Abstract
The relationship of the church to social and political concerns within communities has been a continuing issue for church leaders since the
beginning of the Christian movement. Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:15-22 over the problem of Caesar vs. God has often been interpreted to mean that a definite distinction exists between the secular and sacred. The Apostle Paul offered his own solution in Romans 13. In this passaage, Paul begins by maintaining, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” For Paul, the church and its people were not to engage in any form of conflict with the secular government. If he is taken seriously at this point, it is difficult, if not impossible, to use Paul as a frame of reference for initiating a program of social policy reform.