The State
Render to Caesar what is Caesars and give to God what is God's.
Mark 12:17
When this is quoted, people often leave off the question and give it as an example of Jesus's wisdom—sometimes it is simply cited as an example of cleverness.
The question before it is interesting: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Romans or not? By "lawful" they meant under Jewish law of course. The question is an example of religious scrupulosity and legalism being wielded as a weapon against the Lord who spoke over the top of the details of law most of his earthly life. Standing against that was the state, Roman law and the hammer of Roman power to enforce it.
I was thinking about that moment this morning when I read about the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Masterpiece cakes vs a gay couple who wanted a custom cake. Do all Americans have the right to buy cake? Arguably they do. Does a baker have the right to refuse the bake one with an explicit message contrary to his beliefs? Arguably he does. This particular case resolved very little, aside from the courts demand that both sets of rights be respected and weighed fairly in lower court rulings.
It begs the question, what would Jesus have said? The Caesar side of this equation is the equal civil rights of all Americans under civil law. All citizens should have equal access to tax breaks, provision of health benefits and other benefits historically offered only to married couples. They have the right under civil law to form relationships as they see fit and to obtain those benefits. In a democratic state we must all be treated equally—and yes, I know, many groups struggle to make that a reality.
The God side of this equation is the Church's teaching on sex and marriage and how believers live their lives. The church has the right to define marriage, especially sacramental marriage, and to teach its members how to live their lives. It should not be forced to perform ceremonies in violation of its teaching or to place children for adoption/foster care in homes that don't reflect its own values.
The courts will need the wisdom of Solomon—or of Jesus—as they sort through this tangle, and sort it they will eventually. In reviewing Mark 12 I noticed something else interesting. A few verses below this one Jesus quotes Leviticus giving us the two great commandments. Both have been under siege in public discourse in recent years. I pray we as people of faith remember them.
Mark 12:17
When this is quoted, people often leave off the question and give it as an example of Jesus's wisdom—sometimes it is simply cited as an example of cleverness.
The question before it is interesting: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Romans or not? By "lawful" they meant under Jewish law of course. The question is an example of religious scrupulosity and legalism being wielded as a weapon against the Lord who spoke over the top of the details of law most of his earthly life. Standing against that was the state, Roman law and the hammer of Roman power to enforce it.
I was thinking about that moment this morning when I read about the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Masterpiece cakes vs a gay couple who wanted a custom cake. Do all Americans have the right to buy cake? Arguably they do. Does a baker have the right to refuse the bake one with an explicit message contrary to his beliefs? Arguably he does. This particular case resolved very little, aside from the courts demand that both sets of rights be respected and weighed fairly in lower court rulings.
It begs the question, what would Jesus have said? The Caesar side of this equation is the equal civil rights of all Americans under civil law. All citizens should have equal access to tax breaks, provision of health benefits and other benefits historically offered only to married couples. They have the right under civil law to form relationships as they see fit and to obtain those benefits. In a democratic state we must all be treated equally—and yes, I know, many groups struggle to make that a reality.
The God side of this equation is the Church's teaching on sex and marriage and how believers live their lives. The church has the right to define marriage, especially sacramental marriage, and to teach its members how to live their lives. It should not be forced to perform ceremonies in violation of its teaching or to place children for adoption/foster care in homes that don't reflect its own values.
The courts will need the wisdom of Solomon—or of Jesus—as they sort through this tangle, and sort it they will eventually. In reviewing Mark 12 I noticed something else interesting. A few verses below this one Jesus quotes Leviticus giving us the two great commandments. Both have been under siege in public discourse in recent years. I pray we as people of faith remember them.
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