Lesson from November 29, 2009
The manner in which the Church as a whole and local churches in particular have chosen to involve themselves in the political realm has varied over time and as a function of the traditions and theology of various denominations. In our own country the Establishment clause in the Constitution (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”) draws a line of separation between the Church and the State, and has also had a significant impact on how involved American Churches have been able to be. For most, the issue is not whether or not Christians should seek to serve and alleviate the suffering of others in this world, but rather the most appropriate means to do so, both in terms of the theology of the Gospel and the philosophy of ministry of the Church.