On Rendering to Caesar

Robert Parham has posted an excellent essay about the morality of taxation. He describes this as "the forbidden topic in churches."

Ironically, his article about the need for preachers to become prophetic on the issue of sharing financial responsibility for the common good comes on the same day that the Supreme Court has decided that it is fine for the government to give away land for the erection of Christian symbols.

No doubt, more preachers will proclaim their approval of the government endorsing the majoritarian faith, than will preach about the need for each Christian to bear a fair share of the burden of taxation.

When queried about taxes, Jesus clearly advised Christians to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's (Mark 12:17). The function of Caesar (government) is to secure peace, justice and an opportunity for every citizen to make a contribution to society while living with dignity. When government exists only for the benefit of the wealthy, justice is denied and God is not pleased (Amos 2:6-8; Luke 12:15-21; Matthew 8:34-37).

Jesus was equally clear about rendering unto God the things that are God's. He preached against ostentatious, in-your-face public demonstrations of religiosity (Matthew 6:1-6). He proclaimed that the Kingdom of God does not come with observation, it is inward and personal (Luke 20:21). Since Christ's kingdom is not of this world, the religious right's fight to save Christian culture by securing Caesar's blessing for the symbols of majoritarian faith is pointless (John 18:36).

By diverting attention away from a genuine call to discipleship, America's Christian culture warriors have only succeeded in alienating many who might otherwise be receptive to the gospel.