In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus offers a pithy phrase that has been used ever since to guide Christians on how to get along with their ruling government.
“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s,” Christ said, responding to a trap laid for him by the ruling priests, who asked whether the Jews should be paying taxes to the Roman Empire.
They had hoped Jesus would either say they shouldn’t pay tax, so that the authorities would arrest him, or that they should pay tax, so his growing number of followers would disown him.
The meaning of Christ’s answer continues to be debated.
On one hand, Jesus is exposing the question’s false yes/no framing. Taken at face value, his response is simply that there is no sin in paying taxes and respecting earthly authority while also worshipping God.
Paul takes the statement one step further.
In a letter to the Romans, he informed early Christians that disobeying the government is tantamount to disobeying God.
“Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,” he wrote.
Paul sees no difference between governments, whether they are brutal dictatorships or the most inclusive democracy. Governments in all form are all part of God’s plan, according to Paul, and it is not for believers who truly fear and worship God to question divine will, even if the government persecutes them.
Many Christians, particularly pacifists, follow this view, pointing out that by allowing himself to be crucified, Jesus literally gave unto Caesar what is Caesar’s (his mortal body) and gave unto God what is God’s (his immortal spirit).
But there is a significant segment of modern Christianity that interprets the words of Jesus and Paul differently.
In this view, giving unto God what is God’s always trumps the edict of manmade laws. Therefore, there is no sin in challenging and even defying the law if it interferes with worship and living a holy life.
This is where Christians are colliding, not just with one another but also with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. She has not allowed congregations to assemble in person for worship since November. That has led to a court challenge.
Meanwhile, in Alberta, Pastor James Coates remains in jail for refusing to stop offering in-person worship services, sparking a protest of about 75 participants in front of Prince George city hall on Saturday.
One local pastor made a point of giving his name but not his affiliated church when speaking to a Citizen reporter at the protest, noting his parishioners are also divided on the issue.
In January, The Citizen published a letter to the editor signed by a local minister and 37 other faith leaders from around B.C. in support of Dr. Henry’s orders.
Perhaps the words and example of Christ offer a path forward on this thorny issue. After all, Jesus said “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, AND (not or) unto God the things that are God’s.”
In other words, the two acts are not mutually exclusive and should be done simultaneously whenever possible.
Any churches wishing to host in-person services should provide a thorough safety plan for review to the provincial health officer, following the example set by many restaurants offering in-person dining. Church safety plans would also need to address issues around specific sacraments. For example, how would confession be heard and holy communion offered? How would baptisms be conducted? What about singing and blessings given through the laying of hands?
In turn, the provincial health officer should be willing to assess church safety plans on a case-by-case basis and grant permission when the standards have been met to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
A blanket ban on all forms of indoor public religious gatherings is as unhelpful during this pandemic as throwing open the church doors and allowing worship without any public health restrictions. If the shopping malls, the temples of consumerism, can remain open with COVID-19 protocols, there must be a way for places of worship to do the same.
Non-believers have their own pithy phrase that mirrors Christ’s words: you can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Both sides should show a willingness to meet each other halfway to meet their needs, rather than fighting it out in court.
That would allow all people of faith to render unto Dr. Henry’s what is Dr. Henry’s and render unto God what is God’s, while also offering health protection to everyone, believers and non-believers alike.
