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Christianity Today, March, 2008 |

Church in State

In post-Communist Germany, Christian political involvement is surging.

Philip Yancey | posted 3/10/2008 08:44AM

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In my writing, I sometimes caution Christians in the U.S. against confusing our mission with political causes; the close association of evangelicals with particular political causes can easily derail our mission. The East Germans have a different perspective, for understandable reasons. They believe that Christians have an important role to play in society. As one of the German politicians expressed it, "A liberal democratic state requires conditions that it cannot create."

In this election year, Americans are once again vigorously debating the precarious balance between religion and politics. Europe offers a cautionary tale in both directions. In many places, the historic coziness between church and state has soiled the church's reputation. The church in Spain, for example, is still trying to recover from the damage done by its close ties with the dictator Francisco Franco. Yet as the Saxon pastor pointed out, Christians remove themselves from the public square only at their peril. Finding the proper balance has profound implications for both church and state.

Related Elsewhere:

Reuters reports that German bishop Wolfgang Huber may run for president in 2009.

Philip Yancey's previous columns are available on our site.

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March 2008, Vol. 52, No. 3

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Steve

Posted: March 12, 2008 9:26 PM

This article is way too simplistic. I expected the author to present something with much more thoughts and insights - after all,he is the favorite of my son who read almost all of Yancey. Separation of church and state is not the real problem. The real issue is this: for what purpose does the church work with or without the state? So called state churches can do an excellent job working for the best interest of people (education, health care, law making etc...) the 8% "church tax" can establish a feeling of togetherness and keep the level of solidarity high in a country, whereas independent churches can do horrible-horrible things (see the Christian Right in the US) no matter how far they are separated from the state - in principle... This article could have argued for or against Christians' responsibility in a world where billions live under their potential due to exploitation supported by their own political leaders under the watch of their own spiritual and/or church leaders.

Joseph

Posted: March 12, 2008 8:25 PM

The origins of the celebration of any holiday is much like etymology, interesting, but not necessarily relevant. Christmas and easter are not pagan holidays. The fact that there were corresponding pagan holidays on similar dates to Christmas and easter is interesting... but not a very convincing point for one who wants to argue that two Christian holidays celebrating events from the earthly life of our Lord and savior, are in fact pagan. They are not pagan holidays.

T P	Posted: March 11, 2008 3:21 PM

Yancey is misleading in a number of areas. 1st: Germany was not Communist. It was Fascist and a form of Socialism in competition with Italy's form. Russia is Communist. China is Communist. 2nd: Having a Catholic foreign exchange student from Germany, the reason "Church affiliation in Germany matters," is because if they aren't, then they are not allowed to bury their dead in Catholic sanctioned cemetaries. 3rd: Christmas is a pagan holiday as is Easter. Anyone willing to put the effort into research will learn that. Celebrate giving, but put away lying. 4th: The gov distributes the "church tax"...to *approved* denominations for their work in schools, hospitals [another gov. socialist welfare program] and church upkeep. 5th: In opposition to Yancey's "our mission"--Christ gave His [com]mission for the church to PREACH the gospel and tell what the woman did. Government is by nature an enemy of the church & faith. Christians have become lazy & want salvation without responsiblity.

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