Church And State Relations In Pauline Epistles - Its Implications For Religion And Political In Mizoram

This book has mapped out the relationship between the Church and State from the setting of the Greco-Roman world. It also beautifully brought to light the socio-political context of the Roman Empire. In the socio-political milieu of the text, it skillfully unearths Paul's exhortation to Christians to be subservient to rulers and authorities acknowledging the sovereignty of God.

This book will be immensely influential and effective in developing the perception of religion and politics, the involvement of the Church in political dealings and the prophetic role of the Church for the overall well-being and development of the society especially for the people of Mizoram.

Rev. R. Lalrinliana is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod. He obtained his B. Th (2003) and B. D. (2006) degrees from Aizawl Theological College, Durtlang, Mizoram and M. Th. (2017) degree from The United Theological College, Bangalore. Both institutions are affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University). After serving as a Pastor for 7 years in Mizoram and Nepal, he joined the Faculty of Aizawl Theological College in 2019. He is presently Assistant Professor in the Department of Biblical Studies and teaches New Testament.

He has published 3 books in Mizo, namely Bible Hriatzauna Puitu (Bible General Knowledge), Bible Chang Zawnawlna (Bible Concordance), Paula leh A Zirtirnate (The Life and Teachings of Paul) and 1 book in Nepali- The Revelation of God in the New Testament.

It is an immense pleasure for me to write a foreword to the book entitled Church and State Relations in Pauline Epistles: Its Implications for Religion and Politics in Mizoram which is the outcome of a sincere and careful examination of Paul's epistles to the Romans and the Corinthians, undertaken by Rev. R. Lalrinliana, a faculty member of Aizawl Theological College in the Department of Biblical Studies (New Testament).

In this book the author has mapped out the relationship between the Church and State from the setting of the Greco-Roman world and has beautifully brought to light the socio-political context of the Roman Empire. In the socio-political milieu of the text, the author skillfully unearths Paul's exhortation to Christians to be subservient to rulers and authorities acknowledging the sovereignty of God.

In today's context of politicization of religion, communal politics, questions regarding church and state relations, dissatisfaction and tendency of rebellion against ruling authorities and to what extent the Church should be involved in the State, this book will be immensely influential and effective in developing the perception of religion and politics, the involvement of the Church in political dealings and the prophetic role of the Church for the overall wellbeing and development of the society especially for the people of Mizoram.

This book traces Church and State relations in Pauline undisputed epistles Romans and Corinthians from the milieu of the Greco- Roman world. The researcher applied Social-Scientific approach as it agrees with the texts and the social world of the early Christians. The first century socio-political context of Roman Empire was influenced and maintained by the elite, the high class people. The Roman imperial ideology and theology espoused people to be more submissive to Roman Empire as it owed legal help and protection. Furthermore, the practice of the system of hierarchy in the Roman Empire won over the conquered people to become more submissive to the rulers and authorities.

The Social-Scientific approach with a critical-exegetical lens reveals that the first Christians did not necessarily foster resistance, but rather encouraged people to live under the rulers with obedience and submission to the ruling authorities for the welfare of the State. This shows that there was no idea of separation of Church and State in the early century as the Christians also enjoyed their privileged status whereas the conflicting situations within the Christian community at Corinth emphasizes the necessity of subordinating State as wisdom of God had to be motivating factors for the characters and minds of the people and the society. This book also highlights that Paul exhorts Christians to willingly submit themselves to the ruling authorities with their own conscience believing that the rulers are accountable to God. Furthermore, they are reminded that all powers and authority on earth are descended from God.