So, in recent times, we've heard an idea called "separation of Church and State". Firstly, this means different things to different people. For e.g. after the Bolshevik Communists took over Russia (which was formerly a Christian Country), they decreed a Separation of Church and State: "The Decree on Separation of Church from State and School from Church (Russian: Декрет об отделении церкви от государства и школы от церкви) is a legal act adopted by the Council of People's Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on January 20 (February 2), 1918 came into force on January 23 (February 5) of the same year, on the day of official publication.[1][2] It installed the secular nature of the state power, proclaimed the freedom of conscience and religion; religious organizations were deprived of any property rights and the rights of a legal entity. It laid the foundation for the deployment of atheistic propaganda and atheistic education.[3]"
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_on_Separation_of_Church_and_State
So this was in the Communist Revolution. It is an absolute travesty that these things are not known and popularized in the West.
"The state advocated the destruction of religion, and to achieve this goal, it officially denounced religious beliefs as superstitious and backward.[3][4] The Communist Party destroyed churches, synagogues,[5] and mosques, ridiculed, harassed, incarcerated and executed religious leaders, flooded the schools and media with anti-religious teachings, and it introduced a belief system called "scientific atheism", with its own rituals, promises and proselytizers.[6][7] According to some sources, the total number of Christian victims under the Soviet regime has been estimated to range around 12 to 20 million.[8][9]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians_in_the_Soviet_Union
So, even according to Wikipedia, some 12 to 20 Million CHRISTIANS died under the Communist USSR. Yet who speaks of this today? And so, the point here is, "Separation of Church and State" is not necessarily so benign as most western Christians think it is. It's a de-Christianizing tactic of anti-Christians. It's only been possible because Christendom is so tragically divided and fragmented.
In the West, like in America, "separation of the Church and State" usually means the government should not persecute Christians, which is fine. Christians too should never persecute anyone, either other Christians, or other religions, or even atheists. However, why are we so weak today? Most of the Christian Countries are being rapidly de-Christianized. My opinion is Separation of Church and State plays a part.
So let's study the issue: was there separation of Church (or Synagogue if you will) and State in Israel? Did Priests and Princes/Kings work separately? No! This is the advantage of having only One Church, or one Pastoral/Priestly Hierarchy - not 100+denominations. Some verses:
1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13: Kings were appointed by Priests - King David by the Pastor, Priest and Prophet Samuel:
"1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” ...
11So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."12So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah."
Now, in medieval times, most European Countries were Christian Kingdoms. Kings and Queens reigned in the Name of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Even today, the Church of England is officially not separated from the State. During Queen Elizabeth's funeral, that was evident.
But my questions is, (1) Is Church and State Separation or Unison better and more Biblical? (2) Does lack of Christian Unity play a part - if the Christian Churches re-united again, could we go back to the Biblical Model in Israel? (3) Does Separation of Church and State lead in time to the State becomning practically Atheistic or Agnostic, as has arguably happened in much of the West? Questions to consider.
Thoughts? God Bless.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_on_Separation_of_Church_and_State
So this was in the Communist Revolution. It is an absolute travesty that these things are not known and popularized in the West.
"The state advocated the destruction of religion, and to achieve this goal, it officially denounced religious beliefs as superstitious and backward.[3][4] The Communist Party destroyed churches, synagogues,[5] and mosques, ridiculed, harassed, incarcerated and executed religious leaders, flooded the schools and media with anti-religious teachings, and it introduced a belief system called "scientific atheism", with its own rituals, promises and proselytizers.[6][7] According to some sources, the total number of Christian victims under the Soviet regime has been estimated to range around 12 to 20 million.[8][9]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians_in_the_Soviet_Union
So, even according to Wikipedia, some 12 to 20 Million CHRISTIANS died under the Communist USSR. Yet who speaks of this today? And so, the point here is, "Separation of Church and State" is not necessarily so benign as most western Christians think it is. It's a de-Christianizing tactic of anti-Christians. It's only been possible because Christendom is so tragically divided and fragmented.
In the West, like in America, "separation of the Church and State" usually means the government should not persecute Christians, which is fine. Christians too should never persecute anyone, either other Christians, or other religions, or even atheists. However, why are we so weak today? Most of the Christian Countries are being rapidly de-Christianized. My opinion is Separation of Church and State plays a part.
So let's study the issue: was there separation of Church (or Synagogue if you will) and State in Israel? Did Priests and Princes/Kings work separately? No! This is the advantage of having only One Church, or one Pastoral/Priestly Hierarchy - not 100+denominations. Some verses:
1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13: Kings were appointed by Priests - King David by the Pastor, Priest and Prophet Samuel:
"1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” ...
11So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."12So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah."
Now, in medieval times, most European Countries were Christian Kingdoms. Kings and Queens reigned in the Name of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Even today, the Church of England is officially not separated from the State. During Queen Elizabeth's funeral, that was evident.
But my questions is, (1) Is Church and State Separation or Unison better and more Biblical? (2) Does lack of Christian Unity play a part - if the Christian Churches re-united again, could we go back to the Biblical Model in Israel? (3) Does Separation of Church and State lead in time to the State becomning practically Atheistic or Agnostic, as has arguably happened in much of the West? Questions to consider.
Thoughts? God Bless.