Jerusalem and Rome

Family North Carolina Magazine—May/Jun 2008

By R. Matthew Lytle

In the third century A.D., Tertullian, one of the great Fathers of the early church asked an interesting question: “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” He asked this question because the teaching of the church had started to become heavily influenced by different philosophical systems. Most of the time, this philosophical infiltration led to heresies that would threaten for decades to divide the church. Tertullian’s question of what Athens has to do with Jerusalem inquires into the relationship between philosophy (Athens) and theology (Jerusalem).

This issue of Family North Carolina deals with a question that can be asked in the following way: “What has Rome to do with Jerusalem?” In other words, what is the nature of the relationship between the government (Rome) and the church (Jerusalem)? Should Christians get involved in the public square, and what does this involvement look like?

For the Christian, I think the answer is summed up in two sayings of Jesus (it is interesting that these sayings would come from Jesus, whose kingdom is not of this world). The first saying is found in the context of Matthew 22:15–22. When asked whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome, Jesus asked whose face was imprinted on the coin. When the Pharisees and Herodians answered that it was Caesar’s face, Jesus famously tells them to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

The implication here is that it is allowable–and even appropriate–for the people of God to relate to the governing authorities. Indeed, Paul commands the Roman church to submit to the local authorities. After all, according to Paul (and to Jesus, who tells Pilate that any earthly authority comes from above) the governing authorities have been established by God and therefore carry out his will, even if it is hard to see how at times.

The other saying also comes in response to a question. This time, a lawyer asks Jesus what he thinks is the first and greatest commandment. Jesus responds in Mark 12:28–34 that the first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” He also lists a second commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Of course, many people have questioned what it looks like to love one’s neighbor. Martin Luther believed that one of these ways was through the law, by which he meant not only the Old Testament, but also legislation in government. Luther understood law to have several functions. One of these functions was to constrain people from being as bad as they could be. This makes the world safer for everyone and allows people to enjoy greater freedom to live and work.

As the articles in this issue will show, there are several ways for Christians to get involved in the public square. The first–and perhaps most obvious–way for Christians to get involved is to vote. As an elective republic, our system of government rests upon the votes of the people. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, among other things, that “the world is run by people who show up.” This is a true statement. It is certainly true in the public square. The future of America is determined largely by those who vote.

Another important way that Christians can get involved in the public square is to educate other Christians about moral and legislative issues. The hope here is that these newly-educated Christians will want to do something to make their voices heard in the government, either through running for office or lobbying.

Returning to the question of what Rome has to do with Jerusalem, I think a better way to ask the question would be: “What has Jerusalem to do with Rome?” What relationship do Christians have with the government, and what relationship should they have?

The answer might surprise some. The fact is, Jerusalem and Rome have quite a bit to do with each other.

With this in mind, we hope that this issue of Family North Carolina causes you to reflect on the role of Christians and government–of the relationship between Jerusalem and Rome. More than that, we hope that this issue will cause you to ponder your own role as a citizen in the public square.

R. Matthew Lytle is director of research for the North Carolina Family Policy Council.