Stay In Your Lane - Church, State, And Family
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Many people are familiar with the two categories of church and
state. It is often believed that this phrase
of “church and state” originates from the constitution. But this is not the case. It was a term coined by Thomas Jefferson
where he talked about a wall of separation between the church and the
state. That is to say, in the United
States, there would be no national church on the one hand, and on the other
hand, the government would not interfere with the rights of citizens to have a
free religious conscience.
Now, we Lutherans call the church and the state the ‘right’ and
‘left-hand’ kingdoms. If you can recall,
Jesus also makes this distinction between these two with His famous words,
“Render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
In America, while we are somewhat familiar with the terms of
church and state, we are not quite as familiar with what is called the “three
estates.” Yes, the “three estates,” or
three hierarchies.
According to Martin Luther, all of our human lives are ordered
across these three different spheres. You
cannot escape these three spheres because they provide structure to all our
relationships and interactions. They are
how God gives, orders, and protects life!
They are a part of the fabric of life.
So, what are these three estates specifically? You know two of
them already – the church and the state.
However, the third is the family.
And so, the three hierarchies that are overseen by God are the family,
the state, and the church.
Over the next three weeks, we are going to be looking at each of
these three estates, with tonight providing a bit more of a bird’s eye view on
this topic.
To get started, we must understand that the family at its most
basic level are parents and children. (Obviously, we can think of the family a bit
more broadly to include grandparents, uncles, and aunts as well.) And so, with parents and children, the family
is the place where husbands, wives, and children are loved, provided for, and
shown mercy. For example, when a parent
goes to work to make a paycheck, this occurs within the estate of the family.
When a parent cooks a good meal to nourish a hungry stomach, this occurs within
the estate of the family. When a father discipline’s his son or a mother
teaches her daughter, this occurs within the estate of the family. Even when a worker puts in an honest day of
work for his boss, this too occurs within the estate of the family. The family
is the one place where individuals – like you and me – should give and receive
mercy, love, care, food, drink, housing, clothing, shoes, home, an honest day’s
work, and so forth. The family is where
mercy is granted, and care is provided.
Secondly, the state, at its most basic level, consists of rulers
and citizens. (Obviously, we can think of princes, governors, presidents, judges, senators,
state officials, citizens, and taxpayers as a part of this estate as well.)
Now, between citizens and rulers, the state is the place where anarchy is kept
at bay, order is upheld, lawlessness is punished, justice is upheld, and peace
is maintained. So, for example, when a
judge sends someone to jail for a crime, this occurs within the sphere of the
state. When you are picked up for
speeding, like I was two weeks ago, this is the state keeping good order. When
the National Guard is sent to keep civil rest, this is the state fulfilling its
calling. The state enforces order, justice, and peace.
And finally, the church. The church, at its most basic level, consists of clergy and laity. (Obviously, we can think of pastors, bishops, elders, acolytes, Sunday School Teachers, and parishioners as a part of this estate as well). For example, when pastors preach the Word, administer the Sacraments, and parishioners receive - this is happening in the estate of the church. When you are sick in the hospital, and a deaconess comes to pray for you, and then a pastor comes and serves you communion, this is the estate of the church. The church is where morals and forgiveness are given.
Again, we have three separate
estates, three spheres. They are
different. They are distinct from each
other. They should not be mixed as they
have different ways in which they work to bless us. The family is about mercy and care. The state is about order and justice. The church is about morals and
forgiveness.
But, as you know, life is not
perfect. Families fail. Pastors fail.
And the state fails. They often
drop the ball, which results in one of the other estates trying to pick up the
slack. Or, sometimes one of the estates
will swerve out of their lane into another estate’s lane, which will bring
about further confusion and conflict.
And so, for example, when a family
fails, sometimes the government will step into the sphere of the family to try
and fill the void of failing parents.
The state will become mom and dad.
And let us not let the church off
the hook so easily. Pastors are often
tempted to want to rule their churches and society like politicians. Pastors will get bored with the Word and
Sacraments and will want to swing the sword of the state to wield power and
effect immediate change.
Politicians too, instead of seeking
to keep order and justice, well, they would rather pontificate from podiums about
morals, as if they were pastors. Politicians love the drama of trying to be a
Messiah while also being a parent as well.
The point being, when the
government attempts to shape the church ethically, conflict erupts. When the family stops giving mercy, love, and
care to family members, the government begins to meddle in the estate of the
family, and conflict erupts. And instead of pastors casting forgiveness into
the ears of parishioners, when they instead swing the government’s sword, well,
conflict erupts.
And it is just not those who are in
authority that mess this up. Too often,
parishioners run to politicians to tell them what they want to hear. In other words, parishioners will not like what
they hear from the church, so they will go to the state to be affirmed in
things that the state has no business weighing into. And tragically, bad things will happen in the
family, which will result in family members blaming the church for failures in
the family, when the church is not the same estate of the family.
The point being, there are three
estates. These estates are not
curses. They are not against each
other. They are not ways in which the
Lord wishes to imprison us. But instead,
God desires to bless and provide for His creation through families, the state,
and the church.
Clergy in the church are called to
tend, shepherd, and feed the people entrusted to their care.
Politicians are called to protect,
keep order, and maintain justice for their citizens.
And, as we heard in tonight’s
reading from Titus Chapter 2 and elsewhere in the Scriptures, parents are
called to care for, provide for, and raise their children.
So, whether you are a parent, pastor,
or the president, never forget that these are separate spheres – different estates
with different functions. And as family
members, parishioners, and citizens, remember that you belong to all three
estates. Your whole life is ordered by
these spheres, as the Lord God provides mercy, order, and grace to you through
these estates.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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