Caesar and the Church: A Biblical Study of Government and the Church

“RENDER UNTO CAESAR WHAT IS CAESAR’S!” BUT WHAT IS CAESAR’S? “OBEY CAESAR UNLESS IT’S SINFUL” HAS BECOME AN ALMOST UNIVERSAL INTERPRETATION OF ROMANS 13. BUT IS THAT CORRECT? WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SAYS, “JUMP!” DO WE SIMPLY SAY, “HOW HIGH?”

Since the arrival of Covid-19, governments around the world have been imposing mandates, lockdowns, and other restrictions. Churches were told to close, or, if they could remain open, to do so outside, or with masks, or social distancing, or without singing, or in limited numbers, or even all of the above. And yet despite that the response from churches has been incredibly varied.

CAESAR AND THE CHURCH takes us on a brief overview through the biblical teaching on authority, and in particular how it relates to the relationship between Caesar (that is, civil government) and the Church.

"Anthony Forsyth has biblically considered the issues of both divine and governmental authority, and he has written a remarkably clear and helpful overview of the topic. I know it will be a great encouragement to pastors and lay people alike as we all attempt to respond righteously to so many unexpected threats to the liberty we enjoy in Christ.”
— John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California; Chancellor, The Master’s University and Seminary

“Forsyth’s prudent analysis of scripture shows this truth: all power comes from Christ, all authority is His alone, and the legitimate authority delegated to the state therefore must protect the Church and the Christian to exercise our faith...Politicians will clash, petty tyrants will come and go, but truth never changes. This book will teach you how to stand even more firmly in the truth that Christ, not Caesar, is the head of the Church.”
— Jenna Ellis, Attorney for John MacArthur and Grace Community Church

“This brief work was extremely helpful to me personally. I also appreciate that it was written with the kind heart of a pastor.”
— Paul Washer, Founder and Missions Director of HeartCry Missionary Society