Does the Bible Teach That There Should Be a Separation of Church and State?

Does the Bible teach there should be a separation of church and state. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez. This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

Our phone lines are open right now and you can call us for the next 25 minutes at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites course are always welcome to email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Bill who's calling in from Missouri.

Bill, what's your question for atrial program, would you compare first of all in for work about the dead in Christ shall rise and leave those that remain will be caught up in the air and then love Zechariah 14: acts 111 workout vector landing on the Mount of olives and N-word of marriage supper the lamp and second coming timeline hey Bill, thank you, to bring together a number of passages. Zechariah 14 talking about the day the Lord something you see actually repeated throughout the minor prophets and then of course, first Thessalonians chapter 4. One of the key text to go to.

Speaking of the day of the Lord, the coming of the Lord, and I think all of these passages referring to.

Ultimately, the second coming for the final judgment contemporaneous with that means happening at the same time as the resurrection of the dead entrance into the be everlasting eternal state.

We might say this is all happening at the same time and I think that brings us into that great marriage feast that we see in the book of Revelation that celebration of the people of God and in the final defeat of Satan, one of the reasons I think that there's a at times confusion on this and on the timeline is because were looking at the book of Revelation. Not everything is meant to be taken sequentially. That is to say unit is to start in the beginning and then you're giving like given a linear timeline of events throughout history.

What John is doing is he's getting these these glimpses of these great events in history leading up to the second coming, the final judgment. The marriage supper of the Lamb and its what's called recapitulation that is is is for the same thing, think of other history repeating itself, and this is what is characteristic of human history. In this age, suffering, sorrow, pain that the victory of the saints through patient endurance in doing good and so were looking forward to that.

The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the bodily second coming of Christ is something every every Christian. I think agrees on.

Regardless of your your view on the end times were all agreeing with is Jesus is is can physically come back to earth and execute judgment and that will bring us to the marriage supper of the Lamb Less think that question hey Bill, thanks so much for calling and by the way, we have a great Bible study on the book of Revelation. If you'd like to find that it's at core Christianity.com/studies it will really help you understand a book that many people find confusing. Israel doesn't find it confusing because he's preaching through it right now.

So every week he dedicates about 40 hours of study to the book of Revelation, which I'm very impressed by the way, yeah right what you really are interested in the book I am preaching on. I am Dan and it's not it doesn't come as a breeze and made it it's there some difficult interpretive decisions in the book of Revelation. I just tell you one. I was joking with my congregation a few weeks ago because I was preaching through Revelation chapter 6. We have a rider on a white horse going out conquering and to conquer and there are many commentators that will that's that's Jesus writing on the white horse is in Revelation 19 Jesus is riding on white horses of this is Jesus.

Earlier in Revelation chapter 6 and then there are others will say no that's the Antichrist now that there are great commentators who differ on this and so you gotta make these interpretive choices like okay is that my citizen Jesus remained say this is the evil one and a so it's almost like you know bombed effusively, you don't know what what wire to cut the red of the blue wire so it's stressful Bill pray for me as I print to the book of Revelation that God would help me to get it to get it right and to be faithful. As a minister.

The word I meant this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez would love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life.

Maybe some doubts about the Christian faith. Maybe you're struggling with a particular issue or maybe passage of the Bible that you don't really understand. Give us a call right now 833.core that's 1-833-843-2673 Christie calling in from Omaha, Nebraska Christie what your question for atrial. Thank you for the encouragement Christie what your question, I referring you were rendered and rendered the Lord, the Lord, how should we respond when we know that dollars paid you are going to live our faith bring Planned Parenthood the man a really good question you not the only one tooth to asked this question because it is quite concerning. And of course we see the government using those tax dollars for all sorts of things that we wouldn't agree with. As believers look one, I would say I suspect that as Jesus is making this statement you think about how Caesar at that time was using those resources and I am pretty certain that those resources were also being used in in ways that you know probably that the church would've objected to me that that the that early Christians faced a lot of persecution, suffering at the hands of the Romans and so you know what where were they getting were the Romans getting the money to pay for those soldiers who were doing those things and I think I think clearly, in part, it was the tax dollars and so and so this is this is a tough a really tough question but I'm inclined to say look, Jesus says render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar now. We might have strong disagreements and I think that we should voice those concerns and do whatever we can to bring about change and we want to see those those resources used not for bad evil destructive things. But for good things and so insofar as the Lord is giving us opportunity.

I think we we speak out against those things and we take we take a stand. But does that mean that we you know should then say well I'm just not going to pay my taxes because I think that they're not using those resources. The way that you know it in a way that would honor the what I do think that back that same objection probably could have been made in Matthew chapter 22 by the people to whom Jesus is is speaking probably was made because you think about the pagan Roman government. This machine this great beast as it's depicted in in various places and in the Scriptures, it makes sense why this question would even come up.

And yet Jesus is look render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to him and I think that I think that principle still stands today and so I think you know we we we can have a clear conscience about that, but we should. I think as I said take a stand and be clear that were against certain things and seek to bring about change where we can as individual citizens.

Thank you for your question Christie some good counsel. Thanks for that Israel very tough issue. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and we receive a lot of questions on this program about the topic of worship people call them say what exactly is worship and what should it look like and it looks different in my church will today. We don't want to offer you a great free resource on the topic of worship yeah bit the resources called nine things everyone should know about worship. A lot of people are confused about worship, especially when we think about gathering together as a church to honor the Lord with our songs with our prayers. What should that look like, how important is that is important for rustic to gather together can we just you know so to view all of life is worship and so doesn't really matter if you're going to church on Sunday, so long as you're living a worshipful life unto the Lord again.

There's a lot of confusion on the subject and so we want to help bring some clarity in an illumination for you on the topic of worship and this is a free resource you can download over@corechristianity.com called nine things everyone should know about worship.

We love offering your free resources here at the core and you can get that again by going to core Christianity.com/offers look for nine things everyone should know about worship might, but something could pass along to your worship leader, your church, which would be helpful. Yeah, so pay when we get voicemails here at the core and you can call us 24 hours a day with your voicemail question. Here's the number it's 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673. There's a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners named Tim. Question Isaiah 3322 as the foundation for the separation of church and state borders are in charge to the judicial branch is are logged over the legislative branch.

Lords and King of the executive branch so why is this not being put out from the pulpit more as soon as I go. Should be a question of historical fire. Most Christians today do not know yet. Sounds like like me be your you're concerned with believers who are bringing those two things together may be confusing the church and the state of the church with the state and of course there was a time in redemptive history where they were one entity. I'm thinking in particular of the theocracy under the old covenant where where God was the great King ruling through men like David and you.

He gave his people.

These civil laws, ceremonial laws, then NNU had basically that the church and the state were were one now course, that that theocracy has been done away with those. It is no civil institution anymore. And in that sense you know for for the people of God.

Now God governs his kingdom through the church. The local church which is not associated with one particular nation but with all the nations of the world.

This is one of the most beautiful things about the new covenant. This is why we we refer to the church is Catholic and what I mean by that is not Roman Catholic I'm in Catholic and in the sense of universality the church is is a part of, and in all the nations of the world because it's not it's not connected to one particular race or people group and this is how God is always intended to be his salvation to spread out throughout the world and so where there's confusion on this. Anisa Wyatt why don't pastors talk more about this, but let me just say speaking is a minister myself, I think we all have things that we we we would like to hear our pastor address more often. It's those issues that were that were really tied to that were really passionate about, but the job of your pastor is to say, thus saith the Lord, and to preach holy Scripture and to go through a preacher preach the books of the Bible expositor that the text of Scripture, and there are times are you going to cover. You know those those things may be that those passages that speak to these these kinds of issues but that's not always the case. What you should be hearing continually from your pastor is the message of Christ, the forgiveness of sins the hope that we have in the gospel of and that's that's what you want to hear every single week and so let me just encourage you in that way.

But then, with regard to the distinction of power between the church and the state that that something that we see in the Bible you know there. Some were saying that I tend to agree with this, that the state as this common institution in the world as it was almost made a thing if you will, through God's covenant with with no need of this sort of common grace, universal covenant where God promises to preserve society and order and justice in and one of the ways that he does that is through the state. We see this in places like Romans chapter 13 for example, where were Paul has a discussion about, you know, obeying, submitting to civil governing authorities because they come to us from God. And so there are these legitimate authorities who are accountable to God and to his law, there can you be judged by the Lord, but there but there are also common and provisional meaning they're not to be confused with God's redemptive kingdom.

The church that's always good to be around right this is this is the kingdom that's gonna cover the whole earth in the new creation. It's gonna replace all the kingdoms of the world.

This is what the prophet Daniel saw in Daniel chapter 2 in this great vision that he had and so it is important that we keep that distinction clear that we don't confuse the church with the state but that we also recognize the legitimacy of both for the purposes that God has given them.

Thank you for that question by question. Thanks so much Tim for calling it.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Sam in Nebraska sandwich or question for Israel Pedro, I've been struggling with this question with a friend of mine for a while and want to know if maybe you could help out with that. It's about the sovereignty of God and our sin and what I mean by that is if God knows us from the beginning. Now the end of our time and I'll just throw this example out as it like like the sin of homosexuality that you don't want to chosen that the argument ain't and whatever that I get back from it is will God knows my heart I know you not.

I know the Bible or Scripture, and God knows my heart and they believe they're still going to go to heaven and I don't want to be a judge. I don't want to judge anybody. I know that God is good to judge us in his time when we meet 40 but II don't know how to explain what answer and it's it's a struggle with me on the sovereignty because God knows everything.

He knows what were doing. He knows what sins were going to make so on and so forth, but yet I'm just it's a quandary as a make that make sense yeah it's tough and you know I appreciate brother that this is something that concerns as you have conversations with with your friends. So let me just a couple of things.

One, with regard to the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Yes, God knows all things and all things happen according to the counsel of his will. As the apostle Paul says in Ephesians chapter 1, but that does not make God the author of sin that does not excuse our sins because were still responsible before the Lord. And so while the Lord knows all things. You know, according to his laws reveal he calls us to follow him to obey him to turn from our sins and to lay hold of Jesus Christ and when we don't if we don't that's on us. That's not that's not God's fault.

We can't blame God.

And so for our part, we call all people everywhere to repent, because God has revealed in his word that that's what we should do that that free offer of the gospel goes out promiscuously to all people and it's a real offer of of salvation, and so we we extend that to people calling people to turn from their sins. And I understand that today that's not such a difficult thing for so many people because her so I don't I don't want to judge another person and and we individually don't. It's the word of God. It's his law that were held accountable to. So this is where where we have to be careful mean Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 6 verse nine do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived. Yes, God is going to judge, but he tells us very clearly that the unrighteous are not going to inherit the kingdom of God and then he he he he says neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor real violators nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. But here's hope. The hope of the gospel. Verse 11 there and for scripting six and such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God.

That's the hope that we have salmon is that look all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. You can talk to this person said, look, I'm coming to you as a fellow sinner who has experienced the mercy and grace of God I want you to know that this is for you. Don't cling to your sin, because when we do, were judged justly by the Lord cling don't cling to your sin, repented and turned to the Lord confessing that sin to him and know that he receives you and forgives you and thanks for that question. We Lord bless you as you have these conversations you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez were to be recording a second episode of core Christianity today after our live program ends here just a few minutes. So if you weren't able to get through.

Now is your time to call and faculty taking calls for the next 35 minutes or so at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 and I would love to hear your question again will be recording a second program will be on the air but would love to answer your question. That show will be airing at a later date. Go to Russell who is calling in from Kansas City, Missouri Russell watcher question for atrial way for 23 your heart from all that sort will bring to life looking for place for employers to passages. Philippians 423 and Proverbs 423.

Well let me see Philippians 423 is the benediction that Paul gives to the Philippian church where he says the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit is at the verse that you were talking about Russell and also Proverbs 423 Cory okay will those benedictions given to the church or gummy just really that that the apostle Paul.

There speaking in a powerful way the grace of God over the people of God, something that I do each Sunday at the end of our worship service. You know, we give a benediction from places like this are from Numbers chapter 6 the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you, it's God. It's God communicating his goodness, his grace to his people through his minister and so that's what Paul is doing there in Philippians closing out the book and of course it's what we see so often in those salutations, those early greetings in the New Testament letters and that's with me that I think a big take away for for believers is that we want to be trained up in is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ growing in the grace and the knowledge of Christ and then with regard to the book of Proverbs. You said Proverbs chapter 4 verse 23, not just to give give some context and Proverbs is a part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. And so you're giving these deeper given these statements. These these principles of wisdom here in verse 23 says keep your heart with all vigilance for food for from it flow the springs of life. Guard your heart in essence is what wisdom says here why because it's from the heart that proceeds springs the, the, for from it flow the springs of life. It is very similar to what our Lord Jesus said when he gave a warning about sin and one point about Russell. He was questioned by the religious leaders about how come he and his disciples didn't wash their hands like they did why they didn't keep to the tradition of the elders why they didn't eat in the same way and she said look, it's not what goes into your body that defiles you. It's what comes out of your heart. That's what defiles you from the heart proceed all manner of sinful thoughts and and inclinations and so look again just the importance of the heart being being central to who we are as as people in and from our hearts flowing those deeper money that the sin even in this is why we need Russell new hearts given to us by the Lord through his grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit. That's why we need to be born again and so here again what were forgetting is this call to care for and and and guard our hearts because of because of the importance of the heart. Thank you for for the question that you called in with in the hope that clears up both those passages for you. God bless. Thanks Russell appreciate you listing your core Christianity we receive emails here at the core and here's one from Debbie and she says can a woman lead an adult Sunday school class and teach men and women from God's word.

Yeah, I know that there are some people that that disagree with this but I don't see any issue with this and were not talking about preaching on the Lord's day before the congregation is God's minister. I think that that's something that's reserved for, called qualified male elders, pastors, but what word were talking about teaching right not in the context of corporate worship but just, you know, for the edification of the saints and encouragement of believers. I don't see anything wrong with this. I don't think that that's prohibited think this is something that that can and not to be done.

Of course, God's gift. Each one of us and in unique ways in teaching is a gift that the Lord gives to his church to his people and so I think I think this could totally happen in the context of a local church.

You know, under the oversight and care of the elders. The church especially if someone has has unique insight to particular subject or doctrine. I think it's I think this is a wonderful thing and so thank you for that question and bill a lot of really good questions today on the broadcast. Without a doubt, you know, it's just really a blessing to hear from our listeners and so many of them have great questions about God's word really digging in and I know as a pastor you appreciate that. Yeah I mean just getting to hear these kinds of questions you one of the things were so encouraged by brothers and sisters is think the care that people want to take us there, studying the Scriptures to dig deeper and so we hope that we've been able to encourage you in that and let's continue to search the Scriptures together and grow in the grace and the knowledge of Christ.

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