Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Church and State: Questions and Answers

What does "Render unto Caesar" mean according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's famous statement "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" establishes the Christian's dual responsibility. He emphasizes that Christians should be responsible citizens: "It is a fallacy to say that the Christian is to have no interest in politics or in social affairs." He states clearly, "We are all to be citizens in this world" and explains that Christ "told them to pay their taxes." However, Lloyd-Jones stresses that while Christians must be "obedient, law-abiding citizens, and indeed be an example of that to everybody else," these earthly matters must not become central or obsessive. The key is balance - fulfilling civic duties while maintaining proper spiritual priorities.

Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize the word "AND" in Christ's teaching about Caesar and God?

Lloyd-Jones identifies the word "and" as the church's crucial message to the modern world. He declares: "The great task confronting the church at the moment is to shout one little word. What is it? It's the word, and." He explains that while the world is preoccupied with "Caesar's things" - politics, economics, culture - the church must proclaim "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and, and, and to God the things that are God's." This "and" represents "the thing that the world knows nothing about. The thing that even the church seems to be forgetting." Lloyd-Jones argues that in our "materialistic age" and "sophisticated age," Christians must be "experts on the things of which they are entirely ignorant" - namely, the spiritual realm and our obligations to God.

How does Lloyd-Jones view the relationship between Christianity and political/social activism?

Lloyd-Jones takes a balanced but firm position on Christian involvement in politics and social issues. He acknowledges these are "perfectly legitimate" concerns, stating "it is the business of Christians to behave as citizens in the world, to feel a sense of responsibility with regard to what is happening." However, he strongly warns against making these concerns central: "We mustn't be over-preoccupied by them." He criticizes the trend where "more and more evangelicals as well as others put these things into the center" and everyone is "talking about the Christian attitude towards politics, or education, or culture." His key principle is: "The Church is not to allow her task and function to be governed by people's questions." These matters "have their place, a little apologetic place, not the central place."

What contrast does Lloyd-Jones draw between Caesar's power and God's power?

Lloyd-Jones acknowledges Caesar's considerable earthly power: "If you disobey Caesar, you'll be punished...He can even take your life from you." However, he emphasizes the limitation of earthly power, quoting Christ's words: "Fear not them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will tell you who you must fear. Fear him who, having killed the body, hath power to cast into hell." While Caesar is mortal - "Princes and lords may flourish or may fade" - God is "the everlasting God...the one without beginning and without end...the creator of the ends of the earth." Lloyd-Jones reminds us that "we're all in his hands" and "our times are in his hands." The ultimate reality is that "our destiny is in the hands of God" who has power over eternal judgment.

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about man's true nature and the "image" upon humanity?

Lloyd-Jones presents a powerful moment in Christ's interaction with the Pharisees. After asking about Caesar's image on the coin, Christ "lifted up his head and he looked at them" and asked, "Whose image is on you?" Lloyd-Jones explains this reveals "the whole Christian biblical teaching and conception with regard to man." Against the modern view of man as "nothing but chemistry and physics" or "a purely political animal" or "an economic unit," Christianity proclaims that man is "a creature created in the image and the likeness of God." He declares: "Man's not an animal...Man was made in the image and likeness of God. He was made to be a companion of God. He was meant for fellowship with God." This divine image makes man "capable of communion with the everlasting and eternal God."

What are the limitations of what the state can provide versus what God provides?

Lloyd-Jones acknowledges the state's legitimate benefits: "It can give us wages...education...housing...technology...look after our health...provide pleasure for us...give us protection up to a point...give us pensions." However, he emphasizes "there is a very great limit to what the state can do for any one of us." He asks pointed questions: "What do you do with your own solitude? What do you do when you meet disappointment in life?...What can it do for misery and unhappiness and loneliness? What's it got to give us when we are lying on our deathbeds?" In contrast, God offers forgiveness of sins, peace of conscience, adoption as His children, and eternal life. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christianity makes one "totally independent of circumstances" while the non-Christian "is entirely dependent upon circumstances."

How should the church respond to the world's current preoccupations according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones strongly opposes the church adapting its message to worldly interests. He criticizes the approach where "we're told people today are not interested in preaching...your business, we're told, is to find out what they are interested in." He rejects this strategy: "When the church begins to talk about our discovering what the world is interested in, and what the world wants to know, she has moved entirely from the position of her blessed Lord and Master." Instead, the church must proclaim eternal truths regardless of contemporary interests. He states firmly: "We are not here to discuss art or literature or politics or evolution or any one of these questions. They have their place, a little apologetic place, not the central place."

What is the "real tragedy" of the modern world according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones identifies the fundamental problem: "The real tragedy of the world tonight is that it has forgotten the supernatural, that it has forgotten God. Man is in the center. Man's interests, man's questions, man's enthusiasms, man's obsessions." He explains that while the world was troubled in Christ's time and "full of problems," the greatest tragedy was "a world refusing to listen to Him, rejecting Him" - the only one who could solve their problems. This pattern continues today: "men and women are prepared to listen to almost anything, save to the message concerning this blessed person." The result is that people are "over-preoccupied with lesser things in life" while ignoring "the only things that are absolutely essential."

What does Lloyd-Jones say about the Christian's independence from circumstances?

Lloyd-Jones presents this as one of Christianity's most glorious aspects: "There is nothing that I know of that is more glorious about this Christian life and salvation as the way that it makes you totally independent of circumstances." He contrasts this with "the real tragedy of the non-Christian is that he's entirely dependent upon circumstances." When economic hardship comes and material comforts disappear, the non-Christian is "thrown back upon yourself" with nothing. But the Christian is "lifted to a new realm" and "no longer dependent upon circumstance and chance." The believer has "a well of water within him, springing up into everlasting life" and can say with Paul that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is the church's supreme duty in the current dark hour according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones concludes with an urgent call: "The supreme duty of every Christian at this hour is to pray for a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God." He emphasizes that even the true message is insufficient without divine power: "Here is the message, but even the message is not enough alone. It must be in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The church must pray that "our gospel comes to people, not in word only...but in power and in the Holy Ghost, and with much assurance." He calls believers to "pray without ceasing that at this dark hour, God will revive his work again and fill us as people and especially preachers with the power of the Holy Ghost." Only through spiritual power can the church effectively "proclaim these unsearchable riches of Christ."