Christianity and politics make strange bedfellows

You've probably heard it before - Religion and politics make strange bedfellows. Today though, we're going to narrow it down to Christianity, rather than religion as a whole. So we end up with Christianity and politics make strange bedfellows. And when we narrow it down like that, the combination of Christianity and politics is even more strange than religion and politics! Why? Because some religions do intentionally have the government, politics and governmental laws, integrated with their theology and religious laws.

I'll say right up front, that is not the case with Christianity. It may be hard to believe these days, based on what we see happening around us, but it's undeniably true. I'll even go so far as to say I see why it happens. However, I still don't believe it should. We'll see why as we go along.

I will say one thing though. The central question is one of choice. Keep that in mind as we proceed.

The choices between Christianity and politics

The first time I wrote this, I did not include one passage that's probably the most expected one to see here. This time, it's front and center. Why? Because I decided to focus on choice. The choices every Christian must make as we navigate the various positions held by Christianity and politics. Make no mistake about it. They are in conflict. And we must choose one of the other. All I can say for now, choose carefully!

With those thoughts in mind, let's look at the obvious passage for this topic.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

22:15-22 pp — Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26

Of course, it's the one about paying taxes. No one likes to pay taxes. And it out religion can be a convenient way to avoid them, why not try to take advantage of it? Well, remember what I said about choices? Check out these choices.

Mt 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

Mt 22:18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

Mt 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Mt 22:22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

It was a trap!

Mixing Christianity and politics leads to lots of traps

And do you know what? It's frequently, if not always, that choices between Christianity and politics involve traps. As Mark Twain notes, reading newspapers has issues, whether we read them or not. Same with Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform.

Even with reading the Bible, there are possible issues. As Christians, we're supposed to look to the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christi as Paul puts it.

Of course, there are also various commentaries. But then we have to pay attention to who wrote them in order to know their background, denomination (if any), and be able to pick out their biases.

Unfortunately, too many Christians and non-Christians alike, also look to political leaders to see what they have to say about Christianity and the political viewpoint from their party.

Again, make no mistake, people are going to try, and they do succeed, in bending our view of Christianity to fit their political will. Choices. Choose wisely. Let's see what Jesus does when the Pharisees try to trick Him into an answer that will start an uprising between the Jews and the Roman government that's over them.

16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Mt 22:18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,

The trap is set. People watch with bated breath to see how Jesus will answer.

Jesus knew things because He's God. We aren't.

But, Jesus has an advantage we don't have. Jesus, being one with God, knows exactly why this question is being asked. Jesus knows the implications of answering, no matter what His answer is. Let's turn to one of those aforementioned commentaries for a starting point on this issue.

The Tribute Question (22:15–22)