My family has been involved with this program that provides shelter for the homeless in the winters here, by getting different churches to volunteer a week at a time- opening the buildings and providing meals/security/etc. [It's really an AWESOME program, and great to see how much the community supports it]
I was assisting my stepmom paint the kitchen/cafe area of the church leading the efforts- and I overheard the pastor complaining about the licensing procedures with the health department and such.
He sighed and said "i'm giving in to Satan"
and I thought to myself... he must be referring to the complaining...
but then he continued by clarifying.. 'the state is Satan.'
and I got confused.
"It's the church's responsibility to feed the poor, and why should the state have any say in it? Jesus didn't need a permit to feed the 5000." He said.
To be perfectly honest, I don't know the whole story... but I was a little offended... and it struck me as a little incorrect.
And I will admit-- my Biblical knowledge is lacking. (I'm working on it.) but it doesn't make sense to me to say that the gov't (that pays disabilities and soc. security and welfare and such) should have no oversight of an organization providing for the needs of the poor and homeless.
I do believe that one day the Church will be able and WILLING to absolutely provide for those in need, without any assistance from a secular governing body.
But in the meantime, here's my question:
How much autonomy should a church (as an organization) have from the political/legal governing body? -Biblical references would be helpful-
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