episode 8the old republic: the separation of church

and state

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap Him by what He said. 16

They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God.

matthew 22:15-16a

You defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality. 17 Tell us, therefore, what You

think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But perceiving their

malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites?

matthew 22:16b-18

19 Show Me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20

“Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them. 21 “Caesar’s,” they said

to Him. Then He said to them,

matthew 22:19-21a

“Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When

they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.

matthew 22:21b-22

"Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents,

our teachers, and our country."

"Had the (founding fathers), during the revolution, a suspicion of any attempt

to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled

in its cradle....

At the time of the adoption of the constitution and its amendments, the

universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, but

not any one sect."

"The great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of

our people in the pure doctrine and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus

Christ."

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of

religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,”

messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, and Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut. Gentlemen The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction.

my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship,

that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, i contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.

Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, i shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

i reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem. Th Jefferson

Jan. 1. 1802.

Government has a divine assignment separate from the mission of the church.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.• When government reaches beyond its

divine boundaries by promoting or restricting faith the spiritual vitality of the people suffers.

• God did not sanction the government to be the guardian of the soul.

The Church has the divine assignment to be the presence and voice of God in society.

Give to God what is God’s• Freedom of religion should not mean the

same as freedom “from” religion.• God expects His people to be the light and

the salt of the earth.• The Church gives God all He so rightfully

deserves—their very lives.

episode 8the old republic: the separation of church

and state