Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 127:505 (Jan 1970)
Article: Biblical Light on the Christian’s Civil Responsibility
Author: W. Robert Cook

BSac 127:505 (Jan 70) p. 44

Biblical Light on the Christian’s Civil Responsibility

W. Robert Cook

[W. Robert Cook, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary, Portland, Oregon.]

The term civil refers to that which pertains to citizenship and since the Christian is a citizen of several realms an exhaustive treatment of civil responsibility would include an itemizing of duties in each realm. It is the intent of this article, however, to deal with the realm of government alone. Civil, then, is used in its more restrictive and usually understood sense.

Since there is a need to be brief, the principle of selectivity must be exercised. Consequently, only the more significant passages will be considered, and these in a limited fashion. Further, it is not the intent of this study to provide answers to very complicated problems in the area of political science. Rather, we hope to ascertain the major guiding principles set forth in Scripture which then may be applied by any believer in any situation. It must be kept in mind that, while these considerations may open up many areas of question and controversy, in the final analysis the only authoritative word is that of the Bible. In many cases the Bible gives us principles rather than specific rules. At points such as this the whole counsel of God, the leading and control of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of intellect must be utilized in the formation of judgments and actions.

It is readily apparent that this topic is closely related to the all-important issue of the proper relationship between church and state. As Kik writes: “State and Church differ radically in their origin, in their membership, in their aims, in their laws, in their weapons, and in their extent. Such is the teaching of the New Testament. The Scriptures make a clear distinction and a definite line of demarcation between

BSac 127:505 (Jan 70) p. 45

Caesar’s kingdom and that of Christ’s. History reveals that much harm results to both kingdoms when this distinction is disregarded or blurred.”1

While it is not the purpose of this article to deal with this issue, it is of utmost importance that the biblical principle of the separation of church and state be kept in mind. Hodge stated the matter well when he said: “If at any time, as may well happen, a given question assumed both a moral and political bearing…then the duty of the Church is limited to setting forth the law of God on the subject. It is not her office to argue the question in its bearing on the civil or secular interests of the community, but simply to declare in her official capacity what God has said on the subj...