Integration and Separation of Church and State
by The role of the church in society has gone through significant changes over the last two thousand years. In past times, the church was the center of the community. In fact, while the west was being won in North America, one could predict the nature of a town by what was built first: the church or the saloon.
The Early Church, Persecuted by the State~30 AD to 313AD
In the early church, immediately following the resurrection of Christ, there were literally thousands of people daily who responded to the message of the gospel. They joined the original disciples of Christ to form the first church. The believers organized very quickly into what we would call “house churches”: small groups that met daily in private homes to worship, encourage, teach, and eat together. In Acts 4:32 we read: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”
For the first two or three hundred years, the Christian church grew quickly, but there was much persecution. Of the original twelve disciples, Judas hung himself after realizing what a despicable thing he had done in betraying Jesus, John was exiled to Patmos Island, and the other ten were martyred for refusing to stop preaching in Jesus’ name.
Hebrews 11:37-38 gives us the general idea of how well the Christian church got along with the establishment: “They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.”
A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, made a prophetic statement regarding the punishment of these early Christians: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
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Post Commentrutherfranc
On March 28, 2009 at 10:58 am
very informative.. most of us doesn`t know what was going on behind the affairs between church and government and how it turned out and became this way today.. thanks for sharing
Betty Carew
On March 28, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Very interesting article nice read Karen
Jimmy Shilaho
On March 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm
A well researched article. Great, keep it up Karen!
clay hurtubise
On March 28, 2009 at 4:16 pm
lo, “Will you look at that! Now the church is trying to get in on Christmas!”. Good article, though open to debate. As no one knows for sure what happened 2000 years ago it is interesting to see peoples interpretations.
Some scholars believe that Judas and Christ were friends, and that Christ told Judas to turn Christ in: then Judas was distraught and killed himself. Who knows for sure?
Christianity isn’t being picked on, it is that separation of church and state affects all religions.
Your brave to bring up religion or politics on Triond!:)
Good piece.
Thanks,
Clay
.
Lee Altman
On March 28, 2009 at 4:34 pm
great article
Inna Tysoe
On March 28, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Well written.
Inna
Catelin Hoover
On March 28, 2009 at 5:20 pm
KAren
You did a great job on this one, giving us a bird’s eye view of the history of Christianity from the first decade. A remarkable job.
As for the comment Clay made, apparently he isn’t well read in the scriptures or else doesn’t believe what is written…pity, as it is our only truth.
PR Mace
On March 28, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Informative well researched, well written piece.
Karen Gross
On March 28, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Thanks for all of your comments. I guess it was a bit gutsy to bring up both religion and politics on a Triond piece. I just write what I know, and I try to get the research right.
I need to submit another fix – did anyone notice that I got the wrong King Henry the first time? It was Henry VIII – those Roman numerals get me every time. Also, Henry’s split with Rome was the cause of the separation of church and state, not the ending of it. Although technically it was the beginning of the integration of the Anglican church with the English state – sorry, it’s late and I am confusing myself… anyway – thanks for the encouragement!
Jeffrey B. Merrow
On April 1, 2009 at 2:37 pm
wow yoo are awsome your great at getting the view to the reader and your thought direction is on the topic delivering it with precision great stuff
Brian Daniel Stankich
On April 30, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Karen, thanks for sharing this well written history with the public. I too believe in the separation, but not expulsion. Why is it okay to persecute Christians? Brian
Pete Macinta
On May 6, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Exactly why my church is not 501 c 3.
Clay writes…
As no one knows for sure what happened 2000 years ago it is interesting to see peoples interpretations.
Some scholars believe that Judas and Christ were friends, and that Christ told Judas to turn Christ in: then Judas was distraught and killed himself. Who knows for sure?
Hi Clay! Aye, but we do know for sure. Whatever is recorded in the NT most certainly did happen.
jamie mullen
On May 26, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I think it’s a bit rich to call non-christians easily offended.