God and Caesar

by John Eidsmoe

Jesus said, Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's, thereby approving (at least for this age) the idea of human government. The hard part is deciding what actually belongs to Caesar and what should be reserved exclusively for God. How Christians are to understand and apply Jesus' words has been a point of controversy since the days of the apostles. Many difficult issues that continue to trouble Christians are dealt with in this book: -Is there a biblical pattern for human government? -What should we as Christians expect from government? -Should Christians participate in government? -What does the Bible have to say about issues related to government such as wealth and poverty, left and right, crime and punishment, the family, education, censorship and pornography, civil disobedience, liberation theology, military service? -Do some systems of government follow biblical teaching more closely than others? What about American democracy - how does it measure up? Would a socialist or redistributive economic and governmental system be more biblical? John Eidsmoe brings a wealth of biblical insight, theological reflection, and practical experience to bear on the crucial issue of how biblical Christianity and politics relate. Here at last is a book that simply and clearly shows how we really can give both God and Caesar their due.

Genres: Politics, Christian, American History, Religion, Political Science

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1984

About the author

John Eidsmoe is a frequent lecturer and debater at colleges, universities, churches, and civics groups. As a constitutional attorney, he has successfully litigated court cases involving First Amendment religious freedom and has defended home education and Christian schools, championed the right of students and teachers to study the Bible in public schools, debated ACLU attorneys on radio and television, and served on the Ten Commandments Legal Defense Team. He is an ordained pastor in the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, and with his family (he and his wife have been married over 30 years, have three children: David, Kirsten and Justin) he lives in rural Pike Road, Alabama.

He holds five degrees in law, theology, and political science. These include two doctorates, one in law from the University of Iowa, and one in ministry from the Oral Roberts University. He earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Lutheran Brethern Seminary and his Master of Arts degree in biblical studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. His Bachelor of Arts degree in political science is from St. Olaf College. He is also a graduate of the Air Command & Staff College and the Air War College.

He has taught legal history and church history at law schools and seminaries. He currently serves as a professer of constitutional law and related subjects at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Faulkner University, Montgomery, Alabama, where his students have twice given him the Outstanding Professor Award. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Birmingham Theological Seminary. A constitutional attorney and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Colonel Eidsmoe has also taught church history and other subjects in various seminaries.

He has authored 12 books, including Christianity & the Constitution, Columbus & Cortez, and the video series titled The Institute on the Constitution. A Second Degree Black Belt with the American Taekwondo Foundation, Colonel Eidsmoe also serves as Regional Representative for the Gospel Martial Arts Union, is an avid horseman and skier, and tries to get 8 hours of sleep every week.

John Eidsmoe brings to this study the combined disciplines of the soldier, jurist, theologian, and historian. A retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and a Colonel in the Alabama State Defense Force, Eidsmoe is an Adjunct Professor for the Oak Brook College of Law & Government Policy, for the Handong International Law School in South Korea, and for the Institute of Lutheran Theology.

Reviews

[Dave Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first couple chapters were a helpful read for their approach upon theology and scriptures insight themes of government and Bible. The rest of the book is badly dated and is strongly republican worldview which doesn’t apply if you are anywhere outside of US. It’s a nice history with bias perspective but it gets 3 stars for first few chapters. The rest is skippable

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A conservative approach to Biblical politics

[Jack Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy John Eidsmoe's style in writing this book as he applies scripture to today's social problems. Without condemning anyone, John logically and intelligently states a case from a humanistic point of view and then a Biblical one. He backs his opinions with sound historical evidence and moral conviction. I quote and share a few of his comments:

“The framers were realists; they recognized that the best constitution in the world could be distorted and destroyed by men determined to do so.”

“Source of national strength. By providing leadership, guidance, restraint, security, and values, the family unit promotes the greatness of the nation. Should the family fail in these responsibilities, the nation will suffer as a result.”

“A graduate can be academically excellent but morally and spiritually bankrupt. We need to consider these dimensions in education as well.”

[Edward]

“In Gen. 11 we have an attempt to build the first ‘United Nations’ building (Gen. 11:4), which kept the people together in a one-world government instead of spreading them out as national entities as God had intended. In Gen. 11:5-9, God frustrated the building of the tower by causing them to speak different languages, and then reaffirmed nationalism: Gen. 11:9. God further reaffirms nationalism in Deut. 32:8 and Acts 17:26. National entities will continue even during Christ’s millennial rule on earth (Isa. 2:4; 66:18; Rev. 12:5; 20:3,8), and perhaps even in heaven (Rev. 21:24,26). Nationalism is God’s order for the human race.” ~ John Eidsmoe, God & Caesar: Political Faith & Political Action

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.