are ordained by God; 2) Christians belong to both institutions simultaneously; 3) Church and state sometimes deal with the same questions; and 4) Jesus Christ is both "the head of the church" and "the head of all things in the whole universe." As he summarizes: "Those are the reasons for saying that there is obviously, therefore, some relationship between the church and the state."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.