Given the historic Baptist principle of separation of church and state, how do you see the duty of the church toward society?
In my essay on the nature and mission of the local congregation I speak to some of this. The duty of the church is to reveal Christ. This is difficult work. It is demanding. It encompasses all of our life?even our political life.
The separation of church and state is an excellent political theory. I do not believe that the scriptures suggest that a theocracy is what God desires. We Baptists have historically spoken a great deal about the sins and risks of the state church. All this said, this does not mean that the separation of church and state suggests there are two realities for an individual: political and spiritual. As disciples, we live Christian lives. How we vote, how we spend our money, all of this is informed by our faith. This is complicated and frustrating. Christianity is not monolithic. No political party in America represents Christianity. Navigating the American political landscape is complicated.
As it always should, the church is to proclaim Christ to the world. This may mean that Christians stand on the side of the oppressed at all times?whether the oppressed is a terrorist group or an elementary school held hostage. The prayer of St Francis serves me well here.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
This, for me, is a generous and simple way to live in the American political landscape even as diverse and complicated as it is. It allows for the diversity of others while encouraging a singularity of Christian purpose. If I am to love my neighbor, even the one with the political viewpoint I cannot understand, how will that take shape? How will that change my life? How will it change the life of my neighbor?
Christianity is to be an active force in the world. We are to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. How this is done has taken many forms, but how has it been known? Have we Christians been known by our love? Not always. The prayer of St Francis has that end in mind.
So, simply put, the duty of the church to society is to love it.