Mailvox: give to Caesar

God Doesn't Fret the IRS

In which I have a theological disagreement with VD and the ilk.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Mailvox: give to Caesar

JB wonders when it applies:

Not sure if you've run into this, but I've noticed a pattern when debating a liberal (Christian or not) about taxes and big government. When they get to the point where they have lost the argument, they throw a grenade with the statement, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's".

Now, I'm not one to take the words of Christ lightly. It is true, Jesus did not go out of His way to incite rebellion against Rome, and seemed to endorse the concept of taxation with that statement. However, something doesn't sit right with the liberal's logic when they resort to that statement.

I wonder if you or the Ilk have a solid response to the Render Unto Caesar argument.

I usually run into this with regards to taxes. My response is always the same as the response that preceded the advice. "Show me the coin used for paying the tax. Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" In other words, show me Caesar! So, while you can reasonably use this verse to justify writing a check to assorted dead men or the Federal Reserve, it is a poor argument in support of state or Federal taxation.

Now, it is important to note that it is not any wiser to refuse to pay the tax money demanded by the IRS than it is to refuse to pay the protection money demanded by the Mafia. But it does mean that the Biblical justification doesn't apply.

As for government, the liberal Christian's logic breaks down because what applies to a divine Emperor manifestly does not apply to a democracy, not even a constitutional republic in which the democracy is strictly limited. Whereas the imperial subject owes the Emperor nothing but obedience, the citizen of the republic has a duty to ensure that his duly elected government acts legitimately according to the bounds of the republic's constitution.

What gave Caesar legitimacy? The military supremacy of Rome. Many of the people who fell under Rome's sphere of influence did so without the consent of the people. So what is the logic of saying that it matters one wit what the people of this nation think about taxation? The Republic has mostly been dismantled and the people who hold to the idea of the Constitution are as occupied as certain Jews believed their nation to be. Power changes the status quo. If Paul was not advising people to concern themselves with their state in the world e.g. slavery, why would we think there was a significant concern about taxation for the Christian.

Christians spend a great deal of energy fretting about the world which obviously has been given over to Satan. The kingdoms of the world belong to Satan regardless of the form of government. 5%, 10% or 100% of what the principalities and powers of this world designate is irrelevant to the soul of a Christian.

Christians are citizens of the Kingdom... the fact we devote so much emotional energy to being Citizens of nations/states/ideologies robs us of spiritual peace.

Now obviously we exist in the world and within the confines of our systems we have as much right to attempt to influence and act as anyone, but this life is passing and our focus should not be there. Citizenship has its uses. Paul used his Roman citizenship. American citizenship might be useful in ministry... but ultimately it is a tool not an end.

Phil. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Col. 3:1-3 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Ephesians 2:11/Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.