Synoptic Strand 1- Religion and State
Relationship between Religion & State
ancient world= close relationship between religion & politics with rulers & dynasties often claiming that position or authority was willed by God or the gods
emergence of other religions e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam etc... led eventually to more of distinction being made between religious & political spheres
different models & patterns of dynamics & complex relationships between religion & given political state have evolved throughout history & parts of the world
sometimes 2 are seen as friends- work together and support each other to point of being intergrated e.g. Iran- Sharia Law= religious law & state law
other extreme= religion and politics regarded as enemies in hostile opposition- feel threatened by the other
e.g. communist countries like North Korea & China
another relationship is that the 2 can be seen as strangers, each keeping to their own sphere operating independently of each other- 'Separation of Church and State' position
e.g. USA
Religion and State influence each other- impact and shape each other in a dynamic, complex evolving relationships
Development of Relationship between Christianity & Politics
New Testament
2nd Apologists
"give Caesar what is Caesar's... and to God what is God's"- church and state both legitimate
New Testament encourages obedience to state, but obedience to God's christian's higher priority (Romans 13 v 1-8)
obedience to state but God is a higher authority than that
christian's didn't believe that state were living in was their real home just passing through- 1 Peter 2 v 13-17
Paul to Philippians 3 v 20- our citizenship is in Heaven
idea that obey authorities, but not in real home just passing through
Justin Martyr- christians upright citizens who do everything for emperor, but don't comprise faith
Christians called- 'pacifists'
Development of Relationship
(4th) Constantine
(5th) Augustine
(14th) Marsilius
conversion resulted in benefits for church
Theodosius 1 established Christianity as state religion- marked beginning of close church & state religion- AD 380
wrote article called 'City of God'
emphasised 2 opposing cities/ societies- one of God and the other of Satan
one pertaining to God marked of Love of God, other was marked Love of Self
power of papacy rose to point King of England had to submit to Pope
Denfensor Pacis (Defender of the Peace) argued that Church should not have political power, but should be subject to the state rather than the reverse
influenced by Aristotle's politics, stated that the people should choose their rules and the church should keep out of politics following Jesus who told apostles they weren't to be like rulers of this world
church should have no secular power but leave state to manage law, economy, military & other worldly things
Post Reformation Church of England
Reformation (16th)- 2 views on Church & State
Magisterial
Anabaptists
some reformers wanted to keep link between church & state that had existed from 4th century
regarded magistrates or rules as having a duty to enforce the religious and moral reforms
e.g. Luther & Zwingli- known as magisterial reformers
opposed idea that of state church- a long with view that every citizen regarded as a church member through infant baptism
Menno Simons- argue that Christian faith is voluntary & shouldn't be compelled by State
State- church linkage, denied liberty of conscience & religious freedom
since 16th century many reformed churches have been state churches established and privileged by law
many have argued for its disestablishment since its continued linkage with the state is viewed as a medieval anachronism in modern, secular, multicultural England
since 16th century the English monarch has had the title 'Fidei Defensor' (Defender of the Faith)
understood as defender of Anglican faith
Relationship between Church and State in Europe & USA & conclusion
Protestant & Catholic states engaged to war with each other for religious & political supremacy as map of Europe was redrawn
countries in Northern Europe, went with Reformation, while most in the South stayed Catholic
30 years War between Catholic and Protestant armies ended with the Peace of Westphalia- countries agreed to respect each other's national integrity
US Declaration of Independance ensured that the state couldn't coerce people
baptists have separation of church & faith as one key principles
doesn't teach religions in schools, but has paid chaplains in governments
have 'in God we Trust' on currency