What is the Biblical Attitude Toward the State?

10-11-2020Weekly Reflection

In the 1st reading, God anointed Cyrus and shows favor on his rule of the kingdom. Although Cyrus did not know God, his reign is legitimate. But still, the service of God takes precedence over human authorities or institutions. By this time in the Gospel, Jesus' fame and presence are well known not only in Galilee but also in Judea. Jewish leaders are more and more insecure about Jesus' popularity. As so often, they want to entrap Him in words and deeds. Their new modus was to start with overloaded insincere praise to make Him speak out openly. Then with malice in their heart, ask a seemingly innocent but twoedged sword question: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not? Census taxes were very minimal, but paying this is regarded as an acknowledgment of Roman dominion over the people of God and thus becomes a religious question. A silver Roman coin is equivalent to one (1) denarius, a day’s wage.

Biblical Attitude Toward the State

1. The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday gives us an idea about the Biblical attitude toward the state. The prophet Isaiah says God anointed Cyrus. For this reason, whatever Cyrus does, he is most likely to succeed. Because God favors him. God appoints Cyrus for a definite purpose, to bring Israel back to the land of promise, to restore Israel. Cyrus shall say of Israel: Let Israel be rebuilt.

King Nebuchadnezzar was called “the servant of God” in (Jer. 27:6, 43:10). He was the hammer of God to punish different nations, including Israel. Cyrus was “the anointed of God” for a specific purpose. But take note that Isaiah never called him a servant of God. While Jeremiah was clear about Babylon, that it was only a hammer in the hands of God. Forgetting where its power came from will also earn them a punishment from God.

Many superpower nations in history have forgotten that they are also instruments in the hand of God. Because in truth, God is the only ruler of history. God has longer breath and can wait longer than we can.

2. Every authority comes from God. When Jesus was before Pilate, He reminded him where His power comes from: You would have no power over me what so ever unless it were given to you from above (Jn. 19:11). Nobody can take to himself the authority unless it was given to him from God.

If the state has a genuine concern for the wellbeing of its citizens, then all should obey and should have nothing to fear. Because only evil deeds are subject to punishments.

The Apostle Paul had a positive outlook on the Roman empire because he benefitted from it. The rapid spread of Christianity would not have been possible if not for the organized Roman Empire. For example, many journeys of Paul were made easy because of the Roman highway, Via Appia and Via Egnatia. His letters moved around faster because of the efficient postal service in the Roman Empire. And there was peace and order, although it was not a perfect peace. His Roman citizenship played to his advantage in bringing the Good News to many Roman cities, especially to Rome.

3. Religion and politics are two different domains. Jesus' statement: give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God astonished and shocked the Jewish leaders. They thought they had Jesus against the wall, trapped. Further, they also thought Theocracy is the only form of government acceptable for the people of God. But the statement does not imply also a Church restricted to the church and the sacristy. Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36), yet in Jesus, His kingdom is present. The give to Caesar statement means that everyone must be concerned about the political and social wellbeing of his country and must obey. At the same time, a reminder that no political authority could have any claim of being divine, as in the case of emperor Caesar. Leaders must exercise the responsibility that is from God. And give to God what is His is of greater importance than to give to Caesar what is Caesar's.