About secularism in the new testament

Secularism in the New Testament refers to the idea that the Christian faith is not necessarily tied to a specific political or social order, and that the gospel message can be applied to all people, regardless of their cultural or societal context.

In the New Testament, Jesus and his followers did not establish a theocratic state, where the church would rule over the state. Instead, they focused on spreading the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and establishing a community of believers who would live according to the teachings of Jesus.

The New Testament does not provide a clear definition of secularism, but it does contain several passages that suggest a separation between the spiritual and the temporal, and that the kingdom of God is not limited to a specific political or social order.

Here are a few examples:

1. Matthew 22:21 - Jesus says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." This passage suggests that there is a distinction between the spiritual and the temporal, and that Christians should not confuse the two.
2. Romans 13:1-7 - Paul writes that Christians should submit to the authorities, but also that they should not use their authority to oppress others. This passage suggests that the state has a legitimate role to play in maintaining order and justice, but that Christians should not use their faith to justify violence or oppression.
3. 1 Corinthians 2:2 - Paul writes that he did not come to proclaim the message of God in wisdom or eloquence, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. This passage suggests that the message of the gospel is not dependent on human wisdom or eloquence, but on the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Philippians 3:20-21 - Paul writes that our citizenship is in heaven, and that we are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to appear. This passage suggests that Christians are not primarily citizens of this world, but of the kingdom of God, and that our ultimate allegiance is to God.

These passages suggest that the New Testament does not provide a clear definition of secularism, but that it does contain principles that are consistent with the idea of a separation between the spiritual and the temporal.

In the early Christian church, the concept of secularism was not fully developed, and the relationship between the church and the state was often complex and nuanced. However, as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the church began to develop a more distinct identity and to articulate its relationship to the state.

In the 4th century, the Christian emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christians freedom to worship and established Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. This marked the beginning of a period of close ties between the church and the state, and the development of a Christian empire.

However, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the relationship between the church and the state became more complex and nuanced. The Protestant Reformation, which began in the 16th century, emphasized the importance of individual faith and the authority of Scripture, and led to a greater separation between the church and the state.

In the modern era, the concept of secularism has become more prominent, and many Christians have come to see the separation of church and state as a necessary condition for the free exercise of faith. However, the relationship between the church and the state remains complex and nuanced, and there is ongoing debate about the role of religion in public life.